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Metcalf to retire after 60 years and nearly 8,000 babies delivered

A FULFILLING CAREER — Weirton Medical Center held a surprise birthday and retirement party Thursday for Dr. John Metcalf. Metcalf was greeted by past co-workers and family members, including Sharon Evans, who served as his nurse for 12 years at WMC. -- Amy Neeley

WEIRTON — On July 1, 1959, Dr. John Metcalf saw his first obstetrics and gynecology patient at his private practice in Steubenville. On July 1, 2019 he will see his last, ending a 60-year career that saw the doctor deliver almost 8,000 babies in the Ohio Valley.

The staff of Weirton Medical Center, current and past co-workers, and his family surprised Metcalf on Thursday with a birthday and retirement party in the hospital boardroom.

Dr. Jasbir Singh Makar, cardiovascular disease and internal medicine specialist, spoke about his long-time friendship and working relationship with Metcalf.

“Fifty-two years ago, July 1, 1967, I was lucky enough to meet this man,” Makar said. “I could have never asked for a better friend or teacher. There is no one with a more contagious smile or zeal and zest for helping others than this man.”

Makar told a story of how he had only been in the area a short time and only flown three times in his life, when Metcalf offered to take him up in his personal plane to get an aerial view of the then-Ohio Valley Hospital where they both worked.

“There we were up above the hospital and he takes his hands off the controls and told me to fly the plane,” he said. “That is how he was. If he saw something in you, he trusted you. I did not fly that plane.”

Makar ended the story saying that while he did not take control of the aircraft, he did take over when Metcalf would offer him the chance to assist or even finish a procedure in the operating room.

“May we all have a great career and full head of hair like you when we retire,” Makar added.

Sharon Evans was another co-worker celebrating Metcalf at the party.

“I was his nurse for 12 years,” she said. “I kept saying I was going to wait for him to retire first, but he held on too long. When I think of him the words ‘love,’ ‘respect,’ and ‘admire’ are what comes to mind.”

Blanche Williams helped Metcalf start the Jefferson County Family Planning Clinic in Steubenville, now known as the Ohio Valley Health Center back in 1971.

Williams said Metcalf called her and told her he wanted to start a place where low income and uninsured women could get the health care they needed.

“He is what you want in a doctor,” she said. “He never said no to a patient that I asked him to see.”

Former executive director of the clinic, Ann Quillen, said Metcalf always treated any patient at the clinic with full respect and made sure they got a complete exam.

“He was always kind to the women and they got the very best care he could give,” she said.

In addition to all his work in the medical field, Metcalf also had a full family life. He and his wife Theresa, are the parents of seven children; the great-grandparents of 26 –20 of whom Metcalf delivered himself; and 19 great- great-grandchildren.

His son, Greg Metcalf, spoke to the crowd through tears describing his father.

“He is more than my father, he is my hero,” he said. “If I can just be half the man that he is, I will be great.”

As for John Metcalf, he told the crowd he was sick recently so he needed to make up a few appointments, and then on July 1 his only boss will be Theresa.

“(My schedule) is to get up, shave, get dressed, eat breakfast and then take my first nap of the day,” he said.

(Neeley can be contacted at aneeley @heraldstaronline.com)

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