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MARQUETTE -- After nearly 40 years in health care, including 30 years in dermatology, Dr. Tom Sandin will retire on Dec. 3, marking the beginning of a new chapter.
His journey has taken him from his birthplace in Muskegon, Michigan, to Indiana, Arizona, and Arkansas, through service in the U.S. Air Force and eventually back to the Upper Peninsula. Along the way, he built a career dedicated to caring for others, serving patients across communities, and developing relationships that extended far beyond the examination room.
Sandin moved to Lowell, Indiana, where he graduated and met his future wife. His early years there helped shape the life and career that followed.
His journey took a different direction when he joined the United States Air Force. During his military service, he was stationed at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona and in Little Rock, Arkansas. After completing his military service, Sandin settled in Northwest Indiana, where he spent more than 25 years practicing dermatology at Applegarth Dermatology.
Over the course of his medical career, Sandin devoted three decades to a specialty that helps patients address skin conditions, protect their health and improve their quality of life. His work offered opportunities to build lasting relationships with patients and colleagues.
After many years in Northwest Indiana, Sandin eventually returned to his home state, settling in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. The move brought him closer to family, including his sisters and other relatives in the area, making his return to Michigan meaningful both personally and professionally.
For Sandin, the move meant more than a change of address. It was an opportunity to reconnect with his Michigan roots, be closer to family, and become part of a region known for its strong communities, independent spirit, and distinctive culture.
His commitment to patient care extended beyond Marquette. For four years, Sandin traveled to Escanaba once a week to see patients, extending his care to another Upper Peninsula community.
A Special Connection With Veterans
Among the most meaningful aspects of Sandin's work in Michigan's Upper Peninsula was caring for veterans referred to him by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
At Forefront Dermatology in Marquette, and during his weekly visits to Escanaba, Sandin cared for veterans referred for dermatological services. As an Air Force veteran himself, he shared a special connection with many of the men and women who came to him for care.
Appointments often offered opportunities for more than medical conversations. Military stories were shared, jokes exchanged, and friendships developed along the way. Common experiences and a shared understanding of military service helped create connections that extended beyond the examination room.
For these veterans, Sandin became more than a dermatologist. He was someone they could trust with their health care, someone who listened to their concerns, and an advocate for the quality of dermatological care they deserved.
Sandin understood the importance of providing excellent care to those who had served their country. Veterans have made significant sacrifices, and they deserve compassionate providers who take their concerns seriously, advocate for their needs, and help ensure they receive outstanding medical care.
Through his work at Forefront Dermatology, Sandin had the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of veterans by providing specialized care while treating each patient with respect and compassion. The military stories, laughter, and friendships shared along the way became an important part of that experience.
As Sandin prepares for retirement, the relationships he built with these veterans are an important part of the legacy he leaves behind. The trust they placed in him and the friendships formed through their visits reflect the personal side of health care that cannot be measured in years of service alone.
For the veterans who came to know him, Sandin's retirement means saying goodbye to a trusted dermatologist and friend. His years of caring for these patients stand as a reminder that serving those who served our country is a meaningful way to honor their sacrifices.
A Career Worth Celebrating
In Marquette, Sandin brought his experience to Forefront Dermatology on Harbor Hills, continuing his work in patient care alongside colleagues in the local health care community.
A retirement marks the end of a professional chapter, but it also provides an opportunity to recognize what those years have meant.
In health care, a career is measured by more than years on the job. It is reflected in the patients who place their trust in their providers, the colleagues who work together through demanding days, and the relationships built over time.
Medicine brings its share of challenges: busy schedules, unexpected situations, difficult decisions and the responsibility of helping people through times of uncertainty. Experience gained over decades becomes an invaluable part of that work.
Just as important are the people who share the journey. Colleagues become part of the rhythm of everyday life, offering support, sharing accomplishments, working through challenges, and finding moments of humor along the way. For those who have worked alongside Sandin, his retirement marks the close of a chapter filled with shared responsibilities, daily challenges, and wonderful memories.
After nearly four decades in health care, Sandin can now look forward to a different pace of life, with more freedom to spend time with family, pursue personal interests and enjoy new experiences.
His professional journey has covered considerable ground, from military service to decades of dermatology practice in Northwest Indiana and, ultimately, a return to Michigan. Through it all, patient care has remained at the center of his working life.
As Tom Sandin retires on Dec. 3, his nearly 40 years in health care and 30 years in dermatology deserve recognition. His career represents decades of professional experience, service to patients and dedication to a field that has shaped much of his life.
Congratulations to Tom Sandin on a remarkable career and a well-earned retirement. May the years ahead bring good health, happiness, new adventures and plenty of time to enjoy the people and experiences that matter most.