Independence Health System Honors Dental Surgeon for 59-year Dedication to Patient Care with Special Needs Cases Guiding His Career

GREENSBURG, PA, May 22, 2025 … Independence Health System (IHS) today celebrated dental surgeon ThomasGretz, DDS, for his dedication to patient care at Frick Hospital for 59 years. To mark his steadfast commitment to patient care over nearly six decades, particularly to those with special needs, the perioperative and anesthesia departments held a commemorative portrait unveiling to honor him. 

“The majority of Dr. Gretz’s patients are special needs cases, and because they can’t find providers to care for them, they travel from West Virginia, New York, Pennsylvania, and Ohio for Dr. Gretz’s compassion for their health,” said Carol Fox, Chief Medical Officer of Independence Health System. “Every single person in the perioperative and anesthesia departments contributed to making the portrait possible. Years ago, portraits of surgeons who dedicated their lives to patient care were added to the commemorative wall upon their retirement.But those who know Dr. Gretz believe that he should be on the wall now — during his career as he continues to care for those who need his expertise and generosity. He is beloved across the departments and by his patients, and this portrait is a testament to that.” 

Dr. Gretz graduated from Georgetown University Dental School in 1966. He began his first patient cases at Frick Hospital in that same year and has been serving patients there ever since. He has four children, and all of them have careers in the medical field. Two of them are dentists, and one of them occasionally collaborates on cases with him. 

“Patient care is about special people taking care of special people,” said Dr. Gretz. “Our special needs patients haven't had a choice on their condition or handicap. As caregivers, we have been given the opportunity to help. Providing expert care, here, to the community, has been a blessing for me and the medical staff. Count your blessings!"

An unveiling ceremony was held May 22. 

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Nationally recognized for quality care, Independence Health System comprises Butler Memorial, Clarion, Frick, Latrobe, and Westmoreland Hospitals with a combined bed count of 925. With more than 1,000 physicians and advanced practice providers and 7,300 employees, the System is the third largest in western Pennsylvania serving a population base of 750,000 in a footprint spanning more than ten counties. 

The System includes tertiary programs rated among America’s best for cardiac care and surgery, earning accolades from a number of prestigious outlets and organizations. Locally owned and locally controlled, Independence Health System offers its patients low-cost, high-quality care across the care spectrum in such specialties as cardiology, cardiovascular and thoracic surgery, orthopedics and sports medicine, minimally invasive and robotic surgery, women’s health and obstetrics, emergency medicine, behavioral health, and primary care. Its network of outpatient centers sees more than 1.2 million visits annually. The homecare division further supports patients at all stages of life with home health and hospice services. Learn more at www.independence.health