Dr. David Roer always knew he wanted to go into medicine. As a youngster, he watched his mother, a nurse, take care of patients. It seemed like medicine was the best career fit for him.
Roer grew up in Mountaindale, New York, in the Catskill Mountains of upstate New York. After graduating from the State University of New York with a biology degree, Roer attended The Ohio State University to study cytogenetics. The field involves testing samples of tissue, blood, or bone marrow to discern the changes that occur in chromosomes, among other things.
But a career in lab research didn’t seem like the best fit for Roer, who graduated with the class of 1984 at the Wright State University School of Medicine.
“Why pediatrics? As my wife Jenni says, I’m just a big kid,” Roer said. “I have always loved seeing patients and families and developed a love for pediatrics.”
Roer began his medical career at Dayton Children’s Hospital, where he completed his residency. Much of his training took place in the emergency room there. He would go on to finish his residency in 1987. In 1989, he started Pediatric Associates of Dayton with local partners.
After just completing his residency, Dr. Roer became a preceptor for the Wright State University School of Medicine in 1987. At the time, he was an attending and helped to teach the medical students working at Dayton Children’s Hospital.
“I very much enjoy being a preceptor,” Roer said. “Teaching medical students is rewarding, keeps me interested, and on my toes. It is always exciting to see students wanting to learn and absorb all they can.”
Pediatric Associates of Dayton has grown to three locations in the area. There are 16 pediatric health care providers who work there. Medical students from the Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine rotate through the practice’s offices in Beavercreek, Englewood, and Kettering.
Dr. Roer understands that medical school can be overwhelming, and he takes time to advise the students on their progress. As someone who has been practicing medicine for decades, Roer can give them a deeper perspective.
“My biggest advice for medical students would be, ‘Don’t get overwhelmed.’ You can often wonder, ‘How am I going to ever learn all of the things I need to know?’” Roer said. “But, you will. It takes time, patience, and perseverance, but you will succeed.”
When he isn’t guiding the next generation of medical students, Dr. Roer likes to spend time on the golf course. Most of the time, he finds the game very relaxing and it gets him outdoors for several hours at a time.
Roer also takes regular trips to Charleston, South Carolina. The history, golf, and food there are the highlights of his visits.
“I can honestly say that I love what I do. There is nothing better than being in a room with my patients and their parents. The relationships I have formed mean the world. They all become part of my family,” Roer said. “Seeing my patients from being a newborn, grow up, attend graduate school, and become responsible adults is the best. And now, seeing them bring their children to me as patients — besides feeling old — makes me feel like I did something right.”
— Daniel Kelly
