Morris Hospital medical staff honors retired physician

MORRIS – Morris Hospital has installed a permanent structure outside the entrance to the family birthing suites at Morris Hospital in honor of “one of the most well-respected, dedicated physicians in the hospital’s long history, Dr. John Roth Jr.,” the hospital said in a news release. The bust, initiated by the Morris Hospital medical staff, thanks Roth for his faithful service to the hospital and community for more than 40 years. Roth retired in 2015 after delivering more than 8,000 babies.

“It is without doubt to anyone that Dr. Roth is worthy of this honor,” Dr. Joseph Kokoszka, vice president of the medical staff at Morris Hospital, said in the release. “Sometimes, we stand back and allow life and time to go on without giving the respect that people deserve. Dr. Roth has more than earned this honor. More importantly, we, the community, were the fortunate recipients of a great gift in having Dr. Roth touch us in so many ways. This recognition has been long overdue.”

Roth’s family has a long legacy in Morris. During the Great Depression, Roth’s grandmother ran a bakery in Morris, providing food and jobs to community members, according to the release. Roth’s father worked at Morris Hospital for more than 30 years after returning from service as a physician during World War II. Morris Hospital installed a bust similar to Roth’s in memory of Roth’s father outside the intensive care unit, according to the release.

In a similar pattern, Roth went to Vietnam as a physician, returned to the U.S. to train in obstetrics and gynecology, and chose to practice at Morris Hospital his entire career, according to the release.

“I didn’t know what type of doctor I wanted to be. My dad was a general practitioner,” Roth told Shaw Media in 2015 when he retired. “I thought when I came back from Vietnam I’d be a surgeon, but my dad said we didn’t need a surgeon in Morris. If there was a crisis we needed an OB [obstetrics], so I went into OB because that is what Morris needed.”

Before and after serving in Vietnam, Roth worked at St. Joseph Hospital in Denver, Colorado, first as an intern and later during his three-year residency, Shaw Media previously reported. It was at St. Joseph Hospital that Roth met his wife, Judie.

“Dr. Roth had many opportunities and could have chosen to practice anywhere, but he chose his hometown,” Kokoszka said in the release. “He brought with him skills that he amassed from his training during his service to our country and his residency.”

Roth is remembered by colleagues who worked with him as an icon, according to the release. Dr. Erik Muraskas, who joined Roth in his office in 2010, called him a “treasure.”

“He gave his entire life to Morris Hospital and the community,” Muraskas said. “He’s empathetic, compassionate, level-headed and skilled. I’ve had former patients of his tell me about the time he sat by their bedside all night when they were very ill.”

Vickie Willis of Morris and her daughter Tammi Casey of Seneca, who both had babies delivered by Roth, remarked on his “caring bedside manner,” according to the 2015 story.

“You don’t even realize he’s examining you,” Willis said in 2015.

Kokoszka also recalled Roth’s availability and willingness to lend a hand to other physicians on the medical staff, regardless of the specialty.

“If I called him in the middle of the night to ask him to assist me with surgery, he’d say, ‘On my way.’ There will never be anyone else like him. He was the whole package. He loved being a physician and dedicated his entire life to the profession,” Kokoszka said in the release.

“He was always willing to listen and help all those he encountered, inside or outside of the hospital,” Kokoszka said. “He has served as a mentor and inspiration to many residents of the Morris community. His drive has no bounds, as does his kindness and good actions toward others. We all feel fortunate to have the honor of serving with him.”

Kokoszka pointed out that the metal used in the commemorative bust was mined in Morris, according to the release. He said the metal’s origin made it fitting, given Roth’s long history in the community.

“His family and their values forged him,” Kokoszka said. “His values were tempered by his service in Vietnam, only to be honed in his training. And like a fine piece of metal, Dr. Roth was tested and found to be true during his service and acts of unrelenting service to the community.”