Dr. Sherman retires from HVCH
Dr. Nathaniel Sherman III, MD, is retiring as Chief of Emergency Medicine at Hocking Valley Community Hospital.
Dr. Sherman has practiced emergency medicine for more than 35 years, including 18 years at HVCH. He is an employee of TeamHealth physician services, formerly Premier Health Services, Inc., and has worked at hospitals all over Ohio.
“I’ve seen a lot. Emergency medicine is one of those careers where you think you’ve seen everything until your next shift and you see something new. You are seeing people at their most vulnerable and you have to be sensitive to that,” Dr. Sherman said.
He became Chief of Emergency Medicine at HVCH in 2011, and has worked at the local hospital exclusively for the past few years. In his role, he was responsible for acting as a liaison between TeamHealth and the hospital, supporting other medical staff and looking out for their interests, scheduling, and managing complaints. HVCH currently employees four full-time and several part-time providers through TeamHealth.
“The nice thing about hospitals in small towns is that you get a chance to know everyone in the hospital. It’s more of a close-knit, family feel. In small towns, especially Logan, everyone is so proud of their hospital and they never want to lose that,” Dr. Sherman said. “One the most unifying things is to be able to acknowledge all the people who work at a facility from the cafeteria staff, to security, housekeeping, registration, nurses, etc. because they make the team work. I can’t do my job without them, and I respect and appreciate all they do.”
This past year has been especially challenging responding to the COVID-19 crisis.
“I’ve never seen anything quite so devastating and unpredictable,” Dr. Sherman said. “We’ve never had another modern viral illness outbreak last as long or be as pervasive. I’m looking forward to seeing the results of the vaccine and seeing it help us get back to a place where the spread can be slowed.”
Dr. Sherman plans to remain a contingent employee of TeamHealth, but no longer hold the title of Medical Director.
“Being at HVCH has been a good experience. Oftentimes, physicians are seen as providing for others, but interacting with others has made a difference in my life that is everlasting. You meet people who will be lifelong friends or change the way you think. I have loved providing emergency medicine and the people I have worked with make it that much better,” he said. “It will be different when I don’t have to think about work all the time. Life is made up of many chapters and I’m looking forward to seeing what can be found there, where my joys are and where my energy can be spent.”
Some of his plans include staying up on his golf game, taking more trips with his wife and spending more quality time with their six children and grandchildren.
Dr. Brett Call, DO, will take Dr. Sherman’s place as HVCH’s Chief of Emergency Medicine. Dr. Call, of Amanda, completed medical school at Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed his residency at OhioHealth Doctors Hospital in Columbus. He also has worked at hospitals all over Ohio, including OhioHealth Berger Hospital, Pike Community Hospital, Wayne Community Hospital, and others. He is a member of the American College of Emergency Physicians, American College of Osteopathic Emergency Physicians and several other organizations.