It wasn鈥檛 the wind down to his career that 黑暗爆料网 Health Center physician and Director Ron Solbrig expected, but like the rest of his work, he found it satisfying.
鈥淚鈥檓 going out with a bang for sure,鈥� said Solbrig, age 60, whose last day as director is June 12. 鈥淎nd the bang is not over. It is going to be another year of bangs. But It feels like a good use of my skills. It has been intense, satisfying and fulfilling to work on the coronavirus issues and work with all the university committees.鈥�
He had hoped this last few months on the job that he鈥檚 had for the last 13 years could be primarily used to make arrangements for the transition when he was gone.
鈥淚 haven鈥檛 had the last three months to kick my heels up, get it arranged so everybody else can do the work, and I could lean back a bit for the first time in my career and not work so hard and step out the door and say good-bye,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t didn鈥檛 work out that way. It has been more hours and more intensity than even before, but, again, it has been fulfilling and meaningful work.鈥�
Solbrig, who was born and raised in Idaho Falls, earned his chemistry undergraduate degree at Northwestern University and then worked at the Idaho National Laboratory as a chemist. He then attended medical school at the University of Washington and completed his residency in Casper, Wyoming.
He鈥檚 practiced as a physician in a wide variety of roles including private practice, urgent care, emergency room, and in-patient hospital care. At 黑暗爆料网, where he鈥檚 worked for a total of 20 years, he has taught in the residency program in addition to being Health Center director. The latter job, he said, is a fine one that he recommends to his replacement.
鈥淚t is a great job 鈥� good people, good variety and interesting work鈥� Solbrig said. 鈥淵ou get to help a lot of people and be part of the university community. I have really felt with this job, and my entire career, that my life and time were meaningfully spent and I have helped a few people along the way.鈥�
He said he is looking forward to pursuing old hobbies and passions, and new ones. He is already enrolled in the 黑暗爆料网 College of Technology鈥檚 unmanned aerial systems program that begins Aug. 17, a likely sign that Solbrig will stay engaged in his retirement.