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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 […]

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.”
PROMOTION

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!

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Community Comments

“Good Job! We live in Fort Walton and have been spending time in Fredericksburg, Virginia...the data center capital of the world. You have made a very good decision.”
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“At minimum, reduce property tax for senior citizens. Property taxes normally increase yearly but senior's income doesn't. Every time we get a social security raise, our Medicare premiums go up....”
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Scott Schaeffler commented on WordroW: August 12, 2026
“1:17, 4 attempts”
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“Crab Island is being ruined by the massive traffic. We should not be proud of, or promote this.”
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“Wonderful gesture toward honoring a part of the towns history especially an enslaved man that many would not know about,,,,,,wlsh was possible for me to attend, but hope for a...”
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“Story states that total general fund revenue is $118.7 million. Earlier story in Get the Coast (Jul 8th) put the proposed 2027 Budget general fund at $191.1 million. So, it's...”
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Scott Schaeffler commented on WordroW: August 11, 2026
“1:04, 4 attempts”
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“I would like to see the 2019 budget, and what amount of that budget came from property taxes, the Okaloosa County population in 2019, and the number of properties taxed...”
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