A number of changes are coming to two Dwight Healthcare Centers of Morris Hospital as a result of the retirement of longtime physician Dr. Michael Cichon, who has served as a general practitioner in Dwight for 36 years.

Cichon joined Morris Hospital & Healthcare Centers more than two years ago with succession planning in mind and will retire Friday, Nov. 30. Dr. Jaynee Pendergast has been recruited as Cichon’s successor and began working alongside Cichon on Oct. 1 as part of the transition.

“Today, I can say with confidence that I am leaving my patients in great hands, as we have recruited a wonderful family medicine physician to oversee the continued care of my patients,” Cichon said. “I have been truly impressed with Dr. Pendergast’s kindness, caring and knowledge, and I feel she’ll be a great fit for the community.”

With Cichon’s upcoming retirement, Morris Hospital is making plans to consolidate its two Dwight offices to one location by the beginning of 2019. In preparation for the consolidation, the Dwight Healthcare Center at 101 S. Prairie Ave. temporarily closed Oct. 11 and will remain closed for the remainder of the year to allow for expansion and renovation of the office building and parking lot.

While construction is underway at the Prairie Avenue office, Dr. Mark Passerman, Dr. Athar Saeed and Kathy Ulivi, family nurse practitioner, will temporarily relocate to the 103 S. John St. office, a half mile away. When they move back to 101 S. Prairie Ave. in early January, they will be joined by Pendergast. The John Street office will close at that time.

“Since affiliating with Cichon in 2016, it has been our goal to bring all of our Dwight services together in one location,” said Pat Durkin, vice president of ambulatory services at Morris Hospital & Healthcare Centers. “With Cichon’s retirement and Pendergast’s arrival, this is the perfect time to make facility improvements and bring the Dwight services together under one roof. We look forward to unveiling the new and improved Prairie Avenue office at the start of the new year.”

In appreciation of his many years of service to the Dwight community, Morris Hospital & Healthcare Centers is hosting a retirement reception honoring Cichon from 4 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 28, at 103 S. John St. The community is invited and also will have the opportunity to meet Pendergast. Refreshments will be served.