Summer 2013 COM Outlook | NSU College of Osteopathic Medicine

23 COM Outlook . Summer 2013 ami. “But as the old adage goes, they made me an offer I couldn’t refuse, and I agreed to stay on for a year as the college’s chief of cardiology and chair of internal medicine.” When Dr. Greber arrived at SECOM, the college had just obtained its first Harvey device. In typically Greberesque fashion, he immediately delved into all aspects of the simula- tor and began using it regularly for lectures. As a result of his Harvey expertise and contributions to the students, the Harvey Lab was of- ficially renamed the A. Alvin Gre- ber Cardiac Simulation Center on October 22, 2007. In addition to his Harvey achievements, Dr. Greber was responsible for modernizing the Department of Internal Medicine and recruiting renowned faculty mem- bers. He also singlehandedly created the curricula syllabi and imple- mented an innovative log system to track medical students’ attendance and performance during their third- and fourth-year rotations. In another show of immense respect, Dr. Greber was appointed clinical professor of internal medicine at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine—a rare feat for a D.O. at that time. “It is very humbling to think that you deserve such an honor as having your name placed on a clinical simu- lation lab that will remain for many years,” stated Dr. Greber during the Harvey Lab renaming ceremony in 2007. “Perhaps decades from now students will walk into the lab and wonder who that individual was.” As we all know, that single year eventually extended to 24, which proved to be a wonderful circum- stance for the students Dr. Greber taught and the numerous people at Nova Southeastern University who shared a special bond with him. He also will be remembered lovingly by his many patients for the bril- liant diagnostic skills he possessed, his compassionate ability to relate to them—and his incredibly caring heart. Colleagues and Friends Reminisce About the Unforgettable Dr. Greber “In my 32 years at NSU, I have interacted with some wonderful faculty members, but Dr. Greber stands out because he was not only knowledgeable in medicine, but he was a great teacher who was always positive with our students and faculty members. I received a call from Hilda Green, D.O., who was one of Al’s residents in Philadelphia many years ago, and she cried at the news of his passing. She told me that Dr. Greber had a tremendous influence on her practice of internal medicine through the years because of his compassion and empathy for people. I believe Dr. Mort Terry would have called him a ‘people doctor.’ From my perspective, Dr. Greber had the unique quality for explaining complicated medical jargon into language every person could understand, and I loved him for that. He would laugh at my humor even when he was racked with pain. He will never be forgotten.” – Stan Cohen, Ed.D., HPD executive vice dean for educational support “Dr. Greber always comported himself with a sense of intrinsic panache. No matter how he felt physically, Dr. Greber always arrived in impeccably dapper style, willingly sharing a hug, a friendly word, or a heartfelt compliment. During my 14 years at NSU’s Health Professions Division, I’ve witnessed the passing of many legendary osteopathic figures such as Drs. Morton Terry, Morton Morris, Lawrence Jacobson—and now Dr. Greber. They all played such a pivotal role in the development of both NSU-COM and the Health Professions Divisions and were much beloved. Fortunately, they will live on in our hearts and memories forever.” – Scott Colton, B.A., APR, COM/HPD Director of Medical Communications and Public Relations “When I was a medical student at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine in the late 1970s, my first clinical rotation was with Dr. Greber at Parkview Hospital. Being like a deer in the headlights, I showed up at the hospital for a new experience. And there was Dr. Greber, who had a hospital census of patients so abundant I thought he owned the hospital. Quickly, I realized the intern who was to help instruct and manage this heavy census was scheduled to take his vacation. Well, it was just Dr. Greber and I handling this patient load—talk about a baptism by fire. It soon became obvious what type of man and physician Dr. Greber was. He was always prompt, courteous, patient, and in command. He taught me by example what it means to be an osteopathic physician, a distinction that is oftentimes lost in today’s busy medico-political world. Little did I know that in time Dr. Greber would be my fellow teaching colleague and friend, or that I would become his personal ENT physician. As I always preach to the students, ‘Remember those that came before us, both living and deceased, that have helped build our profession. Thank you to my friend and colleague for his never-ending inspiration and helping to mold me into the physician I have become.” – Robert B. Contrucci, D.O., chair and clinical associate professor, Division of Otorhinolaryngology “Dr. Greber was one of the first faculty members that welcomed me to the College of Osteopathic Medicine when I arrived in 1998. He had such a welcoming smile and personality. I got to know Dr. Greber very well over the years, not only as a physician, but as a friend. He was always asking me if I was ‘feeling okay’ and never complained if he was not ‘feeling okay.’ He always showed compassion and care for everyone he met. His presence will be sorely missed not only by me and those in our college, but by all of those at NSU as well as our CEME affiliates whose lives he touched in one way or another.” – Johneta Goodwin, director of administrative operations