>> Marlyn Reiter: He's just a marvelous human being
and a wonderful doctor.
>> Bart Fisher: He's very caring.
He's funny.
He's animated, and I think above all he listens.
>> Lowell Engel, DDS: I would describe Dr. Sacks as an optimist,
and by that I mean he's always very helpful in finding solutions
to whatever problem the patient presents him with.
>> Bart Fisher: Well, I think Dr. Sacks is a great example of a primary care physician.
>> Lowell Engle: Medicine is very specialized and even sub-specialized.
There's a need for someone to oversee all of this complexity.
>> Elmer Richter: For the last 38 years he's been involved in our life.
We live for a third to half the time in Fresno, California, that's our home base,
and the rest of the time here in Coronado.
And Dr. Sacks has been the coach and quarterback in making all that be so successful.
>> Bart Fisher: In the last couple of decades I've had health issues, which as people age
that's usually what happens, and Dr. Sacks has been excellent.
I wouldn't go anywhere else.
First my disequilibrium and headaches that lead him to diagnose me with an acoustic neuroma,
which is a tumor adjacent to the brain.
A very scary time in my life.
That was followed by the determination that I had Barrett's esophagus.
And later with anemia, Dr. Sacks directed me to a GI doctor that found a bleeding ulcer
that was in the process of converting to esophageal cancer but had not yet done so.
And I'm still in the process of being treated for that.
Which then led me to, in one of the surgeries associated with that, a lymph node was removed
and they found a low-grade lymphoma in my lymph node.
As my primary care physician he's been key to my ability to be here today.
>> Elmer Richter: Jan and I were so pleased to learn that Scripps is honoring Peter
by naming the new waiting room for primary care in his name.
And we all know he's just an example of what many of these, probably all of the physicians
in primary care, have given to their patients.
>> Bart Fisher: He's touched so many patients in such significant ways that it's completely
appropriate to honor him.
>> Lowell Engle: Peter, enjoy your retirement.
I know it's going to be hard for you not to be seeing patients every day,
but believe me there is life after practice.
I know that you will find ways to enjoy it with your wife.
Thanks for all the years of care.
>> Marlyn Reiter: I want to thank him with all my heart
for getting me to 82 years of age.
I started when I was about 40, and I'm grateful to you beyond all measure.
You have not just been my doctor, but you've been a friend and a gentleman.
And I always look forward to a hug.
Thank you!