Phillip P. Toskes, MD

Dr. Toskes is Professor and Chairman of the Department of Medicine at the University of Florida College of Medicine. He previously served as the Director of the Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition and Associate Chairman for Clinical Affairs for the Department of Medicine. Dr. Toskes also serves on the Shands Hospital Board of Directors, as well as numerous Shands Hospital committees, and on the Executive Committee and Executive Fiscal Affairs Committee for the College of Medicine, University of Florida. Dr. Toskes was the first chairman of the Digestive Health Initiative and founding member of the American Digestive Health Foundation, as well as the Federated Societies for Gastroenterology and Hepatology.

Dr. Toskes earned an AB, with honors, from the Johns Hopkins University in 1961, followed by his MD, with honors, from the University of Maryland School of Medicine in 1965.

Dr. Toskes is an international authority on pancreatic and malabsorptive disorders and has received numerous awards, both nationally and internationally, for his contributions to gastroenterology and health care reform. He is extensively published, currently authors chapters in a number of medical texts, and sits on the Editorial Board of several prestigious journals. He presently serves on the International Liaison Committee, is Chairman of the Geriatrics Task Force, and recent Past-President of the American Gastroenterological Association, serves on the Committee on Financing Departments of Internal Medicine for the Association of Professors of Medicine (APM). He has chaired the Gastroenterology Subspecialty Board Examination Committee and served as a Director for the American Board of Internal Medicine for eight years, with two as a member of the Executive Committee. He served as President of the Southern Society for Clinical Investigation, the American Pancreatic Association and the Florida Gastroenterological Society.

Richard H.Davis, Jr., PA-C

Mr. Davis is Senior Physician Assistant in the Department of Medicine's Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, at the University of Florida. He is licensed by the Florida State Department of Health and certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants.

In 1976 Mr. Davis earned his AB from St. Louis University and his Bachelor of Science in Medicine from the University of Florida in 1982. He attended graduate school in physiology at Kent State University in 1976-1977 and at the University of Virginia, 1986-1987. He is a Fellow with the American Academy of Physician Assistants and the Florida Academy of Physician Assistants.

In addition, Mr. Davis chairs the Clinical and Scientific Affairs Council of the American Academy of Physician Assistants and sits on the editorial board of the Journal of the American Academy of Physician Assistants.

G. Nicholas Verne, MD

Dr. Verne is presently Assistant Professor of Medicine and Director of the Gastrointestinal Physiology Laboratory at the University of Florida. He also serves on the Internal Medicine Housestaff Selection Committee and the Housestaff Evaluation Committee.

Dr. Verne graduated Summa Cum Laude with a BS in Biology from LeMoyne College in 1985 and was awarded his MD from the SUNY Health Science Center in 1989. He was a Resident in Internal Medicine at Albany Medical College, 1989-1992, and Gastroenterology Fellow at the University of Florida, 1992-1994. He is certified by the National Board of Medical Examiners and is a Diplomate in both Gastroenterology and Internal Medicine with the American Board of Internal Medicine.

Dr. Verne is a member of the American Gastroenterological Association, the American Pain Society, and the American Motility Society and is Journal Reviewer for American Journal of Gastroenterology, Digestive Diseases and Sciences, and Gastroenterology.

William C. Mann, PhD

Dr. Mann is Professor and Chairman, Department of Occupational Therapy, College of Health Professions, at the University of Florida and Director of the PhD Program in Rehabilitation Science. He also serves as the Director of the Center for Assistive Technology, Principal Investigator for the Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center on Aging and is Adjunct Faculty for the School of Nursing and Department of Rehabilitation Medicine.

Dr. Mann was awarded a BS from Rutgers University in 1969 and an MS in Occupational Therapy in 1972 from Virginia Commonwealth University, earning his PhD in Higher Education in 1977 from the University at Buffalo.

Dr. Mann is a member of the National Association of Rehabilitation Nurses, International Federation on Aging, American Occupational Therapy Association, World Federation of Occupational Therapists, RESNA - Society for Advancement of Rehabilitation and Assistive Technology, Gerontological Society of America, Human Factors Society, American Geriatrics Society and the American Society on Aging.

