Sigsbee Duck, MD, spends time consulting on telemedicine as part of his retirement, noting that it’s a tremendous benefit for patients who don’t live close to otolaryngology clinics in Wyoming.
Dr. Duck, age 71, completed his otolaryngology residency at Emory University and later took courses in allergy; he’s board certified in otolaryngology and otolaryngic allergy. In 2017, the Wyoming Medical Society elected him Physician of the Year. He’s also a multi-engine instrument-rated pilot and was recently reappointed by Wyoming’s Governor to serve a second term on the Wyoming Aeronautics Commission, having served as chair for the past two years. “I spend a lot of time trying to help ensure that we have reliable commercial aviation to our small cities in Wyoming,” he said, “which is a tough task.”
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December 2023Retirement, in its traditional sense, isn’t in Dr. Duck’s plan. He works about 20 hours per week with the ongoing support of Sweetwater Memorial Hospital because he continues to find practicing medicine gratifying. “I enjoy seeing patients and talking to people,” he said. “I enjoy trying to help them.”
Dr. Duck also uses his general otolaryngology skills while doing allergy consultations over telemedicine to know when a patient needs to be evaluated in the office. He can then either meet with them in person or refer them to another otolaryngologist who’s closer to where they live, for example, to check their nasal airways.
While pursuing a career solely focused on allergy and excluding surgery may not be a viable business model for otolaryngologists on the front end of their careers, Dr. Duck finds it a feasible and rewarding option at this time of his career. He encourages fellow otolaryngologists to prepare for health issues that may impact their ability to do surgery, to consider their disability insurance, and to explore areas of interest, such as allergy work, beyond their primary specialization.
Doing a significant amount of telemedicine has enabled Dr. Duck to reach patients across the vast and sparsely populated state of Wyoming. “I can see all these people and try to help them, and it’s helpful to the patients not to have to drive so far for evaluation and some treatment in rural Wyoming.” The combination of telemedicine and his hospital’s support enables Dr. Duck to continue to make a meaningful impact on patients’ lives.
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