For more than 11 years, Gardner has practiced medicine in both communities. Currently he spends four half-days working at the clinic in Eden Valley and four half-days working at the clinic in Paynesville.
"Unfortunately, with this practice has come a problem," wrote Gardner in a letter to his patients. "I have not been spending enough time in either Paynesville or Eden Valley to satisfy the needs of my patients."
Gardner will remain a member of the physicians' group in Paynesville and will continue to work for the Paynesville Area Health Care System.
The move was endorsed by the medical staff of PAHCS and by the board of directors of the hospital district.
At the board meeting last Wednesday night, Bev Mueller, assistant administrator, said that the one complaint she hears about the Eden Valley clinic is the difficulty in getting appointments. Doug Ruhland, who represents Eden Valley on the board, agreed, "The grumbling that we're hearing is ÔCan't get in'."
That problem should be resolved after the move, with Dr. Gardner offering a full-time schedule in Eden Valley.