CAMDEN, NJ -- Haddonfield resident William V. Harrer, MD, respected and beloved Laboratory Director of Pathology at Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center and Lourdes Medical Center of Burlington County, who retired in May 2012, was recently honored by Lourdes with a portrait to celebrate his 42 years of service at Lourdes and 50 years in medicine.

More than 60 guests, including Dr. Harrer's family, friends and associates, attended the portrait unveiling and cocktail reception. Artist Joseph Routon painted the portrait of Dr. Harrer. Routon has painted all of Lourdes portraits to date.

Nicknamed "Dr. Bones," Dr. Harrer, who joined Our Lady of Lourdes in 1970, has dedicated his entire career to the field of clinical pathology. Despite being highly accomplished, having served as president of the State Board of Medical Examiners for New Jersey, in addition to president of the medical staff at Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center, the New Jersey Society of Pathologists and a host of other prestigious organizations, he remained humble and deeply committed to his work and his profession.

"I was destined to be a physician since before I was even born," says Dr. Harrer, who comes from a family of physicians. "Becoming a doctor and following in my family's footsteps was the only thing I ever envisioned doing as a career."

Now retired, Dr. Harrer doesn't plan on slowing down any time soon. "There are a lot of things I have left to do," he says.

In addition to spending more time with his 4 children and 11 grandchildren, Dr. Harrer looks forward to fishing on his boat and to putting his St. Joseph's basketball season tickets to good use.

"I'm not worried about getting rusty or dusty," he says.

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Pictured: Dr. Harrer stands by his portrait, along with portrait artist Joseph Routon.