Marshall physicians announce retirement

Gary Skrien, MD, Jane Willett, DO and Joe Willett, DO have announced their upcoming retirements at the end of this month.

“After 22, 29 and 29 years respectively, these physicians have defined what local health care means in the Marshall community,” said Dr. Steve Meister, vice president of Clinical Support Services, Avera Marshall. “It has been an honor and a privilege to have worked with all three of them in their efforts to improve the health and well-being of their patients and our community.”

Drs. Joe and Jane Willett joined then ACMC Health as an internist and a family medicine physician in August 1991. They are both well known in the community and have been actively involved in a wide variety of organizations and activities.

Along with serving thousands of patients in his internal medicine practice through the years, Dr. Joe Willett has an active interest in endoscopic procedures and participated in a national GI Quality Improvement Consortium, voluntarily submitting data to improve and ensure the highest quality of care for our patients. Dr. Willett was appointed by the governor to the Minnesota Board of Medical Practice from 1996 to 2003 and 2011 to 2015. During his Board service, Dr. Willett served on all of the Board’s standing committees, chairing the Complaint Review Committee. He served as vice president of the Board in 2001 and president in 2002. He was on the Board’s voting delegate to the Federation of State Medical Boards from 1999-2003. In April 2019 he was elected to the Board of the Federation of State Medical Boards, which oversees all national and international medical boards to ensure patient safety. Dr. Willett also served on ACMC Health’s board of directors for many years.

Dr. Jane Willett cared for many families during her nearly three decades as a family medicine physician, often caring for multiple generations of family members. With a passion for obstetrics, she had the privilege of welcoming more than 2,000 new babies into the world throughout her 29 years in practice. She believes strongly in preventive care and enjoyed caring for all ages from newborns to older adults. She was also a leader in the health system serving on the ACMC Health board of directors and as a supporter of athletics and educational opportunities in the Marshall community.

The Willetts are proud to have spent their entire medical career in Marshall. They shared that Marshall was a great place to raise a family and agreed that Marshall will always be the best chapter of their lives. They are excited to continue one of their favorite roles as they head into the next chapter with retirement; the role of grandma and grandpa to their two grandchildren. They also enjoy being outdoors and spending time with family at the lake.

Dr. Gary Skrien joined then ACMC Health in March 1998. He has developed meaningful relationships over the past 22 years with his patients who many times became close friends. He often shared how much he loved being a doctor and that it is the best job in the world. He appreciates getting to listen, learn and watch as family members grew up in his care. Dr. Skrien also serves as medical director for Prairie Home Hospice and has a special interest in hospice and end-of-life care. Many years ago, Dr. Skrien was a touring musician when he decided to begin a new career in medicine. In his free time, he enjoys reading and running and spending time with family.

Their last day in clinic will be June 30.