Ronald Sroka

Ronald C. Sroka

At the time of this writing, I am a 72-year old physician who retired December 31, 2017 after 40 years of practicing medicine. I continue to reside in our first and only home purchased in 1978 in Crofton, Maryland, which is a mile-and-a-half from my office and takes only five minutes to arrive.

I grew up in a family of six: two brothers and one sister, and my parents, Lillian and Joseph. I am the middle child. My parents, although both being quite intelligent, did not have the fortune of much education. My father only completed up to eighth grade due to having to help support a family of 12, and my mother completed an eleventh-grade education.  

I have lived in Anne Arundel County since I was four years old. I grew up six miles from where I ultimately established my office in Crofton. I had the privilege of caring for many of my grade school classmates, teachers, as well as my elementary school principal for many years until his ultimate passage in his 80s.

My parents’ main concern in raising their children was to provide the best advanced education opportunities for us. And we all received college degrees, including chemical engineer, computer system analyst and a physician.                 

But, how did I eventually arrive at my ultimate destiny as a physician in my home town?  It is a story of some good fortune and a lifelong pursuit. 

My interest in medicine became heightened in the eighth grade, while studying the human body and performing small biologic dissections of frogs and worms. At first, I thought medicine was an unobtainable dream, but I could not conceive of any other profession that would be more fulfilling and interesting than medicine.

The pursuit of science lead to my majoring in Zoology at the University of Maryland at College Park. This field expanded my interest in creation of all animate life. In college, I studied the pre-med curriculum, which lead to more science. My grade point average was good, but not up to the standard of 3.8 to 4.0 required for consideration of admission to the school of medicine. 

My first application was declined, but I refused to accept that as ultimate defeat.  I needed an income to continue my education, so I secured a job with Nationwide Insurance Company, interestingly settling bodily injury and property damage claims resulting from motor vehicle collisions. While I continued to raise my GPA as a special student at the University of Maryland, I was quite busy with work and education.  This ultimately led to reapplication to the University School of Medicine in 1971.

Again, no admission, but I was placed on the wait list, which I considered half a success.  Months passed with no word until late June: admission declined again. But I refused to give up. 

I requested a second interview to reiterate my extreme commitment to achieve my career goal which totally consumed my interests. I felt quite rejected even in spite of being granted a second interview (unusual from what I understand).  At that time, I had a pleasant discussion with Dr. Kenneth Ludlum, we mostly discussed my job as a claims adjuster. 

Somewhat disillusioned I decided to take a 7,000-mile round trip to San Diego, California, which took three weeks. I arrived back home on a Saturday in late August, already registered as a special student at Maryland to continue to raise my GPA. The next day, I received a totally unexpected call from Dr. Karl H. Weaver Dean of Admissions at the University of Maryland, School of Medicine. He asked if I had applied for admission to the School of Medicine and I responded that I had been declined. He said he was aware of this. I will never forget his next words: “Could you attend tomorrow morning to matriculate for admission to Medical School.” My answer: “OF COURSE”.  Dr. Weaver told me that this was the first time that they had ever exhausted all the wait list candidates, and one position remained.  I was the recipient. 

For the next four years, because of financial necessity, I commuted from my home in Anne Arundel County to medical school in Baltimore City. Ultimately, with the help of generous grants and loans from school, my professional goal was achieved.  The rest is history. And the motto of this story is NEVER GIVE UP ON A DREAM!  

Initially, I entered practice with an established physician in Crofton, and after less than three years created my own solo practice.  Over the years, the practice grew to four physicians, who over the years, gradually migrated into their own professional settings.

My good fortune has led me to become a vigorous participant in Maryland medicine and healthcare as evidenced by my positions and appointments. This has been my life’s fulfilment, and serving my home community has been emotionally rewarding. 

As President of MedChi in 2009, I presided over the organization of a physician-patient rally at the State House in Annapolis in February. The rally brought attention to the need for healthcare reform in Maryland and the recognition of the subsequent migration of physicians out of Maryland causing the failure to retain graduating medical residents from Maryland hospital residency programs.

The rally also attempted to bring attention to the fact that a Government Accounting Office study revealed that Maryland, and the City of Baltimore, had the lowest healthcare reimbursement rates from insurers in the United States, in spite of being in the top 22% cost of living in the U.S. This was followed by a legislative lobbying onslaught by patients and physicians in the Maryland State Senate and House of Delegates.

During my presidency, I spent many weekends traveling to east coast medical society conventions, speaking with their presidents and delegates, sharing our objectives concerning healthcare resolutions to improve healthcare delivery, and Maryland’s plight. I traveled to Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia in an effort to communicate the concerns of Maryland physicians, our need for physician retention, and changes in the healthcare environment.

After retirement, I have pursued my love of fishing, golf, and cycling.  My biggest passion is off-shore fishing in my boat, only secondary to enjoying watching my six beautiful grandchildren (Ronald lll, Danny, Lily, Evan and newborn, Izzy) growing up and enjoying our Ocean City beach condo.  Our three children Jayme, Ronald, Jr., Randall, and their delightful offspring are what my wife Nancy and I live for and enjoy most.  There is nothing more enjoying and fulfilling than family.  I thank God every day for my good fortune in life, career, and family. 

I leave this composition with one bit of advice for any young inspiring students in their career course: “NEVER GIVE UP ON YOUR DREAMS.” There is always a route for success in any dream if it is searched and pursued.  There will always seem to be obstructions which confront you, but they are only transient. Your persistence and belief in yourself will enable you to surmount any obstacle.  These principles were instilled in me by my parents who set the example that I pursued in my life’s quest. It has served me well.   

For another look at Dr. Sroka's life, please click here. 

Ronald Chris Sroka, M.D.