Dr Giefers article states "I just learned last week that I was not offered a position with the new UW Medicine clinic and my current contract with Island Hospital will be ending at the end of this month."   This is very different than your statement of, "we never anticipated, nor did UW medicine, that Dr Giefer would decide to retire on June 30! ". There can only be one truth.

Who will be the primary physician between June 30 and when University of Washington medicine takes over? If Dr Giefer was not hired as the physician, who was?   Will we be provided with one primary care physician or will there be an ongoing rotation of residents?   These questions are not being asked to be difficult, but are asked to assist in making  the best informed decision for my family (and likely others will need the same information).

To that end - I wish Dr Giefer nothing but the best in his retirement. He deserves it!!!!!!