Posted: 8/2/06
After 19 years, Dr. Fleischmann will end clinical practice here
By Jane Palen
Managing Editor
After moving to the city in 1987, Dr. Alan Fleischmann often said that he would never practice anywhere but Caledonia. That statement holds true even though he will be giving up his practice here in October.
But heís not leaving the Caledonia Clinic to practice elsewhere. On November 1, Dr. Fleischmann will be vice-president of medical affairs with responsibility for medical excellence in the Franciscan Skemp organization. That position, and the other administrative roles he has gradually taken on during his tenure, offer exciting opportunities for the physician, but will leave no time for him to see patients here. His last day at the clinic will be October 26.
Dr. Fleischmann, his wife Vanessa, mother-in-law Bunty; and children Diana and James made a transatlantic move here from his previous practice in London. From the first time they visited, they felt that Caledonia would be a wonderful place to live. They never regretted their decision.
In the intervening years, Diana and James attended school here, and Vanessa became involved in a number of local organizations. She was instrumental in the formation of Caledonia Green, participated in the Minnesota Design Teamís visit, and had a role in creating Scottish Heritage Night. When he wasnít practicing medicine, Dr. Fleischmann was busy compiling the history of Caledonia and published a series of books called ìCaledonia Pride.î That project culminated in the publication of a volume of more than 1,000 pages which was published for the sesquicentennial in 2004.
In recent years, the family has gone through some changes. Mrs. Chambers passed away, and James and Diana grew up and moved away. James lives in Austin, Texas and is a musician with Dunkirk Spirit. Diana recently graduated from St. Olaf College.
Dr. Fleischmannís administrative role with the Franciscan Skemp and the Mayo Health Systems grew gradually. The Fleischmanns decided they needed a smaller home, and found what they were looking for in La Crosse, which is conveniently located for Dr. Fleischmannís work which was being divided between Caledonia, Rochester, and La Crosse. They moved in April of this year.
Dr. Fleischmann said that even with the move, he expected to maintain a practice in Caledonia.
But Dr. Fleischmannís leadership in the area of service excellence led to the creation of the new position that he will hold. It was an outgrowth of his recent role in leading a strategic planning team that designed a service excellence program for Franciscan Skemp. Once implemented, the program will create a process to improve patient care.
In addition, Dr. Fleischmann will continue to lead provider-patient workshops for the Mayo Health System, and continue to work with regional practice development, referral services and outreach and complementary/integrative medicine within Franciscan Skemp.
Although he is excited about the new challenge, Dr. Fleischmann said giving up his patients will be difficult. There have been lots of hugs and tears since he began telling his patients. It will be hard as well to say goodbye to his staff and partners, many of whom have been with him for a number of years.
ìWe built that clinicî said Dr. Fleischmann. Deb Miller, a family practice nurse practitioner, joined the practice in 1988, and Dr. John Cochrane has been at the clinic since 1991. Dr. Ryan Brenza joined the clinic staff a year ago, and a search is underway for another physician.
Itís ironic, said Dr. Fleischmann, that the reason he got involved in administration was to help the local practice, and now it is the reason he is giving it up.
ìThe only reason I got into administration was to protect Caledoniaís health care system. Itís important to have a rural health care system. Iím acutely aware of that importance.î
But he believes his role will ultimately result in better health care services for Caledonia and the 13 other locations that are part of the Franciscan Skemp network.
ìIt will have a broader impact,î he explained.
ìItís what the organization needs. Itís the right thing.î
Vanessa added that the couple will maintain the many relationships they built over the years.ìCaledonia was the center of our universe,î she said. ìWe loved it.î
It was the people, she said, that made it such a wonderful place to live.
Caledonia Argus
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