While the move ushers in a new era in Starbuck’s rich medical history, Dr. Bösl said the merger is not meant as a sign of an impending retirement.

"Dr. Bösl has no intentions of retiring in the near future," said Bösl.

Yet the merger finalizes an already long-term working relationship between SCMC and the Starbuck Clinic. After mainly referring his patients to SCMC over the last few years, and working closely with each other during that time, Bösl said the merger "seemed like a natural fit." He said SCMC has a good hospital staff and facilities to care for the residents of Starbuck and their individual needs.

Though he has no intentions of retiring anytime soon, the move is meant with one eye on the future of the Starbuck Clinic and the communities long-term physician needs.

"I’m not thinking about retiring, yet long-term, the community will continue to need health care providers here," said Bösl.

Rau said the merger will help assure a long-term clinical presence in Starbuck even if Bösl should or someday would retire. While there won’t be any changes in the immediate future, Rau said SCMC is beginning a search to add a second family practice doctor to the Starbuck Clinic Staff. However, he cautioned searches of this type can often take up to six months to a year to complete.

In the meantime, it will be business as usual for the staff and patients of the Starbuck Clinic as a new era in Starbuck medical practices is underway.