Aging Doctors Raise Patient Safety Concerns
PUBLISHED Oct 12, 2026, 11:04 AM ET
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In 2024, a survey found that almost one‑quarter of practicing physicians were sixty‑five or older, up from sixteen‑point‑eight percent in 2014. The rise in senior doctors has sparked debate over whether hospitals should implement cognitive screening to protect patients. A recent case in Jacksonville, Florida, illustrates the stakes: orthopedic surgeon Richard David Heekin retired at sixty‑five after patients reported impaired balance and speech. Within three years of his retirement, five‑hundred‑twenty‑two lawsuits were filed against him and Ascension St. Vincent’s Riverside Hospital, alleging the institution knew of his decline yet allowed him to continue operating. The controversy highlights a broader national challenge. As the physician workforce ages, hospitals face pressure to balance experience with safety. Legal challenges and professional resistance complicate efforts to mandate assessments, leaving patients and providers in a precarious position.
By Lauren B. | JQJO News
Timeline of Events
- On May 27 2026 AAMC releases updated data on aging physician workforce.
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