A familiar face is once again seeing patients at Rugby’s Johnson Clinic.

Long-time family practice physician Dr. Donald McIntyre has returned and will see patients for a period of time, likely through the end of the year, according to Bonnie Mattern, clinic administrator.

“We’re delighted he was willing to come back,’ Mattern said. “He is well known in the area and has a lot of experience.”

McIntyre, who initially retired from his practice at the Johnson Clinic in the spring of 1995, had been working as a locum physician, helping out temporarily different facilities.

The clinic has so added family nurse practitioner Deb Schmitt. She is a North Dakota native, currently commuting from Hurdsfield. Mattern said she, too, has a lot of experience and understands rural medical practices.

Both McIntyre and Schmitt started on June 1.

Dr. Enubuzor leaving

The clinic will be losing Dr. Harriet Enubuzor later this month. Enubuzor, who has been with the clinic since September of 2003, is moving to Minneapolis with her family. Enubuzor will go to work for a medical facility in the Twin Cities area.

One of the reasons for leaving was for more work opportunities for her husband, Sunday, and also to have easier access to air travel to reach family elsewhere, Enubuzor said.

She came to North Dakota following several years of medical experience working in hospitals in New York City. The adjustment to Rugby was a smooth one, Enubuzor said, noting the people here have been wonderful to her family. “My kids loved it here,’ she said.

While they were here, the Enbuzors began a project to establish a clinic in Sunday’s native Nigeria, and the community and medical center have assisted in that project, donating supplies and equipment. Enubuzor said that clinic is open and remains a work in progress.