Had private family practice since 1973

A pair of doctors who have been in Ironton for 43 years recently retired in December, but said that they will always cherish their time in Ironton.

Rudolfo and Portia Canos were recruited to the Lawrence County General Hospital in 1973 as a husband and wife medical team when the hospital had a shortage of doctors.

“It has been a long time since we came to Ironton,” Portia Canos said. “It feels like we have lived in Ironton more than we lived in the Philippines.”

After coming to America, the Canos’ had a medical residency in Cincinnati before moving to Charleston, West Virginia, and then Ironton to have their own private practice, Canos and Canos, in an office given to them by the county.

Both family practitioners, Rudolfo is a general surgeon and Portia a pathologist.

When the Lawrence County General Hospital closed in 2000, The Canos’ were invited to join the staff of Bellefonte Hospital.

“When we got to Ironton, we told ourselves if we liked it, we would stay,” Portia said. “We stayed because we really liked it, and we had one kid here.”

What Portia said she would miss most was the couple’s patients and the people of Ironton.

“The people here are so hospitable and very gracious,” she said. “We enjoyed taking care of all of our patients. We love them and thank them for their loyalty, friendship and giving us their confidence and trust.”

After retirement, Portia said her and Rudolfo moved to Florida to enjoy the warm weather.

“The weather is very forgiving,” she said. “And my husband is an avid fisherman, so we’ll enjoy it.”

The office will remain open under the care of Bridget Ehrhart-Bennett, APRN, from Bellefonte Hospital.