After earning a medical degree from The Ohio State University College of Medicine and completing an internship and residency in internal medicine at Mount Carmel Medical Center in Columbus, Gerald Ehrsam, M.D., decided to establish a medical practice with three of his classmates – Mark Mitchell, M.D., Robert Kamps, M.D., and Edward Partyka, M.D.  The group visited local hospitals and cities searching for a community that needed internists – physicians who specialize in internal medicine.  The four agreed on Newark as the location for their practice after researching Licking Memorial Hospital (LMH) and other aspects of Licking County, including the friendly, peaceful community it offered in which to raise a family.  In 1976, they opened a practice focused on the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of adult diseases.    

“We were drawn to LMH from the very beginning because of the administration’s dedication to quality care, new technology and Licking County residents.  LMH leaders held improving the health of the community as the highest priority,” Dr. Ehrsam recalled.  

The four physicians maintained the private practice for 20 years.  However, changes in medical care policies and advancing technology created challenges to providing the best care for patients.  

In 1996, Dr. Ehrsam and Dr. Mitchell were among the founding members of Licking Memorial Health Professionals (LMHP) – a group of more than 100 health care professionals.  “Once we began working with LMH, we were able to concentrate on people and care for everyone instead of worrying about paperwork and finances,” Dr. Ehrsam said. 
 
Throughout his 40 year medical career, Dr. Ehrsam witnessed many changes at LMH.  When he moved to Newark, most medical providers were either family physicians or general practitioners.  Now, LMHP consists of dozens of specialties, such as Endocrinology, Neurology, Vascular Surgery and Infectious Disease.  “All of these specialty physicians are very good for the community.  Patients do not have to travel far from home to receive the care and treatment they require,” said Dr. Ehrsam.  In addition to more medical specialties, Dr. Ehrsam has witnessed changes in technology.  The addition of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) scans has led to more accurate diagnosis and specific treatments.  

Medical procedures also have developed and changed with the use of technology.  Invasive procedures, such as opening blocked arteries in the heart, now can be done using imaging and small non-invasive tools.  Many procedures that once required surgery, now can be performed in a physician’s office.  

Another major advancement in medicine was the Electronic Health Record (EHR).  Creating an EHR offers more consistency and standardization of care for patients and reduces the opportunities for errors.  In 2004, Dr. Ehrsam was named LMHP Director of Medical Informatics.  In this capacity, he assisted in the development of the outpatient EHR and worked to educate newly hired physicians on its use.

For Dr. Ehrsam, the best memories he has of his work at LMH are the staff and leadership.  “It was a great pleasure to work with so many wonderful physicians and nurses.  LMH hires the most highly 
qualified medical professionals and consists of an incredible group of people who care deeply about the Licking County community.  I cannot say enough about the leadership and Board members,” Dr. Ehrsam said.  “The Board members, along with President & CEO Rob Montagnese, make sure the physicians are supported in every possible way and have everything they need to provide quality care.”

Dr. Ehrsam slowly concluded his career at LMH by first working part-time with Licking Memorial Internal Medicine, then performing only his duties as the Director of Medical Informatics.  He officially retired in 2019 and now focuses his energy on his family.  Dr. Ehrsam and his wife, Linda, have three children and nine grandchildren.  His daughters, Kelly and Amy, both live in Licking County.  His son, Jerry, lives in Columbus.  Dr. Ehrsam is grateful to have them all so close and enjoys attending his grandchildren’s sporting events and concerts.  While he and his wife do enjoy taking vacations, they prefer to spend as much time as possible with their family and their beloved dog, Roxie.  Dr. Ehrsam is enjoying retirement and spending time engaging in the activities he felt he was too busy to do while practicing medicine, such as reading, exercising regularly at Denison University, working in the yard and flying his drones.