Former TMAIT Board Chairman, Dr. Ronald Pinkenburg, or "Dr. Pink" as he's often known, can't put his finger on the connection between his chosen career as an ophthalmologist and his other passion — photography. But he knows there is one. On the surface, it’s obvious: Both have to do with seeing.
"The same thing that interested me in photography may well have had a hand in the career I chose," he says. "And what I've learned as an ophthalmologist — the science of vision, color, and perception — makes taking photographs more enjoyable."
But even if he wasn't an ophthalmologist, he'd still love photography. "I'd be taking photos even if I were herding cattle."
Pursuing his passion
His zeal for photography started in high school, when he developed a fascination for both the mechanical and visual aspects of photography. His curious tinkering turned into a life-long hobby. Now, in retirement, he travels all over the world to find beautiful landscapes to photograph.
His sojourns have taken him to Scotland, Wales, Moab, Utah, Coyote Buttes in northern Arizona, the Columbia River Gorge, and the Smoky Mountains. He considers Red Rock country in the American Southwest, the Oregon coast, the Cascade Mountains, and New Zealand among his favorite sites to photograph.
Until two years ago, he was also treating patients at the EyeCare Associates of Tyler, Texas. He spent more than 33 years helping his patients improve their vision.
He admits the only downside to retirement is that he misses his patients.
"My patients were like family and friends," he says. "We enjoyed keeping up with each other. Especially when I started treating the grandchildren of people I treated early on — that made it a lot of fun. Fortunately, they still call me and seek me out when we cross paths in the grocery store. We catch up."
Service to TMAIT for 16 years
During his medical career he also found fulfillment serving on the TMAIT Board of Trustees, helping physicians with their insurance needs.
Dr. Pinkenburg was a member of the Committee on Association Insurance Programs (which later became the TMAIT Advisory Committee) from 1981-1992. Then, he was appointed to the TMAIT Board of Trustees in 1986 and served as Chairman from 1989 to 1997.
"I learned a lot about the nature of claims and what problems physicians are prone to run into," he says of his time on the Board. "We tried to structure TMAIT plans to fit physicians. Doctors have some unique injuries that can occur in the office or operating room that other insurance companies might find difficult to understand."
These days, Dr. Pinkenburg continues to serve other doctors and his community. He sits on the Smith County Medical Society's Board as a delegate to the TMA. He also volunteers at Bethesda Health Clinic Board and sees all their ophthalmic patients. Bethesda is a Christian-oriented endeavor to bring affordable health care to those working people who "fall through the cracks" — people who are above the poverty lines and don't qualify for federal funding, but don't make enough income to be able to afford health insurance.
He and his wife Pat, who have four grown children, also serve Meals on Wheels once a week, are active in their church, and participate in a Bible study. For the past 35 years, he has met with a group of other physicians for scripture study and breakfast every Wednesday morning.
Dr. Pink won't be slowing down anytime soon. This year he and Pat have already traveled to Turkey, Croatia, Slovenia, Greece, England, and Alaska.
No doubt, he was clicking his camera the whole time, returning home with hundreds of landscape photos to add to his collection.