[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 127 (Thursday, October 12, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1756-E1757]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                   TRIBUTE TO DR. GEROLD L. SCHIEBLER

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. KAREN L. THURMAN

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 11, 2000

  Mrs. THURMAN. Mr. Speaker, I am here today to pay tribute to Dr. 
Gerold L. Schiebler, the Associate Vice President for Health Affairs 
for External Relations at the University of Florida Health Science 
Center and a Distinguished Service Professor with the Department of 
Pediatrics (Cardiology). Dr. Schiebler is a very special doctor and 
advocate for health-care issues who I am sorry to say is retiring by 
the end of the year after 40 years of unselfish service to children, to 
medicine, to the University of Florida Health Science Center and to 
Shands Hospital in Gainesville, Florida.
  Let me start off by telling you a little bit about this man's 
remarkable background.
  Growing up, Dr. Schiebler probably never realized that he was 
destined to be a great physician. He started off--like so many great 
Americans--quite modestly. In fact, as recounted by his longtime friend 
Clarence Burkey, at the completion of the meal at a recent awards 
dinner, the person seated next to Dr. Schiebler said, I can tell that 
you are a child of the depression era because you `cleaned up' your 
plate.'' That begins to describe the early years of a first generation 
child of German immigrants. They lived in and were a part of the 
Borough of Hamburg, a small middle class Pennsylvania-German community, 
where frugality, pride, and self-sufficiency were the rules.
  In high school he was an excellent student, class president and class 
valedictorian. Years later and as part of her life recollections, 
former grade school principal, Ella Scholl, remarked that he was ``the 
smartest person that had ever graduated from Hamburg High.'' Mrs. 
Scholl's late husband had also been the high school principal for many 
years. Dr. Schiebler attended Franklin and Marshall College where he 
graduated magna cum laude and then graduated from Harvard Medical 
School. His medical internship and residency were at the Massachusetts 
General Hospital and the Mayo Clinic. While in residency at the Mayo 
Clinic, Clarence Burkey recalls, ``During a visit to Hamburg, Gerold 
called at the home of my mother to inquire of my whereabouts. He 
noticed that there was something medically wrong with her. He looked at 
her medication and then told her that she was taking the wrong thyroid 
medicine. That visit added more than a decade to her life.''
  This was clearly only the beginning of what would be a very long and 
distinguished career for the 72-year-old physician.
  Throughout his medical career, Dr. Schiebler was an influential 
member of numerous professional societies, including the Society for 
Pediatric Research and the American Pediatric Society. He also wrote or 
co-wrote 86 peer-reviewed articles published in medical journals, 
authored four books and wrote 10 chapters for inclusion in other 
medical texts--predominantly on the subject of cardiac disease in 
children. As his published writings make clear, over time, he truly 
became an expert in his field.
  But he also became much more than that. As he grew into the role of 
teacher and mentor, he became an expert at creating experts. Many of 
his former faculty members are proof of his ability and commitment to 
helping younger colleagues grow and succeed. Today, many are chairmen 
or deans at institutions throughout the country.
  In fact, you can even say that his 17-year tenure as the Chairman of 
Pediatrics at the University of Florida was legendary. Residents joked 
that he could read an EKG and then be able to tell the patient's age, 
hometown and referring physician!
  Dr. Milton Morris, Director of Governmental Relations at the 
University of Florida, said he has learned a great deal from Dr. 
Schiebler over the years. ``He was a mentor to me and he taught me how 
to be a mentor. He taught me the advantage of investing in the 
future,'' Dr. Morris said. ``He has a love of, and faith in, medical 
students. He provided students with experience in politics, in the 
medical profession and encouraged them to become contributing members 
of society.''
  I had the pleasure of getting to know a 21-year-old University of 
Florida medical student this summer who considers herself one of Dr. 
Schiebler's biggest fans. Joy Kunishige interned in my Washington 
office this summer after coming to me highly recommended by Dr. 
Schiebler--a man she says will always have a very special place in her 
heart.
  Despite his many accomplishments, Joy says, Dr. Schiebler makes time 
to help and support aspiring students.
