Longtime Stone Harbor School Doctor Steps Down

Posted August 29th 2022

After 47 years of appointed service, Dr. Robert Speer is officially stepping down as the school physician for Stone Harbor Elementary School. For nearly five decades, Speer was an integral part of the school’s health-care system, specifically in the past two years addressing the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing regulations.

Stone Harbor School Board President Suzanne Walters honored Speer with a plaque at a school board meeting in August.

“So much has changed over the years, but Dr. Speer has remained a consistent role of support for this school, working directly with our school nurses and staff every year to assure our students stay safe and healthy,” said Walters. “We are so grateful for his time and true dedication to this school, specifically during the COVID-19 pandemic. He was on top of things throughout, worked closely with our staff to make sure everyone had the most updated guidelines, and focused on the students’ health.”

While Speer has retired as the school physician, he continues his medical practice in Stone Harbor as a rheumatology specialist. In the meantime, Dr. Tara Vogdes, who also runs a practice in Stone Harbor, was appointed to fill his longstanding position. While the position requirements have changed in the past 47 years, the mission remains consistent: to assist and supervise the nursing staff in ensuring the health and safety of students and faculty.

“The nurses at this school are top-notch, and excellent at what they do,” Speer said. “They do a really good job at addressing any issues or questions.”

Photo caption: Outgoing school physician Dr. Robert Speer is flanked by Stone Harbor Schools nurse Deb Bossuyt (left) and Stone Harbor School Board President Suzanne Walters.