Charlie Rasmussen, DO, family medicine physician at the Texas County Memorial Hospital Medical Complex in Houston, has resigned for personal reasons, the hospital announced Friday.
Rasmussed, who joined TCMH in August 2007, will depart from the organization on Aug. 12. He intends to continue working in the TCMH emergency department as needed.
“Dr. Rasmussen has decided it’s time to move on and explore other practice options,” said Wes Murray, chief executive officer at TCMH. “We are a better organization for having Dr. Rasmussen’s services at TCMH for last five-and-a-half years. Dr. Rasmussen has been an important part of this organization and (his wife) Stacey has been very involved in our Healthcare Foundation and with Hospice of Care. We will miss them.”
Murray explained that he and Rasmussen have agreed to “leave the door open” should Rasmussen wish to return to TCMH in the future.
“Recruiting for rural areas is very difficult and retaining a physician is even harder,” Murray said. “There’s a lot of competition for good physicians with the vast shortage of physicians.”
Rasmussen apologized for leaving TCMH. He said he would miss patients and staff members at TCMH with whom he had “formed very strong bonds.”
“I would like to thank my patients for allowing me into their lives to participate in their healthcare,” Rasmussen said. “I’m sorry I couldn’t stay.”
Rasmussen will continue to see patients at the clinic through Aug. 12. Debra Buckle, FNP, also sees patients full-time at the clinic. Dr. Jonathan Beers, internal medicine physician at the TCMH Medical Complex, will be able to take on some of Rasmussen’s adult patients. Dr. Joshua Wolfe, a family medicine physician and obstetrician who will arrive at TCMH in July, will be able to take on obstetrical and any other patients that are looking for a new provider.
“I will continue to provide care for the obstetrical patients I have,” Rasmussen said, “And I hope to see as many of our established patients as possible before I leave.”
Murray and the staff at TCMH are working on a plan to continue to provide physician coverage at the clinic after Rasmussen departs. A search for a full-time physician for the clinic is underway.