Zelig H. Lieberman, MD

Dr. Lieberman is the first Baylor physician to be honored with a building named after him. The idea originated with the medical staff; the administration and board of trustees enthusiastically concurred. Dr. Lieberman's special focus is the surgical treatment of cancer. Since one of the major goals of the Baylor Institute of Immunology Research is to develop better methods to treat cancer, it is fitting that Dr. Lieberman's name should be associated with this research initiative. At the dedication of the building, Dr. Michael Ramsay said, “It's a natural to call it the Zeck Lieberman building. . . . The whole program is of the highest quality, integrity, and excellence. We have a physician at Baylor who represents all these qualities.”

Three generations of the family were present at the unveiling, including Dr. Lieberman's three grown children, Stephen, Randy, and Susan. At Dr. Lieberman's insistence, his wife, Marilyn, joined him at the podium. Dr. Jack Bufkin recognized her for the encouragement, support, and advice she has provided to her husband for more than 40 years. He quoted Proverbs: “She will not hinder him, but will help him all the while.”

When the time came for him to respond to the tributes, Dr. Lieberman was moved to tears. He spoke of how highly he valued his friendships with those assembled, and he praised Baylor for being a place where he could achieve his aspirations. In closing, Dr. Lieberman emphasized the importance of the immunology research program to the ongoing clinical work at Baylor.

Fritz E. Barton, Jr., MD

There's a famous saying in the world of surgery, that the mark of a great surgeon is in his head rather than in his hands. Zeck Lieberman demonstrates the truth of that saying. He is a team player—all of us would agree on that. When you are working on a team with Zeck, you are not just a subservient member. He listens to the people around him—an unusual quality in a surgeon.

He is the youngest man I know. He hasn't allowed himself to get fixed in the past but always embraces change with excitement. It's almost unsettling how freely he entertains new ideas. He's always imparting them to younger colleagues, rather than the other way around.

Norman G. Diamond, MD

Zeck's entire focus is on providing his patients with the best possible care. No stone is left unturned. He shares both responsibility and credit with his colleagues. He is tireless, buoyant, and always genuinely enthusiastic even in the face of seemingly unsolvable problems. He is also an unofficial standard bearer for how we should conduct ourselves as physicians in these uncertain times. Despite all the praise we heap upon him, he is humble and down to earth. He is reluctant to accept the credit for all he has done for his patients, his colleagues, and Baylor.

Peter A. Dysert II, MD

Since words sometimes come hard for me, I will express what I would say in a series of character statements using the words of others.

Thomas Merton said, “Science is concerned with universals. Art is always concerned with the unique.” I think that Dr. Lieberman excels in applying principles of science to the unique situations we call patients.

Parker Palmer said, “Good teaching cannot be produced with technique. Good teaching comes from the identity and integrity of the teacher.” Zeck, you represent that for me.

Albert Einstein said, “Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile.” Zeck, you mean a great deal to me and all your colleagues. I think we all look at the immunology research building named in your honor and see the promise and hope of the future.

W. P. (Phil) Evans III, MD

Dr. Lieberman is a man I greatly honor and respect—as we all do—not only for his knowledge, judgment, and compassion as a physician, but also for his qualities as a human being. I first met Dr. Lieberman when I was a young physician working in the radiology department. Late one afternoon, I was sitting quietly reading films when I heard whistling. No tune, just whistling. Anyone who works in the department knows what that means: Dr. Lieberman is going to pay a visit.

As he approached I immediately noticed that he was carrying 3 or 4 large jackets of x-rays. You must realize that Dr. Lieberman is referred cases from all over the world, and—excellent physician that he is—he always asks his patients to bring all of their x-rays. His first words to me were, “Have you got a minute?” Looking at the number of x-rays, I thought it was going to be a couple of hours. It was getting close to 6 pm and I was eager to get home. But from that first meeting until now, I have always had a minute for Dr. Lieberman, or an hour, or a day, whatever it takes. He is one of the most supportive men I know. I have seen him work with younger physicians and show them how he values their opinions.

That first consultation did not take nearly as long as I thought it would. But when we were finished he said, “By the way, I've just finished reading this new book about the philosophy of life, and I think you would like it. Here's a copy. We'll discuss it the next time I see you.” Now I had an assignment. Zeck constantly has new ideas because he constantly reads, not just about medicine but about life.

Robert I. Parks, Jr., MD

I wanted to ride a tricycle in here today. Several years ago, when Zeck was going through one of his phases, he was into bike riding. He took a tumble one day and fractured his collarbone. When he returned to his office the next day, he found a tricycle waiting for him, with a note that read, “Perhaps you need to get back to stage one.”

I had the pleasure of working with Dr. Lieberman for over 20 years. I marveled at his surgical expertise. But the surgeon pales in comparison to the man behind the mask. His compassion for his patients is well known. His sense of team play, his ability to involve everyone, is unique. You can feel uncomfortable when several physicians are involved in the treatment of a patient, but I've never seen Zeck Lieberman allow his ego to get in the way of a patient's care.

When physicians could be added to the board of trustees of BUMC, we put in place a very comprehensive selection process. It will not be a surprise to anyone in this room that when those 3 trustees were named, Zeck Lieberman was one of them.

R. Pickett Scruggs, MD

When I was a kid I loved the St. Louis Cardinals, and my hero was Stan Musial. When I got to high school and took up golf, my hero was Arnold Palmer. Later I came to practice at Baylor and soon had a new hero: Dr. Zeck Lieberman.

I don't think the words “surgeon” or “doctor” adequately describe Dr. Lieberman. He is a healer, a maker. He brings people and ideas together. That building over there is brick and mortar and glass and equipment, but if it has his spirit, his infectious enthusiasm, then it will be a wonderful institution.

Michael J. Smerud, MD

In medical school we learned that modern medicine is based on 3 fundamentals: patient care, research, and training. Dr. Lieberman is an example of the good that one person can accomplish by remaining true to these ideals. In patient care, the quality of his work and compassion are models to us all. In research, his work as both investigator and administrator has helped make this institution much more than just another big-city hospital. But it is in the area of training that he stands tallest. When I was a radiology resident, Dr. Lieberman would often come whistling down the hall to discuss problem cases. He was invaluable in helping a novice find out what needed to be done. Twenty years later, not much has changed. His insights are still extremely helpful in training a new generation of physicians, and even a middle-aged radiologist still learns from him.