The Oyster Party, Circa 1952 John Wagner III, MD Child & Adolescent Psychiatry President, Northwest LA Medical Society
Recently, the Northwest Louisiana Medical Society held its Annual Oyster Party on Friday, February 21st at The Chef’s Table at Beauxjax in Bossier City. This is our most popular event of the year with attendance over 200. It is an event that carries nostalgia amongst our members as well as healthcare leaders, community officials, local and state legislators. There are a few interpretations about the originality of this exclusive event. As it turns out a group of orthopedist were the first to gather and grill. Then the event became so popular amongst the physicians that it was adopted as the Medical Society’s Oyster Party. Drs. Donald Fenton Overdyke, Jr. and Ed McPhearson were the two orthopedist who decided to shuck and grill oysters for their colleagues/friends in the garage of their practice at the old Garrett Building across the street from what is now Ochsner LSU Health St. Mary’s. Then the urologist group, whom they shared office space with, joined which is when Dr. Eugene St. Martin got involved with his famous oyster stew. Word spread and the event outgrew the Garrett Building and moved to Dr. Overdyke’s backyard. His son, Dr. William Overdyke remembers wandering around his home as a child when all the men were there slinging oysters and having the best ole time. And later recalls how much more fun he had, as an adult when he would return from med school and could actually participate. These parties were known as stag parties. Dice were shot and craps were played. Eventually the games ended due to a few uninvited swindlers being chased out one year. When Dr. Patti Van Hook, the society’s first female president was elected in 1990, the ladies were invited which definitely changed things from stag party to a social event. Even though it has evolved over the last 70 plus years, to this day the highlight of the party is enjoying hot char-grilled oysters prepared by members who share a love of cooking for a crowd. Dr. James “Ronnie” Bergeron, dermatologist originally from Lakeland, Louisiana grilled oysters alongside Dr. St. Martin and kept the society’s tradition for a total of 52 years until his passing just a day prior to our event in February 2023. Dr. Bergeron is greatly missed but his legacy continues with Drs. Jason Romero, dermatologist originally from Lafayette, Scott Ritch, pediatrician, from Shreveport and Jay Fakier, radiologists, from Thibodaux. These physicians have been committed to the grills the last 3 years and with the help of a few others served 2400 Oysters at this year’s event! Thanks for the opportunity to share this piece of our history, Myself and others from Northwest Louisiana are looking forward to seeing our fellow physicians from around the state at White Coat Wednesday on May 21st.
REGISTRATION NOW OPEN! Join the Louisiana State Medical Society on May 21, 2025, to meet your legislators and join other members of the Physicians Coalition working to protect you, your practice and your patients. All physicians welcome. Scan the QR code to register today!
Drs. Jay Fakier & Jason Romero
Dr. Eugene St. Martin circa 1957
Dr. Ronnie Bergeron 2021
Dr. Scott Ritch
24 J LA MED SOC | VOL 177 | SPRING 2025
J LA MED SOC | VOL 177 | SPRING 2025 25
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