Scott Muir, DO

Other than his career in medicine, Scott Muir, DO, lists becoming an Eagle Scout among his proudest achievements. “Pledging to be trustworthy, loyal, helpful, kind and honest has helped me be a better doctor,” he said. “As the Boy Scout law suggests, we have tough days but we have to do the right thing, all of the time, every day.” This is a lesson the Clarks Summit native has passed on to his twin sons, age 22 and also Eagle Scouts, and to the Geisinger Commonwealth medical students Dr. Muir teaches.

“I’ve been a preceptor ever since the school opened,” he said. “I also take King’s College PA students and CRNP students.” Dr. Muir said his deep, personal commitment to teaching stems from his medical school days at Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences. “I had many terrific rotations in Kansas City,” he said. “But there were a few that were lackluster. I thought this was unfair to the students, so I made a deal with myself. I promised that when I was an attending, I would give my students the best experience possible.”

Since striking that bargain, Dr. Muir said he has received just as much as he gives. Dr. Muir, who practices with Lehigh Valley Physician Group–Hazleton, is an OB-GYN. It’s a branch of medicine that he describes as a “very personal specialty.”

“You are obligated to become part of your patients’ lives, and sometimes you have to be ready to have some very uncomfortable talks and to open some boxes — domestic abuse, sexual history — that no one else wants to,” he said. “It’s so rewarding to see when a student gets that,” he added. “It’s especially great when they learn how to gain patients’ trust. They take this with them and remember it. I’ve even converted some to OB-GYN. I think the depth of the experience is why I stay close with many of my students. They share their lives with me and keep in touch after they graduate. It lets me know they thought this experience was valuable.”