With the encouragement of several Dr. Terry Dietrich’s patients and friends on the Mid-Shore, the Spy sought out an opportunity to interview one of the Shore’s only neurologists as he reached the fifty years milestone of his career in medicine. In fact, for most of that time, Dr. Dietrich was the only neurologist on the Delmarva, and the Spy looked forward to getting a perspective of those five decades and how both medical and our society has changed in its attitude and treatment of dementia.
And while Dr. Dietrich was kind enough to accept our invitation, the last thing he wanted to talk about was some retrospective of his life’s work. As someone who continues his practice, albeit part-time these days, he was much more focused on the present;the “here and now” of the research and science of neurology. Perhaps one reason for this detour was the recent and sobering news that experts predict that the number of adults with dementia will exceed 150 million by 2050.
That stunning statistic, along with findings that suggest this condition is a major threat to future health and social care systems, is just one troubling sign that dementia, and its associated diseases like Alzheimer’s and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), which is now impacting football players, will becomes worse, not better, in the United States.
Even as scientists double-down in the search for a cure, the history of finding therapeutic solutions to memory loss has been painfully slow, according to Dietrich.
He noted that somewhat dismal state of affairs when we last interviewed him three years ago when we profiled the Samuel and Alexia Bratton Neurocognitive Clinic at Bayleigh Chase in Easton. Nonetheless, at the time of that conversation, he had just returned from one of the largest neurology conferences and found himself for the first time in twenty years genuinely excited about promising new therapies that were to enter into clinical trials over the next five years.
But as Dr. Dietrich highlights in his Spy interview, no one could have possibly envisioned at the time the devastating impact that the COVID pandemic would have on research and those suffering from dementia. Beyond the fact that many of those planned studies have now lost two years as clinics shut their doors, patients were not able to see doctors, socially engage, or do physical exercise, all critical to keeping memory loss at bay.
For those who know Dr. Dietrich, it will come as no surprise that he ends our interview being positive nonetheless. It will also come as no shock that he has no plans to ever retire as he continues to serve his patients and their loved ones in managing this horrific disease.
This video is approximately fourteen minutes in length. For more information about Samuel and Alexia Bratton Neurocognitive Clinic at Bayleigh Chase please go here.
Brian H. Childs says
Terry is a physician and a person I have admired, butt heads with, and worked with for 12 years when I was at Shore Health as an ethicist. He is also one fine neurologist and I would never hesitate to refer a loved one to him. Keep it going Terry.
Brian H. Childs
Professor of Bioethics
Mercer University School of Medicine
Savannah, Ga.
Craig Fuller says
A wonderful interview with Dr. Dietrich who brings so much candor, caring, experience and enthusiasm to the practice of medicine. My respect for him has no bounds, as I learned so much about how to care for a loved one experiencing cognitive issues during her last several months of life. Thanks to his wise counsel, my late wife enjoyed a life with friends and family right up until the point where her body decided it was time to shut down. Hearing his thoughtful wisdom now reminds me of just how deeply I appreciated the care he provided a few years ago.
Jacqueline Smith says
Dr. Terry Detrich is the best! We are so fortunate to have him as a resource and a caring knowledgeable physician in our community. He treated the evolution of Parkinson’s disease for over 15 years with my husband with the most professionalism, compassion, and knowledge. You can’t ask for anything more!
Linda Baker says
So nice to see this interview with Dr Dietrich. I have to be honest, I was afraid to go to him when I was suffering with neurological problems due to rumors of his tough demeanor. I found him to be direct, no nonsense, a little sarcastic, and very knowledgeable. I liked him right away! He was not like many drs you come across today, where they follow a protocol of standard procedure for every patient. He thinks outside the box, treats his patients in regards to their specific symptoms, and of course his experience is a huge factor. Dr Dietrich, thank you for all you have done and continue to do.
Linda G Hopkins Darling says
I worked with Terry Detrich for the first 11 years of my nursing career. He built our neuro unit and built the nursing staff through education and commitment. I learned a wealth of knowledge, observational and decision making skills from this amazing doctor. It was the most exciting and satisfying time in my nursing career.
Dr Detrich also cared for my father for many years as his Lewy Body Disease progressed. He gave me wise advice in difficult times and I have always been grateful for all the care he gave my family.
Brian J. Corden says
Dr. Dietrich is too modest. (I never thought I would say that!) He states he is not a scientist yet he chaired the most scientific committee at the Hospital for many years. The Pharmacy and Therapeutics committee is responsible for overseeing and monitoring all of the drugs used in the Hospital: their efficacy, side effects and, yes, even their cost. He followed the science on the bewildering array of new and old medications and he should be proud of the results.
Brian J. Corden, MD
Kay Duehrssen says
You need to keep pushing these studies.
Our community needs your help!