Dr. Kaplan with the author, Dr. Aileen Pangan
In a growing specialty that is still largely underserved, there is always a spark of excitement and an unspoken sense of camaraderie when one rheumatologist meets another in the most unexpected places. I met Herbert Kaplan, MD, during a trip to Massachusetts to see my parents-in-law at the retirement community they had just moved into. Both retired physicians, they were eager to share the news that their newfound friend in the building happened to be a rheumatologist like me and was a past president of the ACR.
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April 2018I vaguely recognized the name, but I didn’t know much about Dr. Kaplan. I was just in my last year of medical school when he was ACR president (1993–94). I decided to make it a point to sit down and chat with Dr. Kaplan whenever I was in town, and I exchanged occasional emails with him. The more I got to know Dr. Kaplan, the more I felt compelled to share the story of how I met him with not just a few colleagues, but to make sure this and future generations of rheumatologists know about Dr. Kaplan’s contributions to the advancement of our specialty.
A wonderful article! Thank you, Aileen. I learned much that I did not know before.
What a wonderful review of Dr. Herb Kaplan stressing his life and medical career history. He is truly a master in the field of rheumatology and a most congenial gentleman. In our retirement setting I have had the honor to be an acquaintance and friend. Thanks, Herb. And the photos of you and Bea are superb.
Such an asset to his field, and to all of his patients! He is a role model for a balanced life, committed service to others and a leader in advancing reliable care.
Great article! I worked with Dr. Kaplan for 15 years. I am grateful to you and the other physicians for making it such a amazing work experience. It truly was a once in a lifetime job. It is nice to see you are happy with retirement, you deserve it.
Wonderful article on an amazing doctor. I worked for Denver Arthritis Clinic from 1992-2000. Dr. Kaplan expected perfection from every staff member. He made us better employees and we loved learning from him and working with him and his colleagues. I have 1 of his photo’s hanging in our study today. Thank you for this article.
Terri McConville
Thanks for your warm comments. Which photo do you have again?
Dr. K.
Herb – you have always been a person I have looked up to and had great respect for. I appreciate all of your personal availability and kindness to me, although rarely occurring every few years by happenstance at various meetings. I thoroughly enjoyed the article on your extremely contributory and truly dedicated life for we rheumatologists. You deserve the very best, not too many hallway retirement consultations.
What a wonderful and appropriate tribute to an amazing person! Herb and I were partners at the Denver Arthritis Clinic for twenty three years. I learned a great deal about rheumatology, the ACR and life in general from him. He has been my closest and dearest friend. Herb, I miss you!
Walter
Walter G. Briney, MD, FACP, MACR
Distinguished Clinical Professor of Medicine, ret.
University of Colorado School of Medicine