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Highlands Today

Busy Doctor Adjusts To Retirement

Kathy Waters/Highlands Today

After almost 35 years of a busy career, Dr. Kye Pahk is now enjoying relaxation during his retirement.

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Sue Ann Carpenter

Published: January 28, 2008

SEBRING – Whenever someone moves to another country, the adjustments of language, food, culture and customs are overwhelming. Dr. Kye Pahk arrived from Korea in 1967 and interned in Nashville, at Cleveland Clinic in Ohio and then in Orlando.

In 1973 a Sebring internist, Dr. Robert Rengarts, encouraged him to move here and open his practice in urology.

Softening the uphill challenge of starting a new business was the fact that when Pahk came here he was the only urologist in Highlands County. His practice grew and within two years he was able to add a partner.

Soon his practice became one of the busiest in the state, handling all kidney and bladder problems. When Pahk recently decided to retire after almost 35 years, Dr. Anthony Arciola took over his practice.

Pahk finds retirement a big change from his previous fast pace.

"It's scary to have so much time," he said.

Now he regularly plays golf and has a 15-16 handicap.

Being a director of Highlands Independent Bank keeps him involved with other businesses in the community. His wife, Aeja, and their adult children John, Ann and Mike are all supportive.

His friends keep insisting he'll get bored, but he presently keeps busy with golf and fitting in some travel, saying "I want to take my time and adjust to retirement."

Although he continuously reminds himself to slow down, he would like to help with senior healthcare and plans to volunteer with Dr. Luis Pena at Samaritan's Touch Care Center, a clinic for medically indigent families and individuals with no health insurance.

One in six men will develop prostate cancer at some point in their lives, one of the most common types of cancer for men. That's why Pahk insists that every man after age 50 should be tested annually.

He feels that men's nature and their ego can make them their own worst enemies when they want to believe they're healthy. A symptom may be a slow or weakening of the urinary stream, but most men with prostate cancer have no symptoms at all. Yet when diagnosed by early detection, there's a 99 percent survival rate.

Most men agree to a test because of a wife's insistence. This simple PSA (prostate-specific antigen) blood test and DRE (digital rectal exam) can save or extend a life. Pahk feels this test should be considered a gift-for both the husband and wife.

Another common problem Pahk encountered was older women who suffer from incontinence or accidental leakage of urine. Although this can strike males or females, young or old, it's twice as likely to occur in women.

Pregnancy, childbirth, menopause and the structure of the female urinary tract account for the difference. People find this problem embarrassing and usually just try to live with it, but the cure is an easy one. The simple surgical procedure is typically covered by insurance and is on an outpatient or overnight basis.

"I love performing surgery the most, because afterward the people are so happy," Pahk said. "They regain dignity and self confidence. That has always been very fulfilling to me."

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