After a Life of Service, McBroom to Hang Up the Stethoscope

A Monthly Feature by JESSICA MONTEZ

Every doctor takes an oath to treat everyone who seeks their care, hold in confidence the information shared with them, and use their knowledge and experience to contribute to an improved community. Very few doctors exceed the expectations of this oath but Dr. William Mike McBroom is the exception. After almost 45 years of serving the people of Fayette and Lee counties, he has announced his retirement.

Born and raised in Wichita Falls, McBroom, the oldest of four siblings and the only son, brought about a lot of early responsibility, “I did a lot of the mowing, yard work, and took care of my sisters’ horses. In seventh grade, I started to go down to my dad’s title company and run errands. I also helped build our family swimming pool because I did concrete work in high school during the summer,” said Mc-Broom, whose acts of service may have helped make up his career choice. “I enjoy helping people and thought it would be a good profession to allow me to be of service. I also always loved science.”

After high school, he attended the University of Texas, but only for one semester because he ran out of money, he then went to Midwestern State University, and then he wound up at the University of North Texas graduating with a bachelor of arts degree in math and biology. But something great came from the University of North Texas, “I was lucky enough to meet my wife Linda there who was majoring in medical technology. On New Year’s Eve in 1965, we went on a blind date and three and half years later we got married,” said McBroom.

He enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1969 and was stationed at Sheppard Air Force Base as a surgical technician until he was admitted to the University of Texas medical school in Houston in 1973.

“I had just completed my residency at Memorial Family Practice in Houston and Dr. Bert Garrett and I had planned to build an office in Austin however it didn’t work out. During this time, Dr Garrett was assisting with Dr. James Makinson’s practice on Pearl Street and after his passing in June of 1978 he suggested that I join him in La Grange,” said McBroom. “It was truly one of the best decisions that our family has made. We moved here in the summer of 1979 when our sons Kevin was eight and Jason was two.”

After a few years on Pearl Street, Dr. McBroom joined Dr. Royce Keilers on Guadalupe Street in 1985, and during this time in the 1980s, the physicians took care of all medical needs. “My medical practice has consisted of delivering babies, assisting in surgery, emergency room calls, hospital and nursing home rounds, patient office visits, and even football sideline medicine as the La Grange Leopards’ first sideline physician,” said McBroom. And he never let anything stop him from taking care of those boys on the field, “On 9/11, I was in Washington D.C., half a mile from the Pentagon, I could see the smoke and everything and I couldn’t get back home for a home football game, no trains or planes, so I rode a bus for 22 hours so I could make the game. And I made it.”

His son Jason McBroom also remembers those moments on the football sidelines fondly: “In the 1980s there were not as many specialists in the area so your primary care physician did a lot more procedures than they would do today. I can remember after a La Grange football game going to help him set a broken arm of someone who got injured during the game. Yes, times have changed… 11-year-old boys don’t get to help set broken bones at a hospital anymore! People often come up to me and tell me that your dad delivered my child, or that he saved their life. This always made me feel good that my dad was a doctor.”

One person in particular who is very happy his dad is a doctor is Jason’s wife, Holly who might have been destined to become a McBroom, “One of my favorite stories is that my parents actually met Mike the day I was born while in the hospital about to have me! My mom’s doctor at the time was Dr. Garrett. He brought Mike into the hospital room that day so that they could meet the new doctor coming to town. Ironically, that new doctor would later become my father-in-law! And, I’m so blessed that he is,” said Holly.

In the 90s Dr. Keilers retired and rural health clinics were in high demand so Fayette Memorial Hospital purchased the practice and it became the La Grange Rural Health Clinic. In 1995 when the La Grange Rural Health Clinic dissolved, the clinic name was officially changed to La Grange Family Health Center and the clinic would move to its current location.

In 1996 because of the lack of physicians in Giddings, McBroom began treating patients there once a week on his day off. Then in 2006, the Family Health Center opened a clinic in Giddings and more recently, in 2018, the center opened a clinic in Flatonia.

