Today I read a beautiful "In Memoriam" printed in the National Gaucher Foundation Fall 2011 Newsletter and cried. Here it is:
"Dr. Fernhoff was an outstanding pediatrician, clinical geneticist, and
respected and beloved member of both the Emory and Atlanta communities
for over 30 years. In thinking about how one could ever fully
acknowledge his life and achievements, it is difficult
to separate the doctor from the man himself. There was no shortage of
information available about his many achievements.
Dr. Fernhoff’s entire career was devoted to improving infant and child
health. His work helped to realize widespread screening of infants in
the state for a myriad of genetic diseases with therapeutic
interventions. As a result, countless children survived
without the consequence of severe intellectual disability. As medical
director of the Lysosomal Storage Disease Center, he directed clinical
trials to explore the roles of enzyme replacement and enhancement
therapies for lysosomal storage diseases, a group
of over 40 genetic diseases. These trials led to effective control of
several of these disorders.
Dr. Fernhoff was also active in local and national activities in
assessing the ethical implications of introducing genetic technologies
such as newborn screening into public health programs.
In writing about the man himself, he was loved, respected and
appreciated. One need only read the lovely tributes to Dr. Paul Fernhoff
from the online guestbook at Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care. People
from all walks of life left messages, including friends,
coworkers, associates, patients, families of patients and those who are
grateful their loved ones are alive because of him.
One need not doubt the gravity of Paul’s effect on thousands of lives and the impact of his presence on this earth."
National Gaucher Foundation
We really miss him...we talk and think of him often...
I can honestly say that he was the greatest person I have ever known.
Jennifer Propst, MS, CGC
Emory Lysosomal Storage Disease Center
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