June 15, 2020
Dear Friends,
It is with very mixed feelings that I am contacting you with the news that I am retiring from dentistry.
The timing of this decision and the circumstances prompting it certainly do not come as I had envisioned. COVID-19 and the lengthy shut down that it has caused for our office has given myself, Barb, and Brenda a taste of life without dentistry. We have all come to the realization that it is the right time for us to move on to the next stage of our lives.
I am so fortunate to have chosen dentistry as my lifetime profession. I have felt very passionate about dentistry ever since I started dental school over 40 years ago. To say that it will be hard to let go is an understatement.
Over my career I have had the pleasure of working with many outstanding people... quality Certified Dental Assistants… Barb and Brenda in particular, hygienists… working together with my sister Melanie for 33 years was very special for me, and receptionists… Maureen in particular who has been extremely instrumental in the smooth running of our practice for many years.
I have also been fortunate to work with numerous excellent dentists whether it was in my office or as specialist colleagues in Kelowna who were and are such a valuable part of our team in delivering dental care to you, our patients. I thank them all for helping me grow as a dentist and for stimulating me to continually learn and improve.
Evan, Tash, and Jess are unquestionably 3 of the finest, if not the finest, young dentists in Kelowna. I can’t believe my luck that I got to spend time working with each of them, collaborating on your care, and being inspired by their bright young minds. I tried to treat our patients in the same manner that I would treat one of my own family. I am confident that Evan, Tash, and Jess will continue with these same values. They have all built strong relationships with other dentists, dental labs, and specialists in our community as well as with continuing education centers to help support them in providing you with excellent state of the art dentistry. I am especially proud that all three dentists are going through the Kois continuing education program in Seattle that I have often talked to many of you about. They are all ahead of the curve in their dental knowledge…by about 20 years compared to me as I did not complete the program until I was about 50!
But above all, what made each day so rewarding and fulfilling for me was the relationship that I developed with many of you. This I will miss most of all. I was fortunate to treat 3 generations of many families! I thank you from the bottom of my heart for entrusting me with your oral health over all these years. Although it was a clinical setting, I will cherish the special memories that I have of so many of you. Never for once did I take your loyalty and friendship for granted. It was a sincere privilege to provide dental care for you.
I have no doubt that you will be very well cared for by Evan, Tash, Jess, and the incredible staff at Okanagan Dentistry. The caring attitude, compassionate personalities, selfless approach to helping others, and the excellent skills that they all possess leave me with a very positive feeling about the future of the practice.
Evan has now owned Okanagan Dentistry for over 3 years and the transition has been seamless for everyone. It has been a pleasure to mentor Evan in dentistry as well as practice management as we hold very similar values and ethics. I and my extended family will continue to see Evan, Tash, and Jess and all of the hygienists for our dental care.
I am excited for my future which will include spending lots of time with my wife Theresa, my 3 daughters and sons-in-law, and my 5 grandchildren. I am looking forward to having more time for other things I enjoy including painting, golfing, skiing, hiking, and hopefully a few new things that are out there waiting for me to discover. I will also look forward to seeing many of you outside of the office!
Thank you once again for being such a special part of the profession that I have loved for so many years. I already miss you!
Sincerely,
Ian J. Leitch, DMD, FACD, FICD, FPFA