George Marion Hope, MD

Dr. Hope is Associate Research Scientist with the College of Medicine's Department of Ophthalmology at the University of Florida, Associate Director of the Center for Vision Science, Director of Networking and Computing Resources with the Department of Ophthalmology, and Director of Low Vision Service, Eye Clinic, as well as Investigator in the Visual Sciences Laboratory. Dr. Mann also participates in the Residency Training Program and the Ophthalmic Technician Training Program at the University of Florida.

Dr. Mann earned his BA in Mathematics in 1965 from Mercer University, his MA in Education in 1967 from the University of Florida, and was awarded his PhD in Neuroscience from the University of Florida in 1971. He did postdoctoral resident training at Washington University, 1970-1972.

Dr. Mann is a member of Sigma Xi National Research Society of North America, the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, and the American Association for the Advancement of Science. He is also an associate member of the Center for Neurobiological Sciences at the University of Florida.

George J. Caranasos, MD

Dr. Caranasos is presently Director of the Geriatric Education Center and Ruth S. Jewett Professor of Medicine in Geriatrics, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL. In addition, he served until recently as Chief of the Internal Medicine Division, College of Medicine for 23 years.

Dr. Caranasos earned his MD at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD; completed his internship and served as Assistant Resident on the Osler Medical Services, Johns Hopkins Hospital; and was Research Associate at the Johns Hopkins University for Medical Research and Training. He served as Chief Resident, Department of Medicine, Shands Teaching Hospital, University of Florida and Gainesville Veterans Affairs Hospital, Gainesville, FL, and was a Fellow, Psychosomatic Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, University of Florida. Dr. Caranasos is a Diplomate with the American Board of Internal Medicine and holds a Certificate of Added Qualifications in Geriatric Medicine.

He is a Fellow of the American College of Physicians, member of the Society of General Internal Medicine, the Southern Medical Association, the Florida Medical Association, the Johns Hopkins Medical and Surgical Association, the American Geriatrics Society, the Gerontological Society of America, and the National Council on Aging and is on the Board of Directors of the Florida Council on Aging.

Paul L. Doering, MS

Mr. Doering currently holds the position of Distinguished Service Professor of Pharmacy Practice and Co-Director of the Drug Information and Pharmacy Resource Center, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida. He is licensed as a Registered Pharmacist in the states of Florida and North Carolina and as a Consultant Pharmacist in the state of Florida.

Mr. Doering received his BS in Pharmacy from the University of Florida in 1972, his certificate for Residency in Clinical Pharmacy from Shands Teaching Hospital in 1974 and his MS in Clinical Pharmacy in 1975.

Mr. Doering is a member of the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy, the American Pharmaceutical Association, the American Society of Hospital Pharmacists, the Florida Pharmacy Association, the Florida Society of Hospital Pharmacists, the Alachua County Association of Pharmacists, the North Central Florida Society of Hospital Pharmacists, past member of the Board of Directors of Corner Drugstore, Inc., member of the Athletic Drug Testing Committee for the University of Florida Athletic Association, member of the Formulary Committee for the Florida Department of Health/Department of Children and Families, and Consultant for the State of Florida's Department of Professional Regulation.

Parker Small, MD

Dr. Small is Professor in the Department of Pathology, Immunology and Laboratory Medicine and Professor, Department of Pediatrics, University of Florida, as well as Director of the University of Florida Center for Cooperative Learning for Health and Science Education. He also serves on the Evaluation/Instruction and Curriculum Committees for the College of Medicine, University of Florida. In addition, Dr. Small has served as a consultant to numerous notable organizations, such as the National Institutes of Health, the World Health Organization and the National Academy of Sciences. Dr. Small has conducted extensive research in the area of influenza and vaccination and is widely published.

Dr. Small earned a BS Extra Ordinem from Tufts University and his MD from the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine in 1957.

