January 18, 2022
Memorial Healthcare Says Goodbye to Longtime Provider
After over 40 years of dedicated service to Memorial Healthcare and the community, Family Medicine physician, Thomas Teal, MD, will be retiring from Memorial Healthcare Family Medicine – Chesaning on Friday, January 21, 2022.
Dr. Teal has served Memorial Healthcare in several leadership positions including the Memorial Healthcare Board of Trustees, Chairperson of the Department of Family Medicine, past President of the Shiawassee Medical Society, Medical Director of Health Support Corporation (now Memorial Medical Associates), Vice President of Quality and Safety, Vice President of Medical Affairs, and Interim Chief Executive Officer.
Throughout his career Dr. Teal received several awards including the Margaret Gulick Humanitarian of the Year award in 2005, the Memorial Healthcare Physician of the Year award in 2015, the Chesaning Chamber of Commerce Distinguished Business Person of the Year in 2014, and was a past Chairperson of the Chesaning Parks and Recreation Commission.
Dr. Teal was also actively involved in numerous volunteering opportunities such as Chairperson of the Valley Ambulance Service (preceded MMR), the Shiawassee Free Medical Clinic and the Saginaw County Chesaning Free Clinic. Dr. Teal grew up in Midland and attended the University of Michigan. After graduating medical school at Wayne State University (1978) and completing his residency at Oakwood Hospital (1978 – 1981) in Dearborn, he opened his practice in Chesaning. Together with his wife, Jeannine, a dentist, they set up both practices at the present site of Pintown Lanes on Saginaw Street. They stayed at this location for five years before buying a city block with an old high school and built the present office at 300 S. Chapman Street in 1986. Dr. Teal joined Memorial Healthcare in 1996 and practiced obstetrics for 15 years and delivered approximately 750 children before stopping.
Dr. Teal has been married for 46 years to his lovely wife, Jeannine Hopfensperger, DDS, and they have two married daughters who are teachers and three active grandsons who live in Virginia and Maryland.
Dr. Teal’s future plans include, staying active with family and looking for ways to engage and contribute to the Chesaning community. He also plans to continue coaching the Chesaning High School tennis team.
When asked what the most difficult thing will be when he retires, Dr. Teal stated, “I love the practice of medicine and I love my interactions with patients and staff. I have had the good fortune to care for patients through generations. I look at those I see in the office as both patients and friends. I think not seeing them daily and not interacting with my staff and colleagues will be the most difficult thing for me.”
In closing, “The practice of medicine has been a gift to me. I have been continually challenged to provide high quality care. Practicing in a small community has been a gift to both Jeannine and me. We have been given the opportunity to provide care to our fellow community members to the best of our abilities and have been able to share in numerous close, challenging, nourishing, and invaluable relationships with our community members. We are grateful,” said Dr. Teal.
Thank you and best wishes on your retirement Dr. Teal. You will be missed!