The Community Memorial Hospital (CMH) network recently recognized the beloved Dr. Robert Delorme as he retired from the organization in April after 45 years of dedicated patient care.

Dr. Delorme came to Community Memorial in 1978 and has served the community and hospital network in many capacities, including Vice President of Medical Affairs, President of the Medical Staff, Vice President of the Medical Staff, Secretary/Treasurer of the Medical Staff, Chief of Family Practice, Medical Director of the Family Health Centers, and Vice President of Primary Care Services. He also assisted with the Hospitalist program in 2007, providing inpatient medicine.

Board certified by the American Board of Family Practice, Internal Medicine and Geriatrics, Dr. Delorme completed medical school at McGill University Faculty of Medicine in Montreal, Canada and his residency at McMaster University Faculty of Health Medicine in Hamilton, Canada. Delorme specialized in family medicine and geriatrics and was the primary care physician of the Waterville Family Health Center when it opened its doors for patient care in 1995.

From delivering babies to caring for the most elderly patients of CMH, Dr. Delorme has seen it all in his 45 years as a physician. He won the Dr. Gary Ogden Rural Health Practitioner of the Year Award in 2018, which is awarded to a direct service provider who has demonstrated leadership in bringing health services to citizens of rural New York.

In 2019, Delorme transitioned to a mentorship role, overseeing the primary care nurse practitioners of the CMH Family Health Centers, and offered support in building a platform to create clinical pathways for patient care. Remaining an integral part of the healthcare team, Dr. Delorme utilized his years of clinical knowledge, offering guidance to the new providers.

“Bob Delorme has offered the entire staff of Community Memorial more than just his medical expertise over his decades of work here,” commented Jeff Coakley, President and CEO. “His contributions to patient care are unparalleled; he also offered leadership, compassion, and genuine friendship to all those who worked with him. Our team and community are so fortunate to have had his guidance and support for 45 years.”

With a philosophy of care centering on the patient’s trust in his care, Dr. Delorme looks forward to retirement but will miss the interaction with his longtime patients and colleagues. “It has been an honor to care for so many over my time as a primary care doctor, and I know that the CMH organization will continue to lead patients on their best preventative care journey,” remarked Dr. Delorme. “To the patients I’ve cared for, some for many years, it has been my privilege to be your doctor.”

A retirement celebration event was held in Dr. Delorme’s honor, with kind stories and fun reminders of experiences over the years, and a small token of the organization’s appreciation was presented to Dr. Delorme; an inscribed plaque, noting the 45 years of dedication to Community Memorial and local healthcare services to patients. “On behalf of the Medical Staff of Community Memorial, both past and present, we wish Dr. Delorme the best in his retirement and all his future endeavors,” added Dr. Sunny Nelson, Medical Staff President. “His years of hard work have left an everlasting impression on the care we look to continue in honor of his legacy.”

To learn more about any of the Community Memorial services provided, including primary care in multiple convenient locations, please visit www.communitymemorial.org.