Dr. Small is a member of the Federation of American Scientists, the American Association of Immunologists, the American Association for Advancement of Science, the Alachua County Medical Society, the American Medical Association, the National Association of Biology Teachers, the National Science Teachers Association, and Physicians for Social Responsibility.

George J. Caranasos, MD

Dr. Caranasos is presently Director of the Geriatric Education Center and Ruth S. Jewett Professor of Medicine in Geriatrics, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL. In addition, he served until recently as Chief of the Internal Medicine Division, College of Medicine for 23 years.

Dr. Caranasos earned his MD at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD; completed his internship and served as Assistant Resident on the Osler Medical Services, Johns Hopkins Hospital; and was Research Associate at the Johns Hopkins University for Medical Research and Training. He served as Chief Resident, Department of Medicine, Shands Teaching Hospital, University of Florida and Gainesville Veterans Affairs Hospital, Gainesville, FL, and was a Fellow, Psychosomatic Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, University of Florida. Dr. Caranasos is a Diplomate with the American Board of Internal Medicine and holds a Certificate of Added Qualifications in Geriatric Medicine.

He is a Fellow of the American College of Physicians, member of the Society of General Internal Medicine, the Southern Medical Association, the Florida Medical Association, the Johns Hopkins Medical and Surgical Association, the American Geriatrics Society, the Gerontological Society of America, and the National Council on Aging and is on the Board of Directors of the Florida Council on Aging.

Melvin Greer, MD

Dr. Greer serves as the Bob Paul Family Professor of Neurology, an endowed professorship and as Professor of Neurology, Professor of Psychiatry and Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Florida, as well as past Chairman of the Department of Neurology, University of Florida. He currently serves as Faculty for Special Courses for the American Academy of Neurology, is an Assistant Examiner for the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, and is on the Editorial and Publication Committee of the American Academy of Neurology. He is certified by the American Board of Pediatrics, the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, and the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, with special competence in child Neurology

Dr. Greer graduated Magna Cum Laude (with honors) with a BA from the College of Arts and Pure Science, New York University, in 1950 and received his MD in 1954 from New York University. He served his internship and residency from 1954 to 1956 at Bellevue Hospital in NY and was a Fellow in Neurology at the New York Neurological Institute of the Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center.

Dr. Greer is a Special Consultant to the Director of the National Institutes of Health and to the AMA Residency Review Committee, a Consultant with the Florida Division of Corrections, AMA committee on Veterans Administration, and the National Vaccine Advisory Commission of the American Academy of Neurology. He is a Fellow with the American Academy of Neurology and the American Academy of Pediatrics. He is a member of the American Epilepsy Society, the American Federation of Clinical Research, the American Neurological Association, the Association for Research in Nervous and Mental Diseases, the Child Neurology Society, the Florida Pediatric Society, the Florida Medical Association, the Florida Society of Neurology and Society for Pediatric Research, the Southern Society for Pediatric Research and the Society for Experimental Neuropathy.

Steven E. Nadeau, MD

Dr. Nadeau presently serves as the Staff Neurologist with the Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center (GRECC), Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, and Professor of Neurology, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida. In addition, he is a Consultant for the State of Florida Agency for Health Care Administration, Stroke Medical/Surgical Guideline Committee. Dr. Nadeau also is a member of the Faculty Council, University of Florida College of Medicine; Clerkship director, Department of Neurology, University of Florida College of Medicine; Third Year Curriculum Committee, University of Florida College of Medicine; Quality Control Committee, Gainesville VA Medical Center; and the University of Florida Brain Institute Internal Faculty Advisory Board.

In 1970 Dr. Nadeau earned his Bachelor of Science degree in both Chemical Physics and Political Science from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). In 1971 he graduated from Temple University Graduate School of Education, then completed pre-med curriculum at the University of Florida in 1972. He earned an MD, with honors, from the University of Florida College of Medicine in 1977, then served his Internship and Residency in Neurology before being appointed Chief Resident in Neurology in 1980. In 1981-82 Dr. Nadeau was a Research Fellow in Behavioral Neurology at the Shands Teaching Hospital Department of Neurology, Gainesville, FL.

