Longtime Hagerstown cardiologist retires after 47 years – Herald-Mail Media

Dr. John Hornbaker Jr., was recently cleaning out his office at the Robinwood Heart Center in Hagerstown, when he found his 1963 license to practice cardiology and a hand-written letter from his father, the late Dr. John Hornbaker Sr.

Hornbaker packed up the mementos, along with the diplomas and certificates that lined his office walls, and officially retired today after 47 years of practicing cardiology in the city.

Hornbaker, who declined to give his age, said it was time to hang up his scrubs.

"I'm pushing 50 years, so now was the time," he said.

Hornbaker also declined to divulge his retirement plans, other than to say that he will be spending more time with his wife, Patricia.

A 1963 graduate of The John Hopkins University School of Medicine, Hornbaker completed his post-graduate internship and residency at the University of Virginia Hospital in Charlottesville, Va., according to his extensive rsum.

He served as a staff cardiologist at the U.S. Naval Hospital in Bethesda, Md., and was a member of several medical associations.

Hornbaker went on to serve as director of the Cardiac Diagnostic Center at Robinwood for eight years, before joining Padder Health Services LLC at the Robinwood Heart Center in 2009.

Although his father was a practicing cardiologist in Hagerstown, Hornbaker said he had little influence on his decision to follow the same path.

"I pretty well always knew I wanted to go to a good school and get into college, so I could practice cardiology," he said. "I was always interested in cardiology. It's a fascinating field."

Over his 47-year career, Hornbaker has continued to study and read the latest in medicine.

"I read extensively," he said. "I read all the time. There is so much that wasn't known when I was in medical school."

Even with retirement, Hornbaker said he has no plans to stop learning.

"I already have meetings scheduled," he said. "I can't give it up completely."

Tammy Freed, Hornbaker's assistant for 27 years, praised his meticulous work habits and seamless transition from paper to computer.

"We were totally paper, and when everything transitioned to computer, he really transitioned beautifully," she said. "It's because he is brilliant."

Freed said Hornbaker's decision to retire did not come easily.

"He talked about retirement before, but he never came to that decision," she said. "Then, I saw that he finally made that decision. But he did not make that decision casually. It was a very heartfelt choice."

Freed said she will miss working with him.

"He is one of a kind," she said, holding back tears. "I love him and I will miss him."

Hornbaker said as he notifies patients, many are sad to see him go.

"They're sad that I am not going to be their doctor anymore," he said. "For some of my patients, I've been their doctor for decades."

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Longtime Hagerstown cardiologist retires after 47 years - Herald-Mail Media