Benjamin Franklin once said, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Those wise words capture how Robert H. Rotering, MD, approaches healthcare. For nearly 50 years, he has developed expertise in preventive medicine, earning praise for his commitment to improving patient outcomes through wellness initiatives.
A Champion of Holistic Wellness
Dr. Rotering has dedicated more than four decades to the medical profession. In 1971, he earned a bachelor’s degree from St. Mary’s University and graduated summa cum laude. He earned a Doctor of Medicine in 1978 from Rush Medical College and completed an internship at the Mayo Clinic in 1979. He later completed a four-year surgical residency at the University of Utah Health and a fellowship in thoracic surgery at Albany Medical Center. Among his numerous awards and honors is his induction into the Alpha Omega Alpha medical honor society.
“I’ve always been driven to be the best I could,” Dr. Rotering says. “I’m no different today.” Currently, he serves as a physician at SMP Health-St. Aloisius, which is part of the Sisters of Mary of the Presentation Health System. Throughout his career, Dr. Rotering has addressed some of the most urgent and complex medical challenges. However, he strongly advocates holistic wellness, which encompasses nutrition, physical activity, mental health, and societal well-being.
“The most thrilling aspect of medicine is the newfound national focus on wellness,” Dr. Rotering says. “One of the most exciting developments in healthcare today is Bobby Kennedy’s national emphasis on wellness, particularly in nutrition.”
A Doctor Who Practices What He Preaches
“Wellness and prevention have been my mission all along,” Dr. Rotering says. These aspects of healthcare have been his crusade for the past 15 years, throughout which he has taught, written about, and preached preventive health.
Additionally, Dr. Rotering leads by example. The acclaimed physician believes in “living out what I preach to my patients.” In his spare time, he enjoys wellness through nutrition, exercise, and an integrated quality-of-life approach.
Credibility as a Cornerstone of Care
In his leadership capacity, Dr. Rotering has cultivated a culture of humility, collaboration, and excellence. “We need to return to the fundamentals of healthcare, focusing on reputable authorities with proven training credibility and upholding integrity and professionalism in the field,” he says.
Dr. Rotering also cautions against relying on what he calls “Dr. Google.” According to him, 80% of the information people find will not improve their well-being. He believes they would be better off listening to well-trained professionals. “I’m a Mayo Clinic guy,” he says. “Mayo is the most credible healthcare institution on the planet.”
Trusted Leadership in Rural Medical Practice
Currently, Dr. Rotering provides healthcare in rural North Dakota. Aside from his clinical duties, he serves as a backup physician in the emergency room. Other responsibilities include admitting patients to the hospital and the nursing home.
The town where Dr. Rotering serves has a population of 1,700 people. SMP Health-St. Aloisius is a regional hub for neighboring communities that lack access to care. Part of his five-year plan is to expand primary care services to more rural communities.
“My passion has always revolved around keeping people healthy, preventing illness and keeping them out of the hospital,” Dr. Rotering says. While wellness is finally gaining traction nationally, he has always seen it as the path forward. With that said, Dr. Rotering will continue offering guidance as a teacher, practitioner, and academic as he builds a lasting legacy based on integrity, hard work, and quiet leadership.
