Through the gift of service and philanthropy, Gary Wasserman, D.O., made a mark at Children’s Mercy Hospital.
And to recognize his personal philanthropy and support of the hospital, Children’s Mercy has named the waiting room at the Adele Hall Campus Emergency Department the “Gary ‘Doc Wass’ Wasserman Waiting Room.” The announcement was made Dec. 19 in the auditorium by Gregory Conners, M.D., division director, Emergency and Urgent Care, in a ceremony attended by Dr. Wasserman and his family, friends and former colleagues. More than 1,000 children and families come every week to the waiting room and reception area of the Emergency Department seeking care.
“Wass,” as he is known throughout the hospital, retired earlier this year after a 41-year-career at Children’s Mercy. In addition to his service he has given to the hospital or pledged gifts totaling more than $250,000 to the hospital, and through his stewardship of the Tommy Simone Family (Necco Coffee), the Simone-Fontana Foundation has contributed more than a half-million dollars to the hospital’s Emergency Department. The Tommy Simone Memorial Scholarship Fund was established in honor of the 12-year-old boy whose life came to a tragic end in 1983 when he was struck by a vehicle.
“Wass has been a friend of the Emergency Department for many decades,” Dr. Conners said. “He has contributed to our department through his patient care, his education of our staff and his important work with the Simone-Fontana Family Memorial Foundation.”
Dr. Wasserman is considered one of the founding fathers of pediatric toxicology in the United States and internationally. He was responsible for developing a nationally recognized Section of Medical Toxicology at Children’s Mercy, and served as director of Children’s Mercy’s Poison Control Center for more than 20 years. He is one of the nation’s foremost experts on snake and spider bites, as well as poisonings in children.
“Throughout his 41-year-career at Children’s Mercy, Wass was a distinguished clinician, teacher and researcher,” said Jennifer Lowry, M.D., chief of Medical Toxicology. “With his indomitable spirit and tireless dedication to children, ever-present sense of humor and positive attitude, he is an inspiration to many and friend to all, especially me.”
Jane Knapp, M.D., chair of Graduate Medical Education, called Dr. Wasserman, “The master of the positive attitude.”
Charles Roberts, M.D., executive vice president/executive medical director, said, “You gave your heart and your spirit to this place and to your friends, and that is a gift that we’ll treasure forever.”
When it was his turn to speak, Dr. Wasserman flashed his famous sense of humor.
“Socrates made long speeches, and they poisoned him,” he said. “So I’ll keep this brief.”
Dr. Wasserman, who estimated that he worked nearly 5,000 shifts in the Emergency Room, thanked the gathering by saying, “Words cannot express my feelings and my happiness about being here today to receive this honor, which is super special to me.”
When asked about his philanthropic support of the hospital, Dr. Wasserman said, “Children’s Mercy is really like family, and you’ve got to take care of family.”
