Oaklawn’s Dr. Michael Sterrett to retire after 31 years
After 31 years with Oaklawn, Dr. Michael Sterrett will officially retire effective March 31, leaving behind a legacy of accomplishment and hundreds, if not thousands, of satisfied patients.
In fact, Dr. Sterrett says that the last few months have been a bit of a “farewell tour” as he sees his longtime patients for the final time.
Despite his retirement, Oaklawn Medical Group – ENT will continue as usual with Dr. Christopher Gaffga, who has been working alongside Dr. Sterrett since 2023.
Born and raised on the east side of Detroit, Dr. Sterrett actually began his professional journey as an electrical engineer after graduating from Michigan State University.
“I come from a family of engineers,” he said. “My father was an engineer, and I have three brothers that were engineers as well, and so I just followed that route. After graduating from Michigan State, I took an engineering position with Westinghouse in Maryland. After a year, I decided to switch my career path to medicine. I always wanted to be a doctor, but I just didn’t pursue it. I really felt that my personality was well suited to patient care and medicine rather than engineering.”
He took his medical school prerequisites at the University of Maryland while still working as an engineer.
Dr. Sterrett would go on to pursue his medical school education as well as his residency at the University of Maryland. With so many family members in Michigan, he bought into an ENT practice at Oaklawn in 1994 and established South Central Ear Nose and Throat (SCENT). After 12 years, Dr. Sterrett was joined in his practice by a former Maryland associate, Dr. Martin Goins.
In 2015, Dr. Sterrett sold SCENT to Oaklawn. The practice transitioned to Oaklawn Medical Group – Ear, Nose and Throat. He has served on Oaklawn’s Board of Directors and Medical Executive Committee as well as other committees.
He and his wife Debbie enjoy spending time at the family lake house in Mackinac City. Post retirement, the Sterretts are moving to Cincinnati, Ohio to be near youngest daughter Christa and her husband and two grandchildren. He added that he will enjoy vacationing as well with his oldest daughter Shelley, a neonatal intensive care nurse in Los Angeles.
Upon retirement, Dr. Sterrett looks forward to embracing his role as grandfather.
“With my daughter, son-in-law and grandkids in Cincinnati, we decided to purchase a home down there on a golf course,” he said. “We always knew we would go where the grand kids are, and we really want to spend as much time with them as we can.”
Oaklawn President and CEO Gregg Beeg noted that Dr. Sterrett has been an “invaluable member” of the Oaklawn medical team.
“He has provided exceptional care to countless patients with skill, compassion, and dedication,” said Beeg. “His expertise in ENT surgery has left a lasting impact on our hospital and the community we serve. While we will miss his presence in the operating room and his leadership among colleagues, we celebrate his well-earned retirement and express our deepest gratitude for his years of service. We wish him all the best in this next chapter of his life.”
Oaklawn Chief Medical Officer Dr. Summer Liston-Crandall shared the sentiment, noting that Dr. Sterrett will be “dearly missed.”
“He represents professional excellence, kindness and humor, and he has contributed much to Oaklawn’s patients, team, and our communities,” said Dr. Liston-Crandall. “He leaves a rich legacy, and we wish him the very best as he transitions to the next well-deserved chapter!”
Dr. Sterrett shared it has been “a wonderful, wonderful 31 years.”
“I have nothing but positive things to say about my experience here,” he said. “When I got back to Michigan, I didn’t see myself practicing in a small town until I got to Marshall and Oaklawn. And once I got here, I figured this was the best thing for me and my personality.”
Dr. Sterrett said what he will miss most is the day-to-day interactions with patients.
“I was telling someone the other day I will miss the patient contact the most,” he said. “I’ll also miss performing surgery. I love to operate. But I’ll deeply miss the daily conversations with the patients.”