Dr. McBroom’s La Grange Family Health Center partners Dr. Thomas Borgstedte who joined the practice in 2004 and became one of the owners in 2005, and Dr. Wess Blackwell, who joined the practice in 2007 and became one of the owners in 2008, have been able to grow into even better doctors because of McBroom.

Borgstedte said, “When I returned to La Grange, Dr. McBroom provided a presence and gave me insight into the practice of medicine in rural Texas. Over the past 21 years, he has been a mentor and an example of how to be a physician involved in the community. Though his presence in the clinic will be missed, his legacy will persist.” Blackwell added, “It has been an absolute honor to work with Dr. McBroom over the last 17 years. He has truly been an inspiration to practice medicine with and has been an amazing example of what a small-town family physician should be. He made this community better.” Along with his partners, his colleagues have the utmost respect for him. Licensed vocational nurse, clinical director, and Dr. McBroom’s nurse Brenda Belota said there are too many memorable events the two have shared over her 44 years at the clinic. “There are so many memorable events as we have taken care of generations of patients and families in Fayette and Lee counties. It has been an honor to work with him for these four decades. He has been a wonderful mentor to me and many of the younger doctors, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants that have come and gone. He shares his knowledge and wisdom willingly and is never judgemental, always treating his patients with compassionate care. He has taught me to just listen to the patient and they will give you the answers.”

Medical records coordinator and the clinic’s public relations rep, Kim Kovar, has also seen firsthand the bond Mc-Broom has with everyone he meets since she began working with him on Guadalupe Street: ”His patient’s healthcare has always been his first priority. He is a wonderful doctor who is admired by so many. He has the same great relationship with his patients, staff, and the community as he did back then.” Page Marlow, the clinic’s front office manager, added, “He treats us like family and is the kindest, most generous man who has dedicated his entire life to his patients and we are so lucky to have had him for all these years.”

McBroom himself never thought this time would come: “I honestly never thought I would retire but the clinic has excellent physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and staff to continue to care for my patients. I’ve been doing this for almost 45 years and at 78 years old I’d like to do some things like loaf around the house, travel, do more hunting and fishing, catch up on my honey-dos, and spend more time with my family. The things I just don’t have time to do because if I don’t do them before long then I probably won’t be able to do them.”

And his family couldn’t agree more. “I am glad that he is retiring. He has worked many long days over the 45 years practicing in La Grange. For most of his career, his day would start about 6:30 in the morning seeing patients at Fayette Memorial Hospital and later on at St. Mark’s Hospital. Then he would see patients all day at the office and finish up the day back at the hospital till about 8 p.m. Those were some very long days. He deserves the time to finally not have a schedule,” said Jason. Kevin added, “Watching him over the years he has taught me that there is no replacement for hard work and dedication with a sprinkle of compassion and patience and it’s his time to retire and slow down. I’m really excited for him.”

Some other family members who are also excited that he will have more free time on his hands call him grandpa. McBroom is grandfather to Madison Brooks, 27, Hailee Walker, 27, Austin McBroom, 20, and Elyse McBroom, 10.

“He’s a very good grandpa. I like to go to the ranch with him and I really love that he always makes me blueberry pancakes! And, I’m pretty sure I got my love for ice cream from him. Having a grandpa who’s a doctor has spoiled me with home visits when I’m sick. It might be a little weird that he will be at home more now, but I’m happy that I will get to spend more time with him and go on trips together,” said Elyse.

Taking the oath to heal and care for others is a lifelong commitment. But when it comes time to hang up the stethoscope and retire, it’s a bittersweet moment. Thank you Dr. McBroom for devoting your life to healing your journey has been one of compassion, skill, and tireless service and will never be forgotten.

Please join Dr. McBroom in celebrating this new chapter in his life by coming to an open reception this Saturday, April 6 from 2-5 p.m. at the Frisch Auf! Valley Country Club, 575 Country Club Drive, La Grange. It would be a great honor to celebrate his retirement with his patients and colleagues before his final day of seeing patients on April 30.