Physician Ellen Herring Retires

(Image:  Crystal Lake Health Center)

One of Bear Lake's familiar faces won't be seen in the exam room any longer.  Ellen Herring, Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) has just retired.  Yesterday was her last day.  Herring worked for Crystal Lake Clinic for 20 years, with the last decade spent full-time at the Bear Lake location.

Herring and her husband plan to visit family members throughout Michigan in the coming months.  Afterwards, they expect to travel to other states and winter at Merritt Island, Florida.  They will continue to maintain a home in Honor, near Rush Lake.

"I have been very happy taking care of all the wonderful patients in Bear Lake and the surrounding area," said Herring.  "We love Benzie and Manistee counties and will be out and about doing touristy things, such as art fairs, community plays, music in the parks, farm markets and everything else we can attend in the area."

Some patients were surprised to learn of the news.  Crystal Lake Clinic administration did not send out letters to her patients before her retirement.  A call to the main office in Benzonia was answered today by an unidentified receptionist.  It was not immediately clear how or when patients would be reassigned to another doctor, or how prescriptions would be issued in the meantime.  Questions on these topics were referred to office staff, away for the Memorial Day holiday but expected to return on Tuesday.