Most seniors in Southwest Florida know his name. Best known for his vast experience in joint replacement and arthroscopic knee and shoulder work, Dr.John Kagan is also known for his commitment to his patients and his easy going manner. “Some people may say it’s hard work and long hours and with at least 1500 surgeries a year, it may seem like that. But for me, it’s not work,” stressed Kagan.

Dr. Kagan’s typical workday starts at 7:15 a.m. His surgeries are scheduled until one or two in the afternoon. Office hours are usually from 1:30 to 8 p.m. in the office and then Dr. Kagan starts his rounds at area hospitals. Albeit a hectic schedule for most, it’s one that Dr.Kagan thrives on. Kagan is a Lee County icon and rightfully so. He calls this area home after practicing here for almost 30 years and is one of the longest practicing physicians in Ft. Myers.

Upon graduating from the University of Alabama, John Kagan attended medical school at the University of South Florida. After completing his surgical internship at the University of Florida and an orthopedic surgery residency at the University of Alabama, Kagan returned to Gainesville to complete his residency at Shands Teaching Hospital. It was there he met his wife of 30 years, Elizabeth, a registered nurse, now an attorney and former president of the American Medical Association Alliance. The Kagans have three children, twin boys, Andy and Chris, and a daughter, Rachel. “Following in their mother’s path, one has graduated law school, one is attending law school, and one is going to law school,” said Kagan.

“As my practice grew, my family grew, and outings invariably ended up with me stopping at the hospital to see my patients. I was lucky to have a wife who believed like I did, that your patients come first”.

When asked about what seniors can do to stay young at heart, Dr. Kagan commented that it’s a pattern he has seen many times. People getting healthy later on in life. “The key to staying healthy is keeping active. Eat right, and don’t do abusive things to yourself. It’s never too late to get healthy, unless you have a medical condition that keeps you from working out.” He continued, “I see people all the time who look 50 and are actually 80. People can do more later on in life and why not?”

When asked about memorable patients, Kagan replied, “All of my patients are memorable. When my patients do well, I get a great deal of satisfaction from my work.”

It’s a common thread in his life, his wanting to do good. Dr. Kagan joined forces with other doctors a couple of years ago and participated in Operation Walk. Traveling to Cuba, they did over 40 total joint replacements in nine days.

In his down time, Dr. Kagan is an avid reader and loves to fly. He enjoys traveling with wife, Liz, and they share a love of an active lifestyle of hiking and scuba diving. His extended family includes four dogs, a rat terrier, two Jack Russells and a boxer, and assorted cows and horses. An animal lover since childhood, he added, “My brother, Bo, and I always had a dog. I also had turtles and snakes as a child.”

Asked what makes Dr. John Kagan different, he answered: “I really love what I do. Working 80 to 90 hours a week, well, it’s really not like working. My goal in life is to do as much good as I can for as many as I can. What really drives me is being there for my patients.”

“I feel extremely lucky to do what I chose to do. I never imagined working at one thing for 30 years, but the last 30 years have flown by and I can’t wait to do at least 10 more. After that I may have to narrow my focus, but I certainly cannot imagine retiring,” Dr. Kagan said.

Kagan was honored to be named one of the best doctors in America by a group of Harvard trained physicians that establish criteria garnered from peer evaluations. And while some things are worth repeating, whether Dr.Kagan chooses to do another 10 years or 30 years, many of his patients will always have reasons to return to see his warm and friendly smile.