In January 2021, Dr. Sheldon C. Turkish announced his retirement from the practice of medicine as an Obstetrician Gynecologist in Perth Amboy after practicing for 53 years.  This article is a tribute to Dr. Turkish from his children.

Dr. Turkish’s medical practice was on New Brunswick Avenue in Perth Amboy.  He grew up in Brooklyn, NY and attended college at NYU.  He then went to Chicago Medical School graduating in 1961.  After graduation, he became an OB/Gyn resident at Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn where he met his wife Barbara who he married in 1962.  Dr. Turkish was Chief Resident from 1965 through 1966.  He then served his country honorably as a Captain in the U.S. Airforce from 1966 through 1968.  After returning from the Service, he joined the OB/GYN Group of Perth Amboy and Edison in 1968 where he practiced until his retirement this year.  During his practice, he faithfully served the Middlesex County and Perth Amboy communities, delivering thousands of babies and often treating generations of patients in the same family.  He always went beyond the call of duty in caring for his patients, whether it meant driving in a snow storm to deliver a baby, doing emergency surgery to save the mother’s and baby’s lives, working nights and weekends, and doing whatever was necessary for his patients’ benefit.  He simply cared for his patients no matter what.  Dr. Turkish pioneered the use of laparoscopic surgery at Raritan Bay Medical Center and was the first physician at the hospital to perform such procedures.  He served for many years as Chief of the Ob/Gyn Department at Raritan Bay.  He also was an attending physician at JFK Medical Center.  In addition, he served as a Clinical Physician for rotating Robert Wood Johnson Hospital OB/GYN residents at Raritan Bay.  His patients, staff and colleagues will miss him dearly.  Dr. Turkish plans to move to Boca Raton, Florida in the coming months with his wife, Barbara.  He is the proud father of five children and 9 grandchildren. His son Jonathan will continue his medical practice in Perth Amboy. Congratulations to Dr. Turkish on a well-deserved retirement.  Your family salutes you for your commitment, dedication and service to your patients and profession.