Mark Stoeckel, MD

[Patient]

Does anyone know why Dr. Stoeckel closed his practice so abruptly?

[stunned]

Patient wrote:

Does anyone know why Dr. Stoeckel closed his practice so abruptly?

no, but it's been quite a shocker - our entire family was at his practice - hope nothing happened to him...

[dumbfounded]

I'm shocked as well. I had finally found a Dr. I liked since moving here, and now he is gone. I do hope he is ok.

[weird]

I was thinking maybe he had a drug/alcohol problem (I remember a year or two ago when he disappeared for a couple of months too). I know since my husband and I have been seeing him (since he first opened at the railyard) he has lost a lot of weight and gotten a divorce from his wife. His staff was not saying much of anything about what is going on and as of today its just a recording anyway.

[Saddened]

I have had issues with my health most of my life. Some were never caught until Dr. Roth and Dr. Stoeckel looked further with alot of lab test. The great part is I can go to both these doctors and get answers to all my questions unlike some doctor's that only address one health matter per visit. :(

[weird]

So a friend of mine that I had referred to Dr Stoeckel called there today and it says his office is permanently closed. She went to a podiatrist who told her that he has a substance abuse problem that is not under control and that is why he is closed. Sad. I hope he gets the help he needs and comes back!

[shocked]

I do not know what is going on however, I loved him as my doctor, friendly, kind, listenend to me and actually gave me excellent service which it seems our world in lacking. Hopefully whatever is going on he is doing well and will be in my prayers.

[Sad]

My entire family has gone to him for several years as well.... my mom with a terminal disease. There was a certain comfort knowing that Dr Mark was overseeing things. He will be missed.

[verysad]

He has been my doctor since he was with Dr Snook in G-town. All my family members went to him. I pray that everything will be ok for him, whatever the issue is.

[Cathie]

I was also disappointed to hear of his troubles. We will pray for him that he gets through whatever it is! He was also the doctor we finally found and loved. Dr. Stoeckel if you are out there....hang in there friend!

[sandra]

It is very unfortunate about the closing of Dr Stoeckel's practice. He was a great physician. However, I recently Visited Dr. Orgeron at Cedar Park Pediatric and Family Medicine, and he and his staff were great! I was glad to see that Dr. Stoeckel referred me to that practice.

[Noooo]

I just got the letter in the mail today. I, too, remember last year when he disappeared for an extended period of time. I suspected substance abuse but hoped that wasn't the case. I was never able to confirm. Dr. Stoeckel is the most caring and gracious doctor I have ever had. He really has a natural and warm way with people and I always left feeling that I was heard and well cared for. I just hope he knows how much he will be missed and I wish him good health and happiness.

[Concerned]

My understanding is that it was nervous breakdown and he will never be back. I will be in search of new doctor. I really did like Dr. Stoekel.

[Wondering]

I am concerned as well, however, if he was such a caring Dr, doesn't it bother anyone that he abandoned all of his patients without notice?
I'm sure his staff is unable to respond to any questions.

[Patient]

Dear Wondering,

I have been a patient of Dr. Stoeckel's since he started his practice in Texas. He was the best doctor I have ever had! I was devastated by the news, it was truly heartbreaking to me.

I agree I was a upset that no one was telling us what the heck was going on. But in certain situations (apparently like this one) if he was out of commission his staff obviously didnt know how to respond to us.

I will also keep him in my prayers. I hope that he will return to practicing medicine again, once he gets his trouble cleared up.

I am seeing Dr. Kristy Heatly, D.O. in Georgetown. I was referred to her by Dr. Curly at the sleep center (that doctor Stoeckel had referred me too). I have only had one visit but I like her she spent 45 min. with me and seemed to truly listen. I hope she will work out. It's extremely hard to find a good doctor one you trust....I will really miss Dr. Stoeckel.

[Not so shocked]

If you saw yesterday's Statesman there is no more room for curiosity or speculation.

[Compassion]

Yes, the Statesman does make it clear, but everyone needs to realize that doctors are, at the end of every day, normal people like you and me and have faults and addictions like alot of folks (food, gambling, alcohol, etc.). Yes, they are held to a higher standard because they care for our lives, but if you truly know Dr. Stoeckel, he is a kind, compassionate person with a family that's grieving for his situation just like anyone else would, so in respect for them, let's not get tacky or caddy about any of his issues.

[not so forgiving]

Despite his being a great doctor, given what the article describes, it is sad that he made the choices he did, not only effecting his life and that of his family, but the lives of his staff and patients.
Hopefully he will recover and try to repair his wrongs

[Its terrible]

Everyone should take a look in the paper, he is in a drug rehab and lost his license to practice.

[forgiving]

everyone makes mistakes and doctors are human just as we are. I hope he gets the help that he needs and is able to pull everything back together. I would return as his patient, he is a great doctor and I have not found anyone to replace him as of yet.