Longtime Eldorado physician, Dr. Albert Bledig, to retire in September

ELDORADO - Dr. Albert Bledig will retire in early September, and the longtime member of the health care community in Eldorado says he will fondly remember his years of medical practice here.

Originally from Galatia, Dr. Bledig came to Eldorado in 1961 after an honorable discharge from the U.S. Army, where he worked in medical services, and graduation from University of Illinois' School of Medicine.

Now, with two weeks until he retires, Dr. Bledig and his wife, Alice, say they've enjoyed their many years of serving the local community.

"This has been his profession, his hobby, and it has become his lifestyle," Alice Bledig says, smiling at her husband. "He's delivered all kinds of babies, worked in the emergency room; he's done it all."

Dr. Bledig is quick to credit Alice with his office's success.

"She's a key part of it," Bledig says. "We wouldn't be here if it wasn't for her."

The Bledigs married in 1957. When Dr. Bledig opened the practice, Alice was his nurse. Through the years she continued her nursing education, also teaching at Southeastern Illinois College at one time. She also earned her doctorate in nursing.

Dr. Bledig said he's seen many changes in medicine since he became a doctor, and some of the greatest advances have been in cardiac health.

"The advances in cardiac care are just amazing. When I was in school at U of I, just doing open heart surgery had about a 50 percent survival rate," he said. "Now, open heart surgery is like having an appendix out.

"Cardiologists can use stents when they used to have to cut the chest open. A lot of those problems can be fixed with a stent. I still think that's amazing."

One of Dr. Bledig's greatest accomplishments, he said, is earning board certification from the American Board of Family Medicine seven times. He was a charter member of the board, earning the distinction in 1971. Each certification, which denotes a high level of medical knowledge, ability and continuing education, is good for seven years.

"I don't think there's too many that have been board certified seven times," Dr. Bledig said. "The examination is difficult. You really have to keep up on it. There's a protocol you have to follow, which includes at least 50 hours of continuing medical education a year. You can take a weekend convention at St. Louis or Chicago, but you have to do it."

According to the most recent numbers from the Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine, only 53 of those charter board diplomates from 1971 - which includes Dr. Bledig - still meet requirements to be board certified.

Though he's proud of his medical accomplishments, Dr. Bledig said his children and his wife are his greatest source of pride. The Bledigs have three children. Sara is a certified public accountant, Stefan has a doctorate and is a researcher at Monsanto, and Sallie is an occupational therapist. He credits Alice with being a positive role model.

"They all looked to her and the example she set, and now they all are successful at what they do," Dr. Bledig said.

"All of our kids have done well, and we're proud of them," Alice added.

Alice also shared a detail many outside of the Eldorado area may not have known: until very recently, Dr. Bledig still made house calls. Although few in frequency, he was one of a limited number of physicians who still made them, she said.

"He started out making house calls, and up until recently, about a year ago, he still made them," Alice said.

Dr. Bledig also served on the Eldorado school board and SIC board of trustees three terms apiece; was on the Fountainview Nursing Home board and president there until it was sold in July. He serves on the Ferrell Hospital board of directors and during the course of his practice, monitored SIU School of Medicine students. The Bledigs also are members of the First Presbyterian Church of Eldorado.

His current nurse is Debbie Sanders. Janet Bartley and Vivian Tate also work for Dr. Bledig.

"We've had good people working for us. I can't say enough good things about them," he said. "Vivian's been here forever, and a lot of the people who've worked for us were recruited when they were in their 50s and worked until they were in their 70s."

The staff, too, has kind words for Dr. and Mrs. Bledig.

"The bottom line is, he's a terrific doctor and she's a terrific lady," Janet Bartley said.

Patients, too, are thinking kind thoughts, though they're sad to see Dr. Bledig retire.

"For 44 years, he's been my doctor," patient Kathy Smith said. "I'm not crying today, but I'm getting ready to next week."

Now, the Bledigs will have more time to travel in their motor home, a pastime they've enjoyed for many years.

"When I hang it up, that's one thing I can do," Dr. Bledig said. "We like that."

He said after a career spanning 55 years, he and Alice consider their patients to be close to them.

"One think I pride myself in is, I've never sued anybody. If someone couldn't pay a bill, I would just write it off. I didn't send bill collectors to anyone's door," he said.

"We've enjoyed it here. Alice and I consider our patients our friends, not just some computer blips."