Search
Close this search box.

Long-time Fort Walton Beach pediatrician, Dr. Douglas Rigby, set to retire after 42 years

For over 40 years, Dr. Douglas Rigby has been caring for Fort Walton Beach area children and helping their parents navigate the ups and downs of parenthood. The special bond that he has with families is truly unique and spans three generations.  In celebration of that bond and Dr. Rigby’s service to the community, White-Wilson Medical […]

WWMC

For over 40 years, Dr. Douglas Rigby has been caring for Fort Walton Beach area children and helping their parents navigate the ups and downs of parenthood. The special bond that he has with families is truly unique and spans three generations. 

In celebration of that bond and Dr. Rigby’s service to the community, White-Wilson Medical Center is inviting all to join them for a Retirement Celebration on Wednesday, May 31. 

  • The family-friendly celebration will take place at White-Wilson’s Fort Walton Beach campus, 1005 Mar Walt Drive from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

The celebration will feature light refreshments, as well as the opportunity for community members including patients of all ages, families, colleagues and friends to personally express their appreciation to Dr. Rigby. All are welcome to stop by to thank him and wish him well in his retirement.

“Dr. Rigby has been a prominent and influential presence since he started his medical career here at White-Wilson,” said the medical group’s CEO Alan Gieseman. “His exceptional clinical ability, compassion and his outgoing personality are unmatched and something so many physicians who have followed in his footsteps strive to achieve. His retirement will be a great loss for us, but we are excited to have the opportunity to bring our community together to express our gratitude.”

Dr. Rigby began working at White-Wilson in 1981 and has since established himself as a renowned pediatrician and leader. He served as President of the White-Wilson Board of Directors for 20 years and has been named “Best Pediatric Practice on the Emerald Coast” and “Best Pediatrician in Destin.” 

  • “He has certainly made a lasting impact on our organization and community,” Gieseman continued. “He is more than just a colleague; he is a mentor and friend to me and so many others. He is going to be missed, but I can’t think of anyone more deserving of a fulfilling retirement.”

4 Responses

  1. At one time I was privileged to work for Dr. Rigby. He was a solid friend to and for his patients and their families. He was kind and compassionate to his employees.

  2. Dr Rigby was my children’s and the my grandchildren’s pediatrician. He’s irreplaceable and will be missed!
    Congrats on your retirement Dr Rigby, enjoy your well deserved retirement!

  3. Dr Rigby delivered my son together with dr Arthur Lester 1983. He also took care of my son born in 1982. He and his wife Valerie were good friends.

  4. Dr. Rigby was an amazing Pediatrician who never faltered in going the extra mile for his patients!
    It was a privilege in my opinion to have Dr. Rigby care for my children from infancy thru adulthood!
    Thank you Dr. Rigby for the exceptional care given to my family!
    We love you and wish you the very best retirement has to offer! You truly deserve it!

Join the conversation...

Continue reading 👇

Community Comments

“Thanks Jared for a concise factual article. Too much false narratives floating around social media.”
Respond
“Thee is no such a thing as affordable housing for over half the people that live in this area. People can’t afford 300, 400 or 500k for a house. Build...”
Respond
“That portion has been closed because of wild hogs destroying it, I believe”
Respond
“Got make up for the 10 mill purchase of the SS United States and getting fined 1k a day while it still sits in port”
Respond
“Follow the $. It's highly probable the developers have a military connection. And "affordable housing" is a sad case of smoke and mirrors.”
Respond
“Why not give the actual location of the new school, but from the little you gave on that point, I'm "assuming" that it will, like just about nearly every school...”
Respond
“Is HCA Twin Cities able to provide cardiac care?”
Respond
“It is amazing on one hand Walton county will purchase 2,000 acres for a state park and claim it is all about the enviroment amd protecting the Florida Black Bear...”
Respond
“Here goes all our natural Woods & Wild Life . Next thing you know they'll be building Businesses. And Gas Stations . And Big Houses .”
Respond
“It would be nice to know where it will be located. What about designs and will it have primitive camping or a combination of RV sites. What, no artist rendition?...”
Respond

GET OUR FREE LOCAL NEWSLETTER

Get the weekday email that actually makes reading local news enjoyable again.