Just as children sometimes resist a visit to the doctor’s office, Dr. Mary Bowers describes her entrance into the medical field as “kicking and screaming.” She had grown up around medicine and academics, but had little interest in the medical field before meeting practicing physicians.
As a result, Bowers was 10 years out of college when she began medical school at the University of Washington as part of the WWAMI program. Prior to moving to Sheridan, Bowers completed her residency in Chicago on the south side of the city and clerked in a small pediatric office in Pocatello, Idaho, where she enjoyed the small-town atmosphere.
Now, as Bowers prepares to close her practice, Goose Creek Pediatrics in Sheridan, her retirement comes with mixed emotions for the longtime provider.
“Practicing medicine in a small-town setting comes with both great rewards and real demands,” Bowers said. “I’m ready for a new chapter and leave with a sense of appreciation, closure and a bit of relief. It’s been meaningful work, and I leave with respect for the time and effort it took from all involved.”
Finding community in Sheridan
As Bowers wrapped up her medical training, Dr. Barry Wohl reached out regarding a position in Sheridan, Wyoming. He was the only pediatrician in town and recruited Bowers to work with him. She did for two years, crediting him with setting the bar high for pediatric care in the community. After two years, Bowers opened her own practice in Sheridan.
In the early years, Bowers and Wohl were on call for emergencies of all kinds no matter the time of day or season of Wyoming weather. Bowers recalled trekking into the hospital in blizzards and storms that prevented patients from traveling anywhere else for care.
Bowers has cared for children with nearly every type of childhood cancer. She has witnessed births and deaths. She has responded to calls for help at all hours. She has experienced burnout and has encountered heartbreaking situations that required assistance from Child Protective Services.
“We saw it all,” Bowers said.
Bowers laughed that she has stayed in pediatric medicine for more than three decades because, despite its challenges, “it still beats night calving.”
While she has provided excellent care in difficult situations, she has also cared for many healthy children, through multiple generations. She has been part of joyous occasions and has enjoyed seeing children grow and thrive in the community.
A team effort
While Bowers operated her own practice in Sheridan for many years, she said she wouldn’t have been able to do so without the support of the other pediatricians and providers in Sheridan County.
These support systems, she said, are why she feels confident in transferring care to other providers in the community and why she reached out to ensure her retirement went smoothly.
Dr. Suzanne Oss, a pediatrician at Northeast Wyoming Pediatric Associates recognizes the years of service Bowers has given to the Sheridan community.
“Dr. Bowers has worked tirelessly for many years and has advocated for her patients through it all,” Oss said. “She is a skilled pediatrician and has provided excellent care for children in the community for decades. She will be missed, but we congratulate her on this next chapter in her life.”
Bowers will close Goose Creek Pediatrics on June 13, 2025. She is actively working with Northeast Wyoming Pediatric Associates and Sheridan Memorial Hospital Primary Care to transfer the care of patients to providers in those offices.
While Bowers said she is looking forward to new adventures, she noted the privilege she felt in caring for the community’s children and being part of their health and growth.
“I’m deeply grateful for the relationships built during my more than 30 years of practice in Sheridan,” she said.
As Dr. Bowers prepares to retire, her legacy of care continues through the trusted providers at Northeast Wyoming Pediatric Associates and Sheridan Memorial Hospital Primary Care. If your child is a current patient, now is the time to connect with a new provider and ensure a smooth transition. Our community is here to support you every step of the way.