THE GOOD OLD DAYS:Hoag doctor celebrates 25 years since medical school

For most of Dr. John Storch’s patients, a doctor’s appointment is more like a visit with an old friend than an examination. And on Friday, it was a party.

About 20 of Storch’s longtime patients, colleagues and friends gathered at his Newport Beach office to celebrate 25 years since the Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian physician graduated from the USC School of Medicine.

“I’ve been coming here as long as he has been in practice because he’s just a great doctor,” said 95-year-old Jean MacDonald, who credits Storch with her longevity. “He’s always there for you, and he takes the time that others don’t.”

Greeting card in hand, Lillian and Keith Lumpkin pulled up to the scene in their red vintage Mercedes-Benz, hoping to share their tremendous gratitude for the dedicated doctor.

“He’s always so kind and thoughtful, and he’s got a lot of what people call bedside manner,” Lillian Lumpkin said. “One doctor said he’s a real doctor’s doctor, which I think means they would like to go to him if they got sick.”

Though Storch remembers not knowing where to begin on his first day on the job, every day since has been plenty busy. With multiple generations of local families passing through his office, Storch said his favorite things about the business have been watching Hoag grow from a community hospital to a regional hospital — and, of course, the people.

“Every day is different, and every day you have an opportunity to help someone,” he said.

Dr. Kevin Barnett, an officemate, said Storch’s sense of humor sets him apart from other physicians, recalling instances when the doctor stunned patients by wearing a glove over a metal hook in place of his hand.

As one of Storch’s oldest friends, Merrill Butler’s fond memories go far back, long before he signed on as one of the physician’s first patients.

In their early years, the pair often took out a row boat to fish for barracuda and bonito in the harbor when they weren’t body surfing at the beach or swimming in the harbor.

“I look forward to my doctor’s visits,” Butler said. “He’s just one of the kindest, most empathetic, nicest guys you’d ever want to meet in your life, and a tremendous physician.”