Earl A. Wheaton, Jr., MD Family Care Center Opens in Ridgewood

The Valley Hospital recently celebrated the opening of the Earl A. Wheaton, Jr., MD Family Care Center in Ridgewood, named in honor of former Valley physician Dr. Earl Wheaton, Jr.

Dr. Wheaton, a long-time internist and rheumatologist at Valley, served as an officer of the Medical Staff, later becoming Medical Staff President and Coordinator of Medical Affairs and Education until his retirement in 2002.

Known for providing compassionate, personalized care and supporting patients in making informed choices about their health, Dr. Wheaton’s impact on the community was recognized through The Valley Hospital Distinguished Physician Service Award, which he received in 1998. Dr. Wheaton passed away in 2021.

Members of Dr. Wheaton’s family joined Valley staff, past and present, to officially dedicate the center in his memory on September 9th.

“The Earl A. Wheaton, Jr., MD, Family Care Center will help residents of Ridgewood and surrounding areas, it will be an asset to Valley, and it will help educate and train practitioners in my father’s beloved medicine,” said Dr. Wheaton’s son, Tim, on behalf of his family. “I can’t think of a better way to honor him, and I know that he would be grateful and proud.”

The Center, formerly known as Valley’s Community Care Clinic, is located on Valley’s Ridgewood campus. It will also serve as the outpatient offices for Valley’s new Graduate Medical Education program, training the next generation of physicians.