To the Editor:

After over 25 years of practicing pediatrics, almost entirely in Newtown, I have needed to reduce my clinical hours seeing patients in the office, drastically. Auerbach Pediatrics is my second home and I will not be fully retiring in the near future.

However, as many of you may know, I sustained a spinal cord injury over 10 years ago. Having undergone a total of six neck and back surgeries — and most recently two shoulder reconstructions — it has become increasingly difficult for me to manage the office and see the volume of patients to which I was previously accustomed.

Many of you have met APRN Kristen Grabarz and Dr Stacey Langsam, who joined our team in October and January, respectively. Though a new provider, Kristen has been with our practice as a nurse and manager for over a decade; and Dr Langsam has over 15 years of experience practicing pediatrics in the Waterbury area. They have joined Dr Corinna Soriano, now our most senior physician, and Allene Troy, physician assistant and certified lactation consultant (and myself). Together, they have a strong background and robust experience providing comprehensive pediatric care that make me confident “handing over the reins.”

I will continue to see as many as patients as I can — from newborns to college-aged patients — limited only by my physical ability. While there may be a long wait, because of my limited hours, to see me, specifically, I am equally confident that any one of our physicians and healthcare providers has the ability and skillset to provide a standard of care that make me proud.

It has been one of the most difficult decisions I have ever made: to reduce my hours and to admit that I simply cannot do it all anymore. I have tried and struggled over the past two to three years and have not come to this conclusion without due consideration, without struggling, or without a lot of tears. I don’t ever want to fully retire. I simply love my job too much! I hope you will continue to be part of our family … my family!

With humility, as well as with love and appreciation to all the parents that have entrusted us with the care of their children…

Rick Auerbach, MD

Auerbach Pediatrics, LLC

Newtown