  ``I have no idea how to thank Dr. Schiebler for all he has done for 
me,'' Joy said. ``I always tell him, `please let me know how I can help 
you.' The last time I said this he said, `When you're in a position to 
do so, someone else will come and ask you for the same thing. You can 
return the favor then'.''
  Former student turned Senior Associate Dean for Educational Affairs 
Dr. Robert T. Watson says, ``Dr. Schiebler. is easily one of the most 
amazing people I have ever known. He possesses the ability to keep 
track of an infinite number of things and has a deep and sincere 
commitment to medical education. I don't know anyone else like that. I 
don't think a team could replace him.''
  Ann Groves, Administrative Assistant to Dr. Schiebler for 25 years, 
agrees. She said, ``He can generate more work in five minutes than a 
team can in five months and while Dr. Schiebler is telling us what to 
do, he is also writing it down and doing it!''
  He is also well known for his uncanny ability to remember details 
about people. He knows your middle name. He knows where your parents 
grew up. He just knows. He has an ability to make everyone feel special 
and important. These are qualities that have enabled him to succeed and 
develop great personal and professional relationships wherever he goes.
  Part of the reason for this success is his ability to be quick on his 
feet--literally. Rarely one to take an elevator, he walked the halls of 
the Florida State Capitol so much--up and down flights of stairs--that 
his wife, Audrey, once bought him a pedometer. When asked where the 
pedometer went, Dr. Schiebler replied, ``When I looked how far I had 
walked, I threw it away!'' Each legislative session, Ann Groves said, 
he walks so much he wears out a couple pairs of shoes.
  With this energy and spirit, he has lobbied for Shands Hospital, the 
University of Florida Health Science Center, and, most fervently and 
constantly, for children. Both Dr. Schiebler and his wife, Audrey, have 
fostered a lifelong interest in children's health issues. Dr. Schiebler 
was an early advocate for providing health insurance for children from 
birth. Before this landmark legislation, insurance companies did not 
offer coverage to children until they were 60 to 90 days old. Since his 
pioneering advocacy, all other states have similarly expanded insurance 
coverage. ``As Director of Children's Medical Services (CMS), he 
introduced the concept of CMS covering the full spectrum of chronic 
health diseases in children. He established the modern CMS program as 
the most powerful program for children with special health care needs 
in the country,'' comments Dr. Arlan Rosenbloom, Assistant Medical 
Director of CMS and University of Florida Distinguished Service 
Professor Emeritus of Pediatrics.
  As a trained and skilled medical doctor with political intellect and 
wherewithal, Dr. Schiebler's deep concern and knowledge of the issues 
have enabled him over the years to become an effective champion for 
children and the University of Florida.
  In the words of the man chosen to succeed Dr. Schiebler following his 
retirement, Dr. Richard Bucciarelli said, ``In addition to the advocacy 
and vision Dr. Schiebler has for kids, he was--and still is--an 
outstanding and caring physician. He brings a unique combination of a 
practicing physician who has a knowledge of the legislative process. 
Both of these skills make him very credible in both arenas,'' said Dr. 
Bucciarelli, who is the Assistant Vice-President for Health Affairs for 
External Relations and a professor of Pediatrics at the UF College of 
Medicine.
  Dr. Schiebler's hard work and many accomplishments have not gone 
unnoticed.
  In 1991, Dr. Schiebler became the only person from the University of 
Florida to be accepted into the National Academy of Sciences Institute 
of Medicine while being on the faculty of the University of Florida 
College of Medicine. In the academic world, this is a very high honor.
  He has also been recognized in many other distinguished ways.
  The District III Children's Medical Services Center bears his name, 
an honor bestowed upon him by the late Gov. Lawton Chiles. This was a 
rare happening as buildings are not typically named for the living. The 
exception was made possible by an unusual vote of the Florida State 
Legislature in 1990.
  Last year, he received yet another honor when Florida Governor Jeb 
Bush proclaimed him the Children's Medical Services, Pediatrician of 
the Decade, The proclamation reads, ``Whereas it is crucial that health 
care programs are developed to meet the needs of children, including 
children with special health care needs; and Whereas, the development 
of these programs requires leadership, direction and advocacy; and . . 
. Gerold L. Schiebler, M.D. has dedicated his professional career to 
such leadership, direction and advocacy for Children's Medical Services 
programs . . .''

