Our ministry would like to thank Pam Bucklew-Wilder, MD, FACS, for her years of service in Springfield, Ohio and congratulate her on her recent retirement!
“I was in the hospital several times as a child and my curiosity continued to grow as I got older,” Dr. Bucklew shares about her initial interest in medicine. “At the time I went to college, there were not many women in medicine other than as nurses. First, I went to Clark Tech to become a medical laboratory technician. Once I started working as one, I knew I wanted to be able to do more.”
Eventually, Dr. Bucklew met two family doctors and figured she could become a physician as well. However, her professional journey wasn’t always an easy one.
“I was the first female to graduate from my residency program,” Dr. Bucklew says. “There were a lot of barriers that any female in medicine had to break down during residency in the 1980s. Thankfully, most of those barriers don’t exist anymore as there are actually now more women in medical school than men.”
Dr. Bucklew eventually chose surgery as her specialty because when she started her gross anatomy course, she was immediately drawn to the aspect of surgery.
“I had some wonderful surgeons who took me seriously and encouraged me to go into surgery,” she adds. “There is nothing more rewarding than helping people overcome a health issue that can be resolved in a short period of time. Seeing people get their health back is quite rewarding.”
Outside of medicine, Dr. Bucklew enjoys traveling with her husband and raising horses.
“Our favorite places are Canada and Israel. I also raise quarter horses and show them in halter classes,” she says. “My most memorable success was winning All American Quarter Horse Congress in 2002. Recently, several of the horses I raised and sold have been world and reserve world champions. Now that I am retiring, I’m looking forward to just having time with my husband and being able to do things we have put on hold. Our next trip is to follow the footsteps of the apostle Paul through Rome and the surrounding area.”
Learn about the health care services we offer at Mercy Health.
5 Comments
Post a CommentSue & Gary Brown
Dr. Bucklew, we will miss seeing you around the hospital. Wishing you a wonderful retirement, having the time to do all the things you love to do. Happy trails - stay safe.Sharon Poland
I am so going to miss you Dr Bucklew! You have brought me through 2 bouts of breast cancer and I am forever grateful! Enjoy your retirement, you deserve it!Rick Nedelman
Congratulations Pam. You were always passionate and dedicated to patient care. Enjoy the next phase of life. Stay well be blessed.Shirley Fick
Dr. Bucklew you are a wonderful doctor.....you operated on me.... more than once...you made me feel so special.... I have alot of respect for you and for everything you stand for.... Thank you so much...may God bless you and your husband and keep you safe as you continue your journey in life.. Love and hugs..... ShirleyJolyn Verbillion
Congratulations on your retirement. I also want to let you know that I got a boxer puppy from you 12 years ago. I still have him and he has been the best dog. He has such a wonderful temperament and I have so enjoyed having him. Again, congrats on your retirement.