Former Genesis physician to open private practice
- Dr. Jeffrey Haggenjos will open a new practice in New Lexington within weeks.
- Haggenjos says he was terminated from Genesis Hospital on Sept. 1.
- He operated a private practice since 1979 in Perry County. Genesis bought the building in 2009.
NEW LEXINGTON— Some call him Dr. Haggenjos; others call him Doc.
But most simply call him Jeff.
It's informal, unpretentious and characteristic of a doctor who has made his living as a family physician in a rural city of just less than 5,000 people. For 35 years, Dr. Jeffrey Haggenjos had served the people of Perry and surrounding counties from his New Lexington office.
The private practice he opened in 1979 was bought by Genesis Healthcare Systems in 2009, and six years later, Haggenjos was gone. He says he was terminated, something Genesis would not confirm.
Nonetheless, the doctor is once again serving his patients. He's practicing temporarily at an office in Somerset, but he plans to open his own practice in New Lexington within weeks. Many of his staff have resigned from Genesis and plan to join him at the new practice, he said.
He's keeping specifics under wraps for now, but his aim is to continue providing care to his thousands of patients that was disrupted Sept. 1.
"Due to the sensitive nature of the situation, we can not provide any additional information," read a statement Genesis released Wednesday. "Genesis remains committed to providing care to the residents of Perry County."
Longtime Perry County physician no longer with Genesis
After the split, Genesis released a statement in early September stating Dr. Brian Lott will temporarily take over the practice. They have extended the hours on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and plan to extend the hours on Thursday and Friday soon, a spokesperson said Wednesday.
As for Haggenjos, he'll resume the late and sporadic hours for which he's become known, a function he views as vital in a county with no urgent care or hospital.
It's this accessibility that has endeared him to his community. He makes house calls and even sees patients at his own home, sometimes as late as 2 a.m.
"More people know my cellphone than I do," Haggenjos said from his Greenbrier Drive home on a recent sunny afternoon.
At 66 years old, Haggenjos considered retiring after he and Genesis parted ways, but then came the outpouring of support from the community.
"It's got me going again," he said.
A Facebook group quickly formed and garnered thousands of followers. A community rally the week of Genesis' announcement drew hundreds of supporters for Haggenjos.
New Lexington community rallies in support of doctor
"We knew it was here, but we were still overwhelmed," said Haggenjos' wife, Cherl, reacting to the support they received.
The couple moved to the community the year Haggenjos opened the practice, and have since become ingrained. A 1969 graduate of Southern Illinois University and a 1978 graduate of the Midwestern University, Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine, Haggenjos spent time in Illinois and Detroit before ultimately moving to New Lexington.
His reason, just like most everything about him, is a humble one: "It's definitely difficult to get doctors into small towns," he said.
And since he's been here, he's made it his mission to recruit other physicians to the area.
His involvement in the community is multifaceted: coroner for years, team physician, church member.
His four sons took part in numerous activities and graduated from New Lexington High School, and his wife has served on the school board.
When one of his sons died in the early 2000s in a car crash, flower shops sold out after the community wanted to express their condolences, his wife said.
"We've had a great life in New Lexington," he said. "It's a great place to raise the kids."
elagatta@zanesvilletimesrecorder.com
740-450-6753
Twitter: @EricLagatta