[[Page E1757]]

  The Florida State Legislature also gave Dr. Schiebler a grand send 
off to his retirement before concluding the session.
  In a House Resolution passed by the 118 Members present, H.R. 9135 
outlined his many accomplishments. In one section, the resolution 
reads, ``Whereas, the recipient of awards too numerous to set forth in 
their entirety, Dr. Schiebler has the distinction of being the only 
individual to receive both the Abraham Jacobi Award and the Doctor 
Benjamin Rush Award during any one year, has had an Eminent Scholar's 
Chair in Pediatric Cardiology named for him at the University of 
Florida, and has had the Gerold L. Schiebler Lectureship established in 
his honor. . . . That the Florida House of Representatives pauses in 
its deliberations to honor the distinguished Gerold L. Schiebler, M.D. 
. . .''
  The Florida Senate Resolution ``commending Gerold L. Schiebler, M.D., 
for his contributions to the health and welfare of children in this 
state'' was equally complimentary.
  A portion of the Senate Resolution reads, ``. . . Gerold L. 
Schiebler's efforts have resulted in the creation of Children's Medical 
Services, infant metabolic screening, infant hearing screening, 
regional neonatal and perinatal intensive care centers, poison control 
centers, insurance coverage for babies at birth, and numerous other 
programs. . . . That the Florida Senate commends Gerold L. Schiebler 
for his dedication and accomplishments in providing better health care 
for the children of this state.''
  And, just last month, out of respect and appreciation to Dr. 
Schiebler, his peers honored him at the Annual Alumni meeting by 
choosing him to become one of the first three individuals designated as 
an Honorary Alumnus of the University of Florida College of Medicine.
  In the Florida Senate, I had the pleasure of working with Dr. 
Schiebler on dental school appropriations, tort reform and children's 
issues. In that time, I learned that his relationships with legislators 
was as much about his commitment to helping people as it was about his 
commitment to his legislative goals. If you needed advice or help about 
a medical problem for yourself or your family or if you had a 
constituent who could not get care, you would call Dr. Schiebler. You 
could send a child without health insurance up to Gainesville and leave 
a message on his answering machine on Sunday night. You knew he would 
open the health center's doors on Monday morning. In many cases, he 
saved people's lives.
  Since entering Congress, we have continued to work together on the 
Patients Bill of Rights, healthcare reform and the Graduate Medical 
Education Program. We most recently secured federal funding for the 
creation of the Brain Institute at the University of Florida. The 
multi-million dollar building now houses magnet systems and the largest 
breadth of multidisciplinary talent focused on the nervous system.
  On a more personal note, he has been very supportive of me and my 
family. Dr. Schiebler was a great help when my husband John was 
diagnosed with polycystic kidney disease. We took John up to Shands 
when John started to go through the dialysis procedures. He was there 
when John had a transplant. I remember sleeping in my car one night 
while John was in the ER and the next day Dr. Schiebler asked, ``Why 
didn't you call me?'' He was helpful to me and continues to be.
  It's very hard to completely sum up all of Dr. Schiebler's 
accomplishments and contributions because he's done so much for so many 
people, but I will make an attempt. Dr. Schiebler is an advocate for 
children. He is an advocate for Shands Hospital and the University of 
Florida Health Science Center. He is an advocate for the American 
Medical Association. He is an advocate for me. He is an advocate for 
his family. He credits his wife, Audrey, for shaping and inspiring his 
every accomplishment, including the couple's six children--Mark, 
Marcella, Kristen, Wanda, Bettina and Michele--and their 17 
grandchildren.
  Perhaps his character is best described by his colleague, Dr. 
Rosenbloom: ``He never, never did anything for Gerry Schiebler. He 
always acted for the kids for whom he felt responsible, for his family 
or for his academic family. Never self-serving, he is the most 
unselfish, caring person of power you will ever meet.''
  I couldn't agree more.
  Thank you Dr. Schiebler for your many years of service to me, to the 
University of Florida Health Science Center, to Shands Hospital and to 
the people of Florida. You will be missed!

                          ____________________