Norman’s First Gastroenterologist Retires After More than 47 Years

In his more than 47 years as a physician, Philip Bird, MD, FACG has not only saved lives, but built buildings and donated to the community. This year, Dr. Bird is retiring from his practice at GI of Norman and the health system is celebrating his legacy in our community.

Dr. Bird decided to become a physician after his mother, a Latin teacher, told him that his best bet was to be either a plumber or a doctor as both those careers made good money. With his love of Latin, problem-solving and people, Dr. Bird set his mind to becoming a physician.

Education

He attended the University of Oklahoma to earn his undergraduate degree in zoology. When he applied to medical school, he remembers the panel asking him about his grades.

“I had made up my mind, I was going to be a doctor,” Dr. Bird said. “I looked them right in the eye and was honest and forthright. Even if I didn’t make it then, I would be back.”

Dr. Bird made it into medical school at the University of Oklahoma and obtained a scholarship to help pay tuition. He worked long hours on freight docks to afford school and achieve his dream.

In medical school and as he was working at the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation (OMRF), he was selected by Leonard Eliel, the then Director of Research at OMRF, to work at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston alongside other medical students from Harvard University. This was part of Dr. Bird’s work with OMRF.

“I had phlebotomy experience and worked there for about three months,” Dr. Bird said. “I would show up everyone else at starting IVs and did a good job with the patients.”

Dr. Bird graduated from OU Medical School in 1971, fulfilling the dream he had since childhood. In 1974, he became certified in Internal Medicine and was certified in his gastroenterology (GI) fellowship in 1977. He had considered cardiology as well, but a mentor and his love of medically treating patients, convinced Dr. Bird to pursue gastroenterology.

Gastroenterology Services Arrive in Norman

“Dr. Jack Welch suggested I start my practice in Norman since I would be the only gastroenterologist. I took his advice and signed a lease with Doctors Park,” Dr. Bird said.

His practice was thriving and soon he needed more space to see patients. Dr. Bird joined together with several physicians to buy an old motel, Norman Courts, and its land, just north of the former Norman Regional Hospital on Porter Avenue.

In 1984, the Robinson Medical Plaza opened where the Norman Courts motel once stood, with Dr. Bird’s practice housed on the top floor. The building had both medical clinics and endoscopy procedure areas. Dr. Bird also donated the buildings crossed the street to the Salvation Army for a shelter along Porter Avenue.

“Since that time, my practice has grown and it has been such a pleasure to work with Drs. Arora, Parikh, Black, and Tran who helped increase the size of GI of Norman,” Dr. Bird said.

During his more than 47-year career caring for patients, Dr. Bird strove to advocate for patients and bring awareness to GI issues. He often spoke about endoscopic procedures such as removing foreign bodies and biliary tract evaluations using endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). He also spoke about Hepatitis A, B and C.

Dr. Bird traveled to rural areas of Oklahoma, bringing them the GI expertise they needed. He would routinely visit Holdenville, Purcell and Pauls Valley to see patients.

He married his wife Charla in 1995. They have two children together, and Dr. Bird has five children total – four daughters and one son. Charla Bird enjoys the times she would help Dr. Bird, driving with him to the hospital as he signed charts and saw patients, while she waited in the doctors’ lounge.

After many years in private practice, the physicians decided to sell their practice to Norman Regional Health System. After that transition, the practice of Drs. Vincent Petros and Abhishek Polavarapu joined the team and were a great addition to increase GI services in Norman, Dr. Bird said. Just this year, GI of Norman moved the clinic to 700 S. Telephone Road in Moore.

He noted that in his career one of the best advancements in medicine has been the research and treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis).

“IBD and Crohn’s disease have wrecked people’s lives, but seeing the advancements made in testing and treatment is remarkable,” he said.

When asked his advice for patients after his years in medicine, Dr. Bird noted that diet is important; especially a diet high in protein, low in sugar and low in saturated fat. However, the best medicine, may be your mindset.

“The best advice I could give patients is to be confident that they can get better and then they can make it.”

The health system is hosting a retirement celebration for Dr. Bird from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 26 in the Boomer and Sooner Conference Rooms at Norman Regional Hospital, 3300 HealthPlex Parkway.

Dr. Bird wishes to thank the medical community in Norman and Oklahoma for their support throughout his career, he said. He wanted to especially thank his nurse of more than 18 years, Margo Sparks Ingraham.

“What I will miss the most is my patients and staff,” he said. “But once you’re a doctor – you’re always a doctor.”