On Sunday, a group of doctors, patients and community members who knew Dr. John R. Musser will take to the streets of Beverly in memory of his life and all he did for arthritis sufferers in greater Newburyport.
The group will represent Newburyport's Anna Jaques Hospital as part of the North Shore Arthritis Walk while paying tribute to Musser, an orthopedic surgeon, and his wife, Laurie, who died within one month of each other last year.
Dr. Elizabeth Curtis, the medical co-chairwoman of this year's walk and a rheumatologist at Anna Jaques Hospital in Newburyport, worked closely with Musser caring for patients with arthritis and neuromuscular disorders.
"When I started to practice in Newburyport in 1988, I was happy to have a group of expert orthopedic surgeons practicing locally to partner with me in the care of my patients," Curtis said. "John Musser was a major part of that foundation."
After serving 11 years with the Navy Medical Corps, including through the Vietnam War, Musser was discharged in 1973. He opened a practice in Amesbury and worked at the former Amesbury Hospital and Anna Jaques.
Musser served as chief of surgery and president of the board of directors at Anna Jaques. He was the first doctor in the area to do a total joint replacement and was responsible for recruiting other surgeons to Seacoast Orthopedics before retiring in 2004.
"He was responsible for supporting so much in terms of research and education in fighting rheumatoid diseases and arthritis," Curtis said.
The Anna Jaques team will join hundreds of people across the state walking on Sunday to raise money for the Arthritis Foundation. Contributions to the local team may be made by contacting Curtis at 978-465-7667.
Donations can also be made online at www.northshorearthritiswalk.kintera.org or by mail to Arthritis Foundation Massachusetts Chapter/North Shore Arthritis Walk, 29 Crafts St., Newton, MA 02458.
If You Go
r What: Fifth annual North Shore Arthritis Walk
r When: Sunday, 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Rain or shine.
r Where: Lynch Park, Beverly
r How: Three- and one-mile routes available. To donate or participate, call 800-766-9449, ext. 134, or visit www.northshorearthritiswalk.kintera.org.
