Baby Doctor Called 'Pioneer' Retires

OKLAHOMA CITY - Mothers and fathers all over the metro are saying goodbye today. That's because after 30 years of practicing, a beloved OBGYN is retiring. Many call the physician a "pioneer."

The reason Dr. Karen Reisig believes she has been so successful, is because of the loyalty of her patients.

There are too many kids to count, but Dr. Reisig believes the number of children she's delivered is somewhere around 4,000.

"I really didn't keep track," Dr. Reisig said. "Back 30 years ago we didn't have computer systems that we kept up with all of that."

But she does know she delivered all nine of the kids in the Morlan family. Together they gathered today to say goodbye to the woman who brought them into the world, along with their mother.

"She's very much like a family member," Lori Morlan, mother of nine, said. "She's another mother. She has been very encouraging. She prays with me when I have difficulties."

Lori Morlan's relationship with her doctor has spanned two decades. Her oldest child is 16 years old and her youngest is 8 months old. Their connection grew stronger as each child was born.

"She was pro-life, and that was the most important thing," Lori Morlan said. "I didn't know that my relationship with her was going to be a 20-year relationship."

And Dr. Reisig didn't know just how much technology would evolve over the years, especially with the ultrasound.

"You couldn't see very much at all, except for a little blob," Dr. Reisig said. "The doctor just kept saying that's your baby. Now, it's so vivid."

Her memories with her patients and her staff are also vivid. Now, the doctor feels that it's time to make many more memories with her family.

Dr. Reisig is having her first grandchild soon. Her daughter is pregnant. She now plans on helping raise the next generation of kids in the family.

Dr. Reisig didn't rest on her last day of work today. Her volume of patients was normal and she delivered her last baby, this morning.