HERMON — On June 2, former patients, medical colleagues, and friends of Dr. Gary Berk surprised him with an afternoon reception to celebrate his many years of service in St. Lawrence County.

The gathering was held at the McBrier Park Manor in Hermon, just steps away from the Hermon Family Health Care office where Dr. Berk served as the primary care physician for thirty-five years.

Special greetings were brought by David Acker, former president and CEO of St. Lawrence Health, who praised Berk for being among a small and select group of physicians in the United States willing to pass up lucrative opportunities in urban areas because of their commitment to live and work in underserved, rural communities.

Hermon town historian Lenore Zaunere announced that a plaque commemorating Dr. Berk’s years of service will be mounted in the Hepburn Library of Hermon, near Berk’s former healthcare office.

Long-time patient Frank McLaughlin of Canton thanked Berk for his devotion to the well-being of all those he served, whatever their circumstances. Others recounted stories of Berk’s unrushed attention to each patient, his generosity toward the Amish community, and his uncommon practice of making house calls.

After earning his medical degree at the University of Vermont College of Medicine in Burlington and completing his residency through the University of Rochester/Highland Hospital, Dr. Berk arrived at the Hermon office in 1987. He quickly established a reputation for his diagnostic skills, his personalized care for people of all ages, and his focus on preventative care.

Dr. Berk closed his private practice at the end of 2022 but continues to see a limited number of patients once a week at Gouverneur Hospital’s DeKalb Junction Health Center.