By By KATHIE HEMPEL / Niles Daily Star
NILES – Dr. Booker T. Morris is not saying goodbye.
"This is not a closure, it is simply a relocation," the doctor said.
In solo practice in Niles, since 1989, Dr. Morris chose to move his practice to Elkhart, Ind. There, rather than being on call every day, he will be part of a call rotation.
The obstetrician and gynecologist will now share his practice with a midwife and a group of physicians. This will allow the doctor more time for home and church.
"While you don't get a call every night, you don't know whether you will get one or not until the night's over," he said.
When the position in Elkhart became available, the doctor decided it was time to make the move. It does not require he and wife, Clementine, to move from their home in Granger, Ind. This made the decision even more attractive.
"As it is not that far away. It also makes it possible for my patients to come with me. That is why it's a relocation and not goodbye," said Dr. Morris.
Dr. Morris chose obstetrics as his field of practice because he felt most obstetrics patients are fairly young and healthy. He appreciates the new life and hope he delivers to the world.
"It is a happy practice most of the time and allows me to have opportunities to do surgery which I always enjoyed," he said.
Dr. Morris guesses that he has delivered somewhere in the area of 3,000 babies over the years.
The emotional challenge of leaving patients, who cannot follow him to Elkhart, his colleagues and local hospital staff, is the most difficult part of the move, he added. He compares the decision to turning a page in a book.
"You convince yourself this is a new beginning, a new phase in life. You handle the sadness of leaving some of those who have been part of your life for so long by working at maintaining those relationships as best you can," he said.
April 13 will be Dr. Morris' last day at his 24 N. St. Joseph Ave., Niles office. He opens the door to his new practice at 1753 Fulton St. in Elkhart, Ind. on May 1.
"My philosophy is God is on the throne. Whatever happens, I believe the Lord put me where he wants me to be," Dr. Morris said.
The doctor has invited all his patients to join him at his new location. For those who cannot, because of insurance or distance, he has provided a list to assist them in enrolling with any of his Michigan colleagues.