OREGON — During his 40 years of service to our community, Dr. A. Timothy Appenheimer spent his career as a dedicated physician whose attentive care endeared him to patients and families alike; however, his true calling was being a mentor to all, a friend to many and a lifelong learner and educator.
Spending the first part of his career working for the KSB Medical Group from 1981–1984, he “learned the ropes” from Dr. Mesrobian while working at Warmolt’s Clinic in Oregon. In 1984, Dr. Appenheimer followed his dream to work under a physician he greatly admired, Dr. Rakel, at the University of Iowa. The pull of providing healthcare to a rural community tugged at his heart and in 1986 he moved his family back to Dixon and resumed his career at KSB Hospital, where he remained for over 30 years.
While at KSB, Dr. Appenheimer served as the chief medical officer and developed many programs, including a hospice program, a residency program and a hospitalist program. He was the first physician to serve on KSB’s Board of Directors. Dr. Appenheimer also served as medical director for Dixon Rehabilitation and Health Care Center, Franklin Grove Living and Rehabilitation Center, Pinecrest Nursing Home and KSB Post Acute Services.
At the later part of his career, Dr. Appenheimer shifted his varied focus to hospice care and became the medical director for Serenity Hospice and Home, serving in that capacity for the last 13 years of his career. While at Serenity Hospice and Home, he brought with him his many talents, including those of a skilled photographer, a woodworking craftsman and a folk guitarist, singer/songwriter. Like the meticulous composition of his photographs, some of which adorn the hallways of Serenity Home, his caregiving was also characterized by his keen attention to detail – an affirmation of his ability to magnify beauty, even in the face of challenging circumstance.
“In hospice,” Appenheimer said, “Serenity’s staff meets patients and their families, knowing it is one of the rawest, most emotional times in their lives. While many begin hospice services with trepidation, this usually changes in a matter of days as they encounter the care given by Serenity’s team. A lot of the fear and defensiveness just starts to go away. That is predictable because of the quality of the people who are going in to see the patients and families.”
While the entire staff of Serenity Hospice and Home is sad to see him go, his legacy will remain in the stunning photos that liven the walls of Serenity Home, and the equally profound imprint he has left on the minds and hearts of the Serenity family. Thank you Dr. Appenheimer for serving your community in so many lasting ways, and enjoy your well-deserved retirement!
