Adams physician is leaving

ADAMS — Some southern Jefferson County residents may have to travel farther to receive primary care once Dr. Richard A. Muller moves to Virginia in October.

Although Dr. Muller decided four years ago that he wanted to leave his 10480 Route 11 solo practice, the lack of primary-care physicians in some rural communities led him to wait. Other primary-care options for residents of the southern Jefferson County towns of Adams, Ellisburg, Henderson, Lorraine, Rodman and Worth are to visit the Adams Community Health Center, go to Watertown or travel out of the county.

"It would have been harder for me to leave if I was the only guy here," he said, referring to people having the Adams Community Health Center to lean on. "It did reduce the parochial sense of 'If I leave, what happens?'"

Dr. Muller said he has never had more than two weeks off at a time, because he has been caring for as many as 4,000 patients.

His patients can pick up a letter at his office that informs them of his decision to join the Buckingham Family Medicine practice, which is associated with Martha Jefferson Hospital, Charlottesville, Va. Dr. Muller will merge his practice with the Adams Community Health Center when his closes Oct. 9.

"This makes me feel less guilty," he said. "I'd expect most locals to go there."

The Health Center is run by Carthage Area Hospital. Walter S. Becker, hospital administrator, said he expects to see double the patient volume at the Health Center after Oct. 9, but isn't sure if the center can handle all of Dr. Muller's patients.

Mr. Becker said Dr. Muller is "a very nice man and has a good reputation."

The hospital seeks to expand services at the Health Center. Within the next few weeks, there will be a full-time physical therapist, and eventually a physician or physician assistant will be added. Additional receptionists and nurses might join the Health Center this fall, especially as obstetrical/gynecological services expand.

"We're looking at pediatrics there, as well," Mr. Becker said.

Those of Dr. Muller's patients who don't want to be seen at the Health Center can pick up their records prior to Oct. 9 if they find another physician.

Dr. Muller reflected on the reputation he's had with patients, some of whom have come to Adams from as far as Canton or North Syracuse, saying they all have "been very kind."

One of the biggest reasons he decided to move to Virginia, Dr. Muller said, was that he felt the end of an era for solo practitioners is looming.

"I consider myself a bit of a dinosaur, and I am the last of the dinosaurs," he said. "I didn't see myself continuing much longer in a solo practice."

Dr. Muller started his practice in July 1982 after completing his residency at Hartford (Conn.) Hospital. He graduated from what is now Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, in 1979.

Those who wish to contact Dr. Muller after Oct. 9 can reach him by writing P.O. Box 912, Troy, Va. 22974.