12/19/2024
It has come to our attention that many of you did not see the email, from Dr Marotta, that went out in early December.
It's a long one, but well worth the read.
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Westshore Family Dental
(440) 835-2600
28040 Center Ridge Rd. , Westlake, OH 44145
Dear Patient and Friend,
As it is often said, anniversaries are a time of reflection. They encourage us to look back on our lives, our accomplishments, and our relationships through the years. Anniversaries are also a time of looking forward and perhaps setting a new direction in our lives.
Yes, time flies! This year marked my fortieth year as a dentist and the thirty-fifth year since the founding of my practice in Westlake. As I look back, I am filled with gratitude for a career of remarkable experiences and so many rewarding relationships with my patients, my team, and fellow professionals.
I suppose you may know where this is leading, I am announcing my full retirement at this time.
It has been a difficult decision, as I have been very fortunate to enjoy good health and an interest and vigor to continue practicing. But as I have recently passed yet another first digit change of my age, it has given me pause to consider how to best spend the coming years. I’ve heard it said that you just know when its time. I feel it is time for me. I will miss my “dental life,” but Kathleen and I are looking forward to the next phase of our lives and all the plans we have laid out for it.
It has been my greatest honor to serve you all, your children, your grandchildren and in a few cases, even your great grandchildren. That is really the most rewarding part of my years in practice, to care for generation after generation of many families. Your loyalty to our practice has truly been an inspiration and a gift.
A generational practice, one where individuals and families are served by the same doctor over decades. A place where you feel they know you. That is what I hope will be the legacy, if you will, of my time in practice and one that I know will continue for this office under the leadership of my successor, Dr. Chris Chapman.
You may not be aware but, in today’s world, retiring dentists are often leaving practice by selling to private equity groups. These corporations form a chain of offices in a geographic area. They are usually staffed with younger or more transient dentists who are not necessarily committed to long term employment with the company.
It has been my goal, at retirement, to hand this practice off to an individual and not a retail dental chain. I wanted to continue this generational concept of care, one that is becoming increasingly difficult to find in dentistry and is now virtually non-existent in medicine. Years ago, my selection of a dentist to join me in practice was very intentional. I envisioned the correct person, to one day succeed me, as someone with the same values and philosophy as myself. I found that person in Dr. Chapman.
Dr. Chapman and I have been associated for ten years now. He assumed ownership of the practice three years ago. Today, at least half the patients in our office see him as their primary dentist. Most of our patients who have generally seen me over the years have at least met him and many have received treatment from him.
Our backgrounds are very similar. We are both native to the greater Cleveland area. After dental school, we both pursued advanced education in the form of a hospital based dental residency. These residencies are not a requirement to practice dentistry and there are limited positions only available to the top dental students in their respective classes. These one-year programs provide dental school graduates with broader exposure to advanced procedures as well as additional training in such areas as anesthesiology, surgery, and medical assessment.
We both have a commitment to ongoing dental education to stay up to date on the latest developments in the field. We also share a philosophy of providing treatment in a caring atmosphere with the best interest of the patient at heart. We believe in advising our patients of the optimum level of dental services available but also respect their readiness for treatment and their budgets.
Dr. Chapman is an excellent dentist and an ethical provider. He delivers care in a compassionate and gentle manner. He is a family man, and he and his wife, Lauren, are active members of the local community. Lauren has become a vital member of our team as well, often helping out at the front desk or behind the scenes.
Of course, you all know our wonderful staff: Heather, Julie, Gail, Brigitte, Erika, Erica, Holli, Bonnie, and Danielle. Most of them have been with the practice long term, some over twenty years. Their loyalty and commitment to this office is also a tremendous gift and one that I’m sure will continue, going forward.
They are highly skilled and informative. They are a special group of people who truly love caring for their patients and take a personal interest in their well-being. They are kind not only to our patients but also toward each other. They are fun people to work with and a day doesn’t go by that the office isn’t filled with infectious laughter. I will sorely miss them in my daily interactions. Kathleen and I love them all.
As I turn the page to my next chapter, I see Dr. Chapman as the next generational dentist for this practice. For those of you not acquainted with Dr. Chapman, I highly recommend him to you as your dentist. He is my dentist.
In closing, I just want to convey my heartfelt thank you for your patronage over the years, for all the referrals of friends and family to our office, and especially for your friendship.
Again, it has been my greatest honor and privilege to serve you.
Sincerely,
Mike Marotta
