After an outstanding 40-year career, Dickerman Hollister Jr., MD has announced that he will be retiring this month. Beloved by the community, Dr. Hollister has treated multiple generations of Greenwich families with grace, expertise and empathy.
Born in Greenwich Hospital’s former Benedict Building, Dr. Hollister has been a lifelong Greenwich resident. When just 10 years old, he decided to become a doctor, inspired by the television melodrama “Ben Casey.” A few years later, he broke the “gender barrier” at Greenwich Hospital, becoming the first male candy striper, counting pills in the basement pharmacy.
A graduate of Yale and the University of Virginia Medical School, Dr. Hollister completed his residency in internal medicine and fellowships in hematology and medical oncology at The New York Hospital and Memorial-Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. He returned to Greenwich in July of 1981 to open his solo practice. In time, he was joined by additional oncologists and joined the faculty of the Yale School of Medicine, serving as a Clinical Assistant Professor.
“I’ve been a ‘family oncologist,’ treating adults with all types of cancer and blood diseases. The best part has been my relationship with my patients, getting to know them personally and customizing their care to achieve the best possible outcome” said Dr. Hollister. “When I returned to Greenwich to start my practice, I treated my friends’ parents. As the decades passed, I treated my friends and now, I treat their children as well. While I know it is the right time to retire, I am sad to leave. This has been such a fulfilling profession, helping patients along difficult journeys, striving for cures if possible, but support and love always. I can imagine no greater calling.”
Over the course of his career, Dr. Hollister has served as Greenwich Hospital’s Chief of Staff, Chairman of Oncology, and medical director of the hospital’s Hospice Program. He is past president of both the Fairfield County Medical Association and the Connecticut State Medical Society and board member of many health-related organizations, including local chapters of the American Red Cross, the Greenwich Health Association, the Leukemia Society, and the Breast Cancer Alliance.
“Greenwich Hospital is extremely grateful to Dr. Hollister for his expert treatment of our patients for 40 years,” said Diane P. Kelly, DNP, RN, president. “Dr. Hollister was instrumental in developing the Oncology program at Greenwich Hospital and then growing it within the Smilow Cancer Hospital after the hospital became a part of Yale New Haven Health. His breadth and depth of knowledge in cancer treatments are astounding. He will be greatly missed, but we wish him great happiness.”
While retiring from practicing medicine, Dr. Hollister will still be busy. He and his wife Frankie will be relocating to her home state of Georgia, and he will commute back to New Haven to attend Yale Divinity School. Dr. Hollister and his wife have been married for 39 years and have two grown children.