Dover-Foxcroft physician honored for 50 years of service

BAR HARBOR — Dr. Richard Swett of Dover-Foxcroft was recently recognized at the annual banquet of the Maine Medical Association with a 50-year pin celebrating his graduation from Yale Medical School in 1967. Dr. Swett was one of two physicians to receive the honor at the banquet.

After medical school, Dr. Swett completed residency training in orthopedics at the Massachusetts General Hospital. He then joined the faculty at Stanford University before moving to Dover-Foxcroft and starting Penquis Orthopaedics, now Mayo Orthopedics, in 1979. Dr. Swett retired from full-time practice in 2013. He has remained active with the board of trustees of Foxcroft Academy, serving as the chair for the past several years.

Dr. Swett is also active in the work of the Maine Medical Association, serving as the “Doctor of the Day” at the Maine State Legislature and engaging in the advocacy work that the association does on behalf of patients and physicians in the state. He has worked as a medical volunteer in Nicaragua, teaching physicians there about orthopedic surgery.

Dr. Swett received the 50-year award from Patty Bergeron, long-term assistant for the Maine Medical Association and Gordon Smith, executive director of the association. Present at the ceremony and dinner were Dr. Swett’s wife Caroline and his colleague of many years Dr. Robert Bach (who received his 50-year pin several years ago).

In his remarks on the receipt of this award, Dr. Swett directed his thoughts to the medical students who were present at the banquet. He spoke of how it has been his privilege to serve his neighbors in a rural community where you see your patients at the grocery store and at your children’s events. He encouraged them to learn about practicing specialty or general medicine in a rural area by knowing that the personal and professional rewards will be many.

Contributed photo
50-YEAR PIN — Dr. Richard Swett of Dover-Foxcroft, right, recently was presented with a 50-year pin celebrating his graduation from Yale Medical School in 1967 at the annual banquet of the Maine Medical Association in Bar Harbor. Dr. Swett is pictured with Maine Medical Association Executive Director Gordon Smith, Esq. and Patty Bergeron, long-term assistant for the association.