My wife received a letter in the mail the other day from her obstetrician-gynecologist, Duncan R. Neilson, Jr. He was announcing that he's stepping down from practice at the end of the year to assume a leadership role in the Portland-based Legacy Health Systems hierarchy.

What a coup for Legacy, and what a loss for Dr. Neilson's patients. He is simply one of the best physicians on the planet. Without his care, guidance, and support, we would not have our two beautiful daughters. When we were ready to give up trying to have children, when things were their darkest (and believe me, they got very dark, on more than one occasion), he gave us hope. And the means to make the greatest things happen, eventually.

What do you want from a doctor? Knowledge? Wisdom? Experience? Strength? Steadiness? Attentiveness? Empathy? Frankness? Optimism? Professionalism? Warmth? Decency? Humility? Advocacy for your needs? We found no shortage of any of it in this man. (He is also a top-notch photographer, but that's a whole different post entirely.)

While we were in the hospital for the birth of our oldest, one of the veteran labor nurses referred to him (out of his earshot, of course) as "Saint Neilson." She was only half-kidding. The good doctor has earned the respect and admiration of many.

We wish Dr. Neilson the very best in his new position, but like so many of his patients and their partners, we will miss him enormously.