Доктор Дуан Бирс завершил 51-летнюю карьеру в Сокорро и переходит к миссионерской стоматологии

After 46 years in Socorro, Dr. Duane Beers retires, leaving a legacy of care and community After decades of caring for generations of Socorro families, local dentist Dr. Duane H. Beers is stepping away from full-time practice, closing a remarkable 51-year career in dentistry that has been defined as much by relationships as by dental care. Beers, who began practicing dentistry in 1975, officially sold his practice last week to Dr. Benjamin Waits, who also operates a practice in Peralta, NM. While the ownership has changed, Beers is helping with the transition and hopes his successor will come to love Socorro as much as he has. "I've been trying hard to find a person like me to replace myself," Beers said. "Someone who wants a rural practice, who knows people by name and builds relationships. It's not just about drilling and filling and billing." Beers' journey to Socorro began after graduating from Washington University School of Dental Medicine in St. Louis. He spent five years serving with the Indian Health Service in Zuni, where he eventually became chief dental officer, met his wife Beth, a nurse, and discovered he was perfectly suited for rural medicine. Growing up in the small farming community of Durham, Calif., Beers said he always envisioned practicing in a town where neighbors knew one another. "I know the names of my patients, their spouses, their dogs, where they live and what they like to do," he said. "I wouldn't have it any other way." After visiting communities throughout New Mexico, Beers chose Socorro over other opportunities and opened his practice on May 1, 1980. His first patient was Benny Baca, who immediately offered to help the new dentist establish roots in town by handing out over 100 button pins with his business information and introducing him throughout the community. Over the years, Beers became active in the Lions Club, served as president of the local business association, coached Little League, and raised his two daughters, Megan and Kristen, in Socorro. His family embraced the community, with his daughters excelling in competitive swimming and even inspiring him to build an 82-foot swimming pool in their backyard that became a hang-out for local kids. As dentistry evolved, Beers embraced new technology, introducing computer-aided design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM) systems that allowed crowns and other restorations to be created in his office. Recognizing the opportunity to mentor future dentists, he began hiring New Mexico Tech pre-dental students, teaching them the software while they accumulated the observation hours required for dental school. Instead of simply shadowing, the students became skilled members of his team. "I hired them and taught them how to design teeth," Beers said. "They picked up the technology incredibly fast." Throughout his career, Beers also helped establish a statewide study club for rural dentists, allowing practitioners to meet regularly, discuss difficult cases and stay current with advances in dentistry. As retirement begins, Beers says the hardest part will be saying goodbye to the people he has served for nearly half a century. "I'm going to miss the relationships," he said. "If I go to Walmart, I'll see a half-dozen people I know. That's what I'll miss the most." Retirement, however, does not mean slowing down. For the past 24 years, Beers has participated in dental mission work through organizations like Global Health Outreach. He owns portable dental equipment that allows him to provide care almost anywhere in the world and has traveled to countries around the globe responding to disasters and serving underserved communities. His next planned mission is to Istanbul, Turkey, later this year, followed by the possibility of spending a month in northern Zimbabwe, where he would not only provide dental treatment but also train local volunteers to assist with care. "I'll probably spend more time doing mission dentistry now," he said. Beers believes he is leaving the practice in capable hands. Dr. Waits has already begun seeing patients in Socorro while continuing to practice in Peralta. "I think he's a good dentist," Beers said. "We're praying he'll fall in love with Socorro like I did."