Dr Powell, a GP in Dunedin and the wider Otago area since the late 1980s, bought her practice and then transferred it to its central city location 18 years ago.
''People said I was crazy having a medical practice in a mall, but it was the cheapest rent,'' she said.
''We built it up from a small practice, then expanded into the old mall management space ... put an extra couple of rooms on, and made it into a nice working space,''Dr Powell said.
Hers was an ''old-fashioned'' general practice offering services ranging from antenatal care to palliative care.
''We also offer all those family things in between, which is why I guess people keep coming back: they ask me 'Do I remember?' and I do.''
Dr Powell's service has been gratefully acknowledged by her patients: since they were told she was leaving a steady stream of wellwishers have visited to leave thank you cards and gifts.
''You have a family come in to see you saying 'You have looked after all of us' and the person I think of as mum is actually grandma,'' Dr Powell said.
''That has been a great privilege.''
The practice has been sold to Southlink Health, which takes over today.
Dr Powell will take three months off before deciding what to do next.
However, with 10 grandchildren there were still plenty of demands on her time, she said.
''I really enjoy that time with them, it's a great joy to me,'' Dr Powell said.
''They're just like my patients - they grow up so quickly.''
