GP Dr John Pearson retires after more than 27 years in Tamworth with Barton Lane Practice

The long-serving Tamworth GP spent two years early on learning medicine from the wrong side of the bed, after a horrible accident while working in remote Papua New Guinea.

"You really don't understand what it's like to be a patient unless you have been one," he said.

"That goes true for life, you can never really understand anybody else unless you have walked their path."

Dr Pearson has spent decades channelling that love and passion for all people into his work as a general practitioner.

But, after more than 27 years in Tamworth at Barton Lane Practice, it's time for Dr Pearson to hang up the stethoscope.

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"It is a rare honour to be trusted with the care of my patients, and it is quite humbling to know they would seek my opinion at some of the most trying times of their lives," he said.

"People are ever so important ... everybody has a story and all you have to do is to take some time and listen and build a bridge across to them."

Dr Pearson knew he wanted to study medicine, and found his calling as a general practitioner trained to care for people in every aspect, in rural or developing communities.

He has spent time over the course of his rich career in Sydney, Papua New Guinea, Orange, West Wyalong and Tamworth, where he remains into retirement.

He's part of a generation of GPs that delivered babies, and now watches as they walk into his room as adults.

It's become a common occurrence lately to treat three generations of the same family.

But, Dr Pearson has a family of his own, his children largely raised in Tamworth and now living in different places.

Retirement plans will be coloured by how the COVID-19 pandemic pans out, but he's looking forward to catching up with family, continuing involvement in his church and mentoring different people.

He said it's been a great honour to be a part of the Barton Lane Practice history.

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