But Reifsnyder, who retired on Oct. 1, didn’t commit to a career in medicine until his first year in college.

“It’s been a delight working with the new, young, well-trained emergency physicians Geisinger brought to Lewistown,” Reifsnyder said. “I will miss working with them and everyone who has taken such great care of our patients.”

A career in emergency medicine can be a rewarding and exciting way to help others and provide extremely important, lifesaving care to patients.

Reifsnyder became one of the hospital’s familiar emergency medicine physicians. He began his career in 1981 as a family physician in the United States Navy and joined Geisinger-Lewistown Hospital in 1988. Reifsnyder also served in the Gulf War in 1991.

Photo courtesy of GEISINGER-LEWISTOWN HOSPITAL
Dr. Daniel Reifsnyder (right) and his wife, Beth, celebrate his retirement from Geisinger-Lewistown Hospital.

Through years of service to our country and community, his most fulfilling time as a physician was actually during the first months of the pandemic.

“It was a time of uncertainty, but somehow it made me feel like I had a purpose,” Reifsnyder said.

“I surely had never expected to have a ‘hot zone’ tent outside my ER in Lewistown,” added Reifsnyder, referring to the large white tent where COVID patients received care.

He credits his wife, Beth, and their children for much of his success.

“It’s not easy to have a physician in the family who is always working nights, weekends and holidays and missing important events,” he said.

But the sacrifices paid off as part of Reifsnyder’s success and contribution to Geisinger Lewistown Hospital was his integral role in the growth of the Emergency Department.

“Dr. Reifsnyder’s attention to detail, extreme care and concern for our patients and ability to lead our teams has taken what we do to the next level,” said Alex Haines, nursing operations manager, Emergency Department at Geisinger Lewistown Hospital.

Reifsnyder’s colleagues celebrated his career with a farewell celebration.

“We congratulate Dr. Reifsnyder on his retirement,” added Stacey Osborne, vice president and chief nursing officer at Geisinger Lewistown Hospital. “His expertise and experience will be greatly missed. We’re grateful for his many years of service.”

Reifsnyder plans to enjoy retirement with Beth and his family. He’ll fill his time with leisure, travel and flying his personal airplane.

“We wish Dr. Reifsnyder well in his retirement,” Haines said. “His dedication to our patients and communities is so commendable and we thank him for all that he has given to others.”

Now, Reifsnyder gets to enjoy some well-earned time to himself and with his family.