On November 30, 1972, the West Schuylkill Herald, Tower City, reported on the success of the Tremont Area Medical Committee in convincing Dr. Won Lee to re-locate in the Borough of Tremont, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania. The story points out that the committee had some minor difficulty in recruiting a doctor to the rural area and that one of the possible candidates demanded a guaranteed annual income of $50,000. In this case though, the committee was able to secure a commitment from Dr. Lee, at minor cost which included the providing of a office for his medical practice. The cost of the office was obtained through donations by local residents.
Two articles appeared side-by side in the newspaper:
NEW PHYSICIAN TO OPEN OFFICE IN TREMONT PHARMACY BUILDING
Won Lee, M. D., of Orwigsburg, has agreed to begin the practice of medicine in Tremont just as soon as the location he has selected is ready for occupancy.
Dr. Lee, interviewed by the Tremont Area Medical Committee, chose as the location for his offices an unfinished room in the Tremont Pharmacy building on East Laurel Street, that was used for storage purposes. The committee agreed readily to his choice and made immediate arrangements for the necessary work to be done as quickly as possible.
At a public meeting on Tuesday evening in the Sunday School Room of St. John’s United Methodist Church on Clay Street, it was reported by committee co-chairmen Albert Kutzer, and Dr. Ray N. Leidich, dentist, owner of the property, that the Tremont Electric Company had started that day to install the wiring. Miller’s Plumbing and Heating workers wee already on the premises to do the necessary heating and plumbing work, and Charles H. Klinger, Inc., contractors were due to be there today to start the carpentry work.
Dr. Leidich, and his wife, Dolores Leidich, are giving the office space to Dr. Lee rent free for his first year. Renovation of the area, to provide examiningrooms, consultation room and receptionist office will be paid for by the Tremont Area Medical Fund, which is to be created by voluntary contributions from residents of the area to be served by the new physician.
Donor cards were on hand at Tuesday’s meeting, and most of the people at the meeting took individual cards along home. Donations may be turned in at the Tremont National Bank, depository for the fund…. The Medical Committee… includes Albert Kutzer, Dr. Ray N. Leidich, Helen P. Miller, Joseph Bowers, Robert Adams, all of Tremont; David Eisenhauer and Clyde Oxenrider, of Donaldson; Hans Summer of Newtown; Joseph Fisher of Molleystown; and Gus Mendell of Pine Grove.
Mendell announced that anyone in the Pine Grove area who is unable to get to the newspaper office with a donation may telephone him and he will call at their homes to pick up their contributions.
It is estimated that the cost of renovations for the doctor’s office will be in the neighborhood of $2,500. This is a modest contribution on the part of the public in comparison to the demands by other physicians consulted, one of whom asked for a guaranteed income up to $50,000 per year….
In addition to one year’s free rental, Dr. Leidich will provide all utility services for the year at no charge to Dr. Lee with the exception of his telephone.
Tuesday night’s meeting was attended by a full house, with standing room only available for late-comers, and when Dr. Lee was introduced he was given a rousing round of applause. In light of the fact that the movement to procure a doctor was begun only two weeks earlier at a similar meeting in the same place, and the fact that the appointed committee had acted swiftly and met with what is considered “miraculous” success, they were given a standing vote of thanks and thunderous applause.
The meeting was chaired by Albert Kutzer, and was opened by a prayer offered by Rev. Robert Fortier, pastor of the Tremont United Methodist Parish.
At the conclusion of the meeting, those who attended shook hands and extended their welcome greetings to Dr. Won, and a number of generous cash donations were given to Joseph E. Bowers, who was named treasurer of the Tremont Area Medical Fund.
Checks from donors should be made payable to Tremont Area Medical Fund.
Dr. Lee expressed his desire to repay the committee for the expenditure of its funds when his practice in the area warrants it.
It is anticipated that his quarters will be ready for occupancy in a very short time, certainly before Christmas.
Also, the article with some background information about Dr. Lee:
WON LEE, M. D.
A native of South Korea, Dr. Won Lee is a 1959 graduate of the College of Pharmacy, Choong And University in Seoul, Korea, a 1965 graduate of Catholic Medical College in Seoul, 1965-1966, he served an internship at St. Mary’s Hospital, University Hospital in Seoul, from July 1, 1966 to June 30, 1967, an internship in St. Vincent’s Hospital, Erie, Pennsylvania, July 1, 1967 to June 30, 1970, was resident physician at Good Samaritan Hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio, July 1, 1970, to June 30, 1971, was resident physician in Muhlenberg Hospital, in Plainfield, N. J.
Dr. Lee came to Schuylkill County in 1971, serving as resident physician in Pottsville Hospital from July 1, 1971 to September 23, 1972.
On February 5, 1972, he opened offices for the private practice of medicine at 116 West Market Street, Orwigsburg.
At the public meeting in St. John’s United Methodist Sunday School room on Tuesday evening, Fred C. Hatter, treasurer of the Pottsville Hospital and Warne Clinic, announced that he had consulted Dr. Clayton Barclay, chief radiologist at Pottsville about Dr. Lee, and had received the finest recommendation for Dr. Lee’s professional knowledge and expertise.
In acknowledging his introduction to the people at Tuesday’s meeting, Dr. Lee said that if his services are needed before his offices are ready for occupancy in Tremont, he will be glad to respond to any calls….
He further stated that as soon as his practice her is assured, he will sell his home in Orwigsburg and more to Tremont. In the meantime, he plans to have office hours in Tremont from 1:30 p. m. to as late as 9:00 p. m., if necessary. He also assured his audience that he will make house calls if a patient is not able to come to his Tremont office.
Dr. lee, who is 38, and his wife, are parents of two sons, one 11 years old, the other 2 1/2 years of age.
As soon as he opens his Tremont office and his telephone is installed, his telephone number will be published weekly in the Press-Herald until it can be listed in the 1973 telephone directory.
Patients who obtain their medical records from the office of Dr. J. Philip Robinson [the former physician at Tremont] for the purpose of transferring them to Dr. Lee are asked to leave them at the Tremont Pharmacy, addressed to Dr. Lee. He does not want these records sent to his office in Orwigsburg.
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At the time of the writing of this post, it was not known why Dr. J. Philip Robinson so suddenly left his Tremont practice, leaving the community with such short notice to find a new doctor.
Articles and photo from the West Schuylkill Herald, November 30, 1972, via Newspapers.com.
Corrections and additional information should be added as comments to this post.