5,000 births later, country doctor still at it
Dr. Nolan Byler tends to a patient who happens to be his daughter Sophia Byler. The 5,000 babies Byler has delivered so far in his career include Sophia and seven of her eight siblings. Most of his patients come from the area’s Amish and Mennonite communities. been a part of the Mennonite church since I was young. And I joined a Mennonite church in this community, so it’s like a church family you want to be with.”
Byler said he has received many offers to take his practice elsewhere, but he has never wanted to leave.
“I’ve gotten invitations, emails, you know, practice opportunity here, practice opportunity there. Well, I don’t see any advantage of going wherever they say because this here is doing fine.”
While he is unsure of the total number of patients he currently sees, Byler said he averages about 80 deliveries per year now. Obstetrical patients, including pre-natal and post-natal care, baby care for the first few months and deliveries take up about half of his practice.
“The vast majority of the time, like 99 percent probably, everything is normal. They’re formed okay, there are no defects, it’s just kind of a miracle. It’s just exhilarating, I guess, to see that when they’re born, to observe that and to see the mom and dad’s smiles on their faces and to see the new little one. It’s a rewarding experience, for sure.”
All of Byler’s deliveries take place at the Mount Eaton Care Center, where roughly 12,500 babies have been born since its opening in 1985.
“We still try to provide a real homey atmosphere over here at the birthing center, that kind of attracts people,” Byler said.
While obstetrics has been a huge part of his career, Byler is still a general practitioner. Some of his patients are treated for diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, risk factors for heart attack and stroke, and he remains on call 24 hours a day for emergencies.
“Yesterday, I sewed back up a child that got a ear bit by a dog and I had to sew the lobe back together,” he said. “That kind of threw a wrench in my schedule in the afternoon, but that’s how it goes. You do what you have to do.”