Barrow Neurological Institute at Phoenix Children’s Hospital Director, Dr. P.David Adelson reflects on how Dr. Allen Kaplan has made life better for children in our community for four decades.
A Note from Dr. Kaplan:
As many of you know I will be retiring from clinical medicine and child neurology April 1, 2016. No fooling.
I have been very fortunate since my arrival in Phoenix in 1975 to have had the opportunity of working with so many of you over the years. I have been with Phoenix Children’s Hospital since its conception in the late 1970s and watched the evolution of our institution to the present time. I have enjoyed working with all of you as well as the residents, students, and all the families and patients. I also have been fortunate in having many memorable neurology colleagues and support staff over these years that have made my life in medicine much easier. I am pleased with the development of neurosciences at Phoenix Children’s Hospital and in the recent recruitment of a director of physical medicine and rehabilitation.
I know many of you are wondering what Al will do in his retirement, and my wife Mary is also concerned. I, however, plan to remain on the medical staff, hopefully as an emeritus member and will continue to chair the Archives Committee.
I will apply for the position of chief of child neurology (just kidding), but I do remain dedicated and passionate to the history of Phoenix Children’s Hospital, pediatrics in Arizona and bringing an exhibit on pediatric history to the hospital.
I also want to take this opportunity to wish you all good luck on your careers in the field of pediatrics, research and on your continued dedication and commitment to the care of children in Arizona.
Oh yeah! and EHR.
In the words of Sir William Osler, Oxford 1906:
“The real work of life is done by the fortieth year and after the sixtieth year, it would be best for the world and best for themselves if men rested from their labours.”
Sincerely,
Al (Better late than never)
After more than 40 years as a child neurologist at Phoenix Children’s Hospital, Allen Kaplan, MD, is retiring. Dr. Kaplan has dedicated his career to treating his pediatric patients, and he is regarded as one of the founders of Phoenix Children’s Hospital, the Children’s Neuroscience Institute that later became Barrow Neurological Institute at Phoenix Children’s Hospital, as well as the Jaydie Lynn King Neuro-Oncology Program at Phoenix Children’s.He had clinical and academic interests in neurogenetics and pediatric brain tumors and was particularly active with the neurofibromatosis community treating a wide spectrum of pediatric and then adult patients. As well, Dr. Kaplan was instrumental in developing and building the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation service and shepherding expertly through a number of transitions. He also served as a clinical professor of pediatrics at the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix.
Dr. Kaplan along with his wife, Mary, are true ambassadors for Phoenix Children’s Hospital and the community, and it is with much appreciation that we congratulate him on his work and dedication to us all.
His last day is March 30, 2016. Dr. Kaplan will continue in serving on the Archives Committee for Phoenix Children’s. Please join us in thanking Dr. Kaplan for his lifetime of work for and dedication to Phoenix Children’s Hospital.
P. David Adelson, MD
Director, Barrow Neurological Institute at Phoenix Children’s Hospital
Diane and Bruce Halle Endowed Chair for Pediatric Neurosciences
Chief, Pediatric Neurosurgery
Donations can be made in honor of Dr. Kaplan and his work on the Phoenix Children’s Hospital Foundation website.