Longtime local physician retires

NEW LONDON — Physician Jeff Harwood retired on May 26 after over 37 years of serving the New London community and area. After graduating from Ashland High School, Harwood attended Ohio State University. He continued his education at the Medical College of Ohio in Toledo, followed by a residency in family medicine at Akron General Medical Center. He wanted to work in a rural community, and in August of 1989, he was offered an opportunity to open a private practice in New London and Greenwich. In 1992, the Greenwich office closed and he continued in New London, where he has remained. He became associated with Fisher-Titus Medical Center in 2015. Along with his office practice, he worked at the Huron County General Health District for 17 years and was the Huron County Jail physician for 12 years. For 26 years, he spent many nights doing sports physicals and attending home and away football games as the team physician for New London School athletics. In 1996, he was appointed the Huron County Coroner. He continues to hold that position and follows patients at two nursing facilities, The Laurels in New London and Norwalk Memorial Home. In addition to membership in several professional organizations, he is an active member of the New London Rotary, where he organizes both the Labor Day and Halloween parades. He is also a founding member of the New London-Greenwich Rail Trail effort and still serves as treasurer of the organization since its formation in 2006. Saying deciding to retire was "a hard decision," Harwood adds, "As I got older, I decided it was time to slow down and reduce my stress. Once I set a date, it hit me in the face and I couldn't wait. Right now, I intend to sit back and breathe a bit before doing too much else." His wife, Sharon, retired last year as an attorney with Fisher-Titus Medical Center, and they are looking forward to spending more time with their three children and two grandchildren. Sharon and Jeff have lived in Norwalk since 1989, and that is where they intend to stay. They both appreciate small-town life and want to continue to be part of the community.