Healthcare Professionals – Proctor Place Senior Living

Randall Kowalske, DDS

Comprehensive dental examinations (private practice)

Dr. Kowalske was born and raised in East Peoria, and attended East Peoria High School. He earned an undergraduate degree from Millikin University. He also attended dental school at Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. In 1980, he opened his private practice, which continues today at Associated Family Dental Care on Dries Lane in Peoria. He has provided dental services to Proctor Place residents for more than 26 years.

John Ruff, DPM

Comprehensive foot care examinations and treatment

Dr. Ruff graduated from Peoria High School and earned Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Arkansas State University. He then attended Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine at Finch University, graduating after a residency at the V.A. Chicago Health Care System. He returned to Peoria in 1985 and established a private practice, which continues today. He has hospital affiliations with Methodist Medical Center, OSF St. Francis Medical Center, OSF Center for Health, Proctor Hospital, and Peoria Day Surgical Center. Dr. Ruff has professional affiliations with the American Podiatric Medical Association, Illinois Podiatric Medical Association, and American College of Foot Surgeons. He serves on the American Board of Podiatric Surgery, and is past president of the Midwest Podiatry Conference and Illinois Podiatric Medical Association.

Dr. Ruff has beene married for over 30 years and has two sons. One of his sons serves in the Navy, while the other followed in his footsteps and is in Podiatry school. Dr. Ruff was the past president of Illinois Podiatric Medical Association and anllinois Delegate for House of Representatives APMA in Washington D. C.. When Dr. Ruff is not hard at work you will find him enjoying one of his favorite hobbies, running, golfing and basketball.

Roger W. Fitch , OD

Complete eye exams and eye care (private practice)

Dr. Fitch has been in practice in Peoria since 1976, when he started at the Carver Community Clinic. From 1978 to 1987 he worked with Dr. Clarence Ward in downtown Peoria. In 1987 he took over the practice of the retiring Robert Russell. In 2002 he moved his practice to Glen Park Place in Peoria, and in 2008 took Timothy G. Cundiff, OD on as a partner. They provide full scope primary care optometry with contact lens services, Low Vision services, Vision Therapy for children with academic issues, and traumatic brain injury neuro-rehabilitation care. In 1989 there were no providers of eyecare services to local long term care facilities so Dr. Fitch took on staff and mobile equipment to begin serving these patients in Central Illinois. Because of the quality of care and the excellent staff of Vision Care Outreach, we now serve over 40 facilities within a two hour drive from Peoria. Dr. Fitch and his staff began providing care at the Proctor Endowment Home in 2012.

Dr. Fitch and his wife Beth have four married children and three grandchildren. They reside in Peoria. The Fitch’s attend Bethany Baptist Church. Dr. Fitch enjoys reading about the “greatest generation” who have given him such a blessed life, Christian apologetics to help understand how much we are loved by the Lord, and science to keep up on his profession.