Dr. John Spurzem retired this month as Professor Emeritus after 18 years at UMMC. During his career, Dr. Spurzem was a pillar physician in the field of cystic fibrosis and interstitial lung disease. He served the institution in many capacities, including as the Director of the Adult Program of the Cystic Fibrosis Center and Division Director of Pulmonary and Critical Care for 11 years. A native of California, Dr. Spurzem shares his plans to return “home” after his exemplary career.
What is your first memory of UMMC?
My first memory of UMMC is from the visit my wife and I made in early 2005. Doug Campbell and the rest of the faculty were very welcoming. We made pizza in the backyard pizza oven at the home of Marci Petrini and Terry Dwyer.
What has been your favorite thing about your time at UMMC?
My favorite thing about UMMC and Mississippi is the people. I was able to work with some great people and some great Chairs, starting with Rick deShazo. I also enjoyed working with some great patients. Mississippians were very grateful when we were able to help them.
What accomplishment are you most proud of?
I am proud that we were able to grow the fellowship and train some really good doctors. They would have been good doctors without our fellowship but we trained some really good pulmonary and critical care doctors that are spread across Mississippi and surrounding states.
What advice would you give to those career planning for the future?
Find a specialty that is interesting to you and has some flexibility in how and where you may work. I always recommend Internal Medicine as a starting point. Internists are the people that are trying to figure things out.
What do you plan to do with your time now that you are retiring?
We are spending more time with my family in California. I am planning on sailing and racing in San Francisco bay.
Progress Notes 