ALS forces local eye doctor to sell longtime practice
By JOHN LA PORTE, Times News Editor
Friday, August 15, 2008


Dr. Marc Walker, left, is selling his optometry practice to Dr. Michael Hilbert, right, effective Sept. 1. Walker, who has been diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s disease, said he will keep practicing as long as his health permits.




Longtime local optometrist Dr. Marc Walker is selling his practice.

It has not been an easy decision, Walker said, but one necessitated by his being diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also called Lou Gehrig’s disease, a progressive and often fatal disorder that attacks the nerves and muscles.

Dr. Michael Hilbert, who has been working with Walker, Walker’s wife Ann and the staff at Family Vision Clinic for about a month, is buying the practice effective Sept. 1.

“Emotionally, I’m doing OK,” Walker said. “Physically, my voice has run down.”

He said the disease is also affecting his lung capacity and he can feel it in his hands.

Walker added that he will stay with the practice “as long as I can be contributing.”

He plans to possibly cut back his hours or eventually serve in a consulting capacity.

As his voice goes, he plans to use a computer to communicate.

“We’re glad to have Michael here to care for the patients and keep the same staff,” Ann Walker said.

Marc Walker has always been interested in vision therapy, developmental optometry and vision-related learning disabilities, passions Hilbert shares.

The new optometrist will be conducting a general practice for all ages, just like his predecessor.

“I really like it,” Hilbert said of Fort Morgan. “I’ve always been interested in coming out to Colorado. I like the small-town atmosphere.”

Hilbert, who is single, loves skiing, running and mountain biking.

Originally from Topeka, Kan., he did his undergraduate work at Kansas State University, obtaining a bachelor’s degree in biology, then received his doctor of optometry degree and a bachelor’s degree in vision science from Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

The Walkers came to Fort Morgan in 1985. They raised two children, Katie, now married and working for Nike in Beaverton, Ore., and Brian, about to start his junior year at the University of Portland.

“Marc and I had a great experience raising our kids here,” Ann Walker said.

She added, “Marc and I really appreciate the patient support we’ve gotten.”

Leaving the patients when the time comes will be the hardest part of leaving his practice, the doctor said.

“They’re more than patients; they’re friends,” he declared.

“Also the staff,” Ann added. “The staff are like family.”

Including Ann and a groundskeeper, there are six staffers at the clinic.

Both of the Walkers are relieved that the staff will be staying on.

“I love my staff,” Marc said. “I absolutely love them.”

— Contact John La Porte at news@fmtimes.com.

http://www.fortmorgantimes.com/news/...time-practice/