Dr. Ann Riggs (right) makes jewlery with her friend Leta Peterson (center), and mother Janet Riggs.
Her other necklace is a
Stethoscope
A stethoscope is Dr. Ann T. Riggs’ most important piece of jewelry during the day, but when the vice chair of clinical programs leaves clinic, and by the time she visits the last nursing home patient on her list, her best stress-reliever is crafting exquisite pieces of jewelry. With the precise skill of a surgeon, the auburn-haired geriatrician designs one-of-a-kind pieces of jewelry. Janet Riggs introduced her daughter Ann to “beading” after best friend Maria Mayo Donovan got her hooked on the hobby years ago in Rochester, Minn. When Janet and Larry Riggs, retired Mayo Clinic endocrinologist, settled in Little Rock, the pastime became a peaceful diversion and a regular mother/daughter activity. Friend Leta Peterson, a pain clinic nurse at Reynolds Institute, joined the activity and soon it became a self-sustaining business/hobby. “We have joked about our bead business and we call it the ‘sweat shop’,” Dr. Riggs said laughing. “I’m definitely keeping my day job.” 6
AgeLess
Dr. Riggs says her artistic talent comes from her mother’s side of the genetic tree and her love of medicine comes from her father’s. “Mother is an artist with a creative mind, and my father is an analytical doctor who also happens to love creative things,” she explained. “They are perfect examples of active retirees. Dad recently joined Aging Well, Living Better