After dedicating four decades to medicine, a Texas doctor has hung up his stethoscope in a way that left his emergency room staff completely stunned – on roller skates! Dr. Phil Masterson, celebrated his retirement from a free-standing ER outside Dallas by gliding through the hospital corridors, much to the amusement and utter surprise of his colleagues.
Sporting a “retired” sash, a gift from his thoughtful staff, Dr. Masterson showcased a hidden talent that had remained a secret throughout his esteemed career. His co-workers were “flabbergasted,” as the doctor himself described, having no inkling of his roller-skating passion, which dates back to his teenage years in Detroit. “I’ve always had a thought: ‘You know, when I retire, I want to do something crazy,’” Dr. Masterson explained, and crazy it certainly was, in the best possible way.
The retirement celebration turned into an impromptu skate party, with Dr. Masterson effortlessly weaving around the ER, grooving to upbeat tunes like “Hit the Road Jack.” Laughter filled the emergency room as staff members watched their long-time colleague embrace his newfound freedom with such infectious joy. The scene was captured on video by Dr. Masterson’s daughter, Nichole, who shared it on TikTok, where it quickly went viral, amassing over 1.7 million views. “It made me happy to see him happy,” Nichole Masterson shared, reflecting the heartwarming sentiment of the moment.
While some viewers on TikTok jokingly expressed concern for the 70-year-old doctor potentially ending up as a patient himself with his skating antics, Dr. Masterson’s skills are deeply rooted. He honed his skating prowess in his youth, during the era reminiscent of the movie “Roll Bounce,” set in the 1970s Chicago roller rink scene. He even reminisced about his signature move, the “Russian Roulette,” which he demonstrated in a photo from his 20s, showcasing his athletic past. Though he admits his knees no longer permit such complex maneuvers, his smooth skating in the ER proved he’s still got the moves.
Looking ahead, Dr. Masterson is embarking on a new adventure, planning a year-long sojourn to Spain with his wife. His unconventional and joyous retirement send-off has not only brought smiles to his staff and online viewers but serves as a memorable and fitting end to a remarkable medical career. Dr. Masterson’s story is a testament to celebrating life’s milestones with personality and perhaps, a little bit of “crazy” fun.
