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G. Bradley Schaefer, M.D. |
“The professor was a fruit fly genetics guy and on the first day of class he asked if I was interested in genetic research,” Dr. Schaefer said. “I jumped at the chance.
“On Saturday nights, when everyone else was out partying, I was pulling wings off of fruit flies.”
Upon his graduation from the University of Oklahoma, Dr. Schaefer was torn between genetics and medicine. When he asked for advice, his father told him to find a way to do both.
Where there’s a will there’s a way. Dr. Schaefer went on to pursue genetics and medicine earning his doctorate from the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. He completed his residency in pediatrics in 1984 and a fellowship in pediatric genetics, endocrinology and metabolism in 1986.
Dr. Schaefer joined UNMC’s Munroe-Meyer Institute in April of 1990 as a clinical geneticist. Shortly thereafter, he became the discipline director of human genetics in the pediatrics department in 1992. He has been the medical director of MMI since 1995 and the associate director of MMI since 1997. He was named the Omaha Scottish Rite Professor of Child Health at UNMC in 2001.
In short, Dr. Schaefer is a national leader in medical genetics with a resume of published articles too numerous to count. He considers himself a “genetic missionary,” which is why when an offer to establish a genetics department came from the University of Arkansas for Medical Services, Dr. Schaefer couldn’t pass up the opportunity.
“In the 18 years I’ve been here, we’ve built a wonderful program,” he said. “I’ve helped to build Dr. (Bruce) Buehler’s legacy and now I have a chance to build a program with my stamp on it. It’s a very cool draw.”
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Dr. Schaefer also will serve as chief of pediatric genetics and metabolism at Arkansas Children’s Hospital.
His last day at MMI will be June 16. A farewell party is scheduled that day from 2:30-4:30 p.m. in Room 3016 at MMI.
Despite his impending departure, Dr. Schaefer is confident about the program he leaves behind. Warren Sanger, Ph.D., professor and director of the Human Genetics Laboratory, will fill in for Dr. Schaefer on interim basis while a search is conducted for his replacement.
“Nothing is going to fall apart; the program is strong,” he said. “Even though I’m leaving, it will continue to thrive and there will be no drop off in services. Dr. Sanger is an excellent choice. He knows genetics inside and out.”
Bruce Buehler, M.D., former director of the Munroe-Meyer Institute, referred to Dr. Schaefer as the energizer bunny.
“He is a superb teacher, a great clinician and has developed the field of Neuro Genetics,” Dr. Buehler said. “He will be a great loss, but I know he wants to build a program, and Arkansas is his chance.”
As is evident, Dr. Schaefer is leaving on good terms.
“You don’t work somewhere for 18 years and not leave a bunch behind,” he said.
“It’s been tough to see patients for the last time.”
For those of you hoping Dr. Schaefer will pull a move similar to Creighton University Basketball Coach Dana Altman and return to Omaha from Arkansas following a “pig sooie” chant, don’t count on it.
“I’ve stayed an Oklahoma Sooner fan up here, and I’ll stay a Sooner fan down there,” he said.