Dr. Nadeau is a member of the American Academy of Neurology, the Alachua County Medical Society, the Florida medical Association, the Behavioral Neurology Society, the Center for Neuropsychological Studies, the International Neuropsychological Society and the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

William J. Triggs, MD

Dr. Triggs is Associate Professor of Neurology, Associate Professor of Psychiatry, Co-Director of the Neuromuscular Physiology Laboratory, and Co-Director of the Neuromuscular Clinic and EMG Laboratory. He is certified by the National Board of Medical Examiners, the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, the American Board of Electrodiagnostic Medicine, the American Society of Neurorehabilitation and the Florida Division of Workers' Compensation. He holds licenses in the states of Florida, Massachusetts and Texas.

Dr. Triggs received his BS from the University of Florida in 1983 and his MD from the University of Florida College of Medicine in 1986. He served his internship at Shands Hospital at the University of Florida from 1986-1987. He served his residency in Neurology (1987-1989) and was Chief Resident in Neurology (1989-1990) at the University of Texas Health Science Center. He was a Fellow in Clinical Electromyography at Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard University from 1990-1991 and Fellow in Neurorehabilitation and Neurophysiology at the Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Harvard University, 1991-1992.

Dr. Triggs is a member of the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Neurology, the American Association of Electrodiagnostic Medicine, the Texas Medical Foundation, the Massachusetts Medical Society, the American Academy of Clinical Neurophysiology, the Society for Neuroscience, and the American Society of Neurorehabilitation.

N. Lawrence Edwards, MD

Dr. Edwards is Professor of Medicine in the Department of Medicine's Division of Clinical Immunology and Clinical Chief of the Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology at the University of Florida. He serves as Chief of the Rheumatology Section at the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Gainesville, FL. He also is a member of the Clinical Research Center (CRC) Advisory Committee and the University of Florida, as well as the Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee and the Medical Service Executive Committee at the VA Medical Center.

Dr. Edwards received his BS in 1969 from the University of Notre Dame and his MD from the University of Miami School of Medicine in 1973. He then served his internship at Creighton University Affiliated Hospitals and was Research Fellow in Rackham Arthritis Research Unit and Clinical Research Center at the University of Michigan Medical Center from 1976-1979.

Dr. Edwards is a member of the American Rheumatism Association, the American Federation for Clinical Research, the Central Society for Clinical Research, the Heberden Society, the British Society for Rheumatology, the Society of Irish and American Rheumatologists, the National Society of Clinical Rheumatologists, and Fellow of the American College of Physicians.

George J. Caranasos, MD

Dr. Caranasos is presently Director of the Geriatric Education Center and Ruth S. Jewett Professor of Medicine in Geriatrics, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL. In addition, he served until recently as Chief of the Internal Medicine Division, College of Medicine for 23 years.

Dr. Caranasos earned his MD at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD; completed his internship and served as Assistant Resident on the Osler Medical Services, Johns Hopkins Hospital; and was Research Associate at the Johns Hopkins University for Medical Research and Training. He served as Chief Resident, Department of Medicine, Shands Teaching Hospital, University of Florida and Gainesville Veterans Affairs Hospital, Gainesville, FL, and was a Fellow, Psychosomatic Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, University of Florida. Dr. Caranasos is a Diplomate with the American Board of Internal Medicine and holds a Certificate of Added Qualifications in Geriatric Medicine.

He is a Fellow of the American College of Physicians, and member of the Society of General Internal Medicine, the Southern Medical Association, the Florida Medical Association, the Johns Hopkins Medical and Surgical Association, the American Geriatrics Society, the Gerontological Society of America, and the National Council on Aging and is on the Board of Directors of the Florida Council on Aging.

Laurence Kennedy, MD

Dr. Kennedy is Interim Chief and Associate Professor, Endocrine Division, College of Medicine, and Director of Internal Medicine with the Diabetes Center of Excellence, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL. Prior to joining UF, he served as Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Medicine at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC.

Dr. Kennedy received his MD at the Queen's University in Belfast, Ireland. He also has conducted research studies in the areas of endocrinology and diabetes, as well as clinical trials of various treatments and medications, and has authored numerous publications on this research.

He is a member of the Medical and Scientific Section of the British Diabetic Association, the Irish Endocrine Society, the European Association for the Study of Diabetes, the Endocrine Society, the Society for Endocrinology, the American Diabetes Association, and elected member of the Association of Physicians of Great Britain and Ireland.

Moderator

R. Paul Duncan, PhD

Dr. Duncan currently serves as the Louis C. and Jane Gapenski Professor of Health Services Administration and Professor of Sociology with the University of Florida, and as Director of the PhD Program in Health Services Research, Department of Health Services Administration at the University of Florida. Dr. Duncan also serves on the University of Florida Geriatric Education Center Coordinating Committee, as well as the Selection Committee, Dissertation Award, Academy for Health Services Research and Health Policy, 2001. Dr. Duncan also does extensive consulting work with numerous healthcare organizations and serves actively as an article reviewer and research proposal reviewer.

Dr. Duncan earned his BA (with Honors) from Queen's University in 1971, his MS in 1973 from Purdue University and his PhD in 1974 from Purdue University, all in Sociology.

Dr. Duncan is a member of the Academy for Health Services Research and Health Policy, the Association of University Programs in Health Administration, American Public Health Association, American and International Associates for Dental Research, Behavioral Science and Health Services Research, Florida Public Health Association, Florida Rural Health Association, and the National Rural Health Association.

Mrs. D is an 81-year old bi-racial woman who has been widowed for approximately 30 years, has not remarried and has no children. Her husband, who was white, was a diplomat and they lived in many countries, including France, Mexico, Martinique, Haiti and Costa Rica.

Mrs. D is quite accomplished herself. She holds a BS in Nursing, as well as a Master's Degree in Latin American History. She taught Anatomy, Physiology and Comparative Anatomy at university. She also served with the College of Medicine as part of the original faculty research team that set up the unit for autistic children at a large, well-known research and teaching hospital.

Five years ago, Mrs. D adopted a mentally-challenged black child with serious emotional problems and, with others, plans to lobby for better care and education of children in her adopted daughter's condition. This has been a mentally and physically challenging, but rewarding, experience for her.

With good budgeting, she is financially secure and has private health insurance with which she is pleased. Mrs. D is medically treated for coronary artery disease and myelo displasia. Daily, she takes a multiple vitamin supplement, Vitamin E, Vitamins B₆ and B₁₂ and Folic Acid, plus daily dosages of Procardia, for her heart, and Hydroxyurea for her bone marrow anemia. She also has a weekly injection to promote production of red blood cells and requires occasional blood transfusions.

Mrs. D is a member of a local church and attends a weekly prayer meeting at another church. Her faith is very important to her. She belongs to several different women's clubs and is actively involved in volunteer and charitable work. Although she no longer drives as a result of a physical ailment, she travels by train or bus to several states to visit family. She is very active both physically and mentally and although for medical reasons she can no longer exercise at a gym, she walks for exercise. She has a wonderful sense of humor and love of life.

Mr. K is a 67 year-old black man who grew up in Philadelphia, lived for 36 years in New Jersey, and settled in Florida in 1989. Mr. K has been married to his second wife for 9 years -- his first marriage of 34 years ended in divorce. Mr. K has 2 children by his first wife, 8 grandchildren, and 5 stepdaughters from his second wife.

Mr. K graduated from high school and had 1 1/2 years of technical school. Following high school he went directly into the Air Force where he was a radio operator -- he traveled extensively with the Air Force Air Show. After the service, Mr. K worked with the Post Office as a finance clerk and retired after 36 years. About 6 months after retiring, Mr. K found he was somewhat bored and took a job managing a 7-Eleven and waiting tables. Seven years ago he joined a large well-known research and teaching hospital as a security officer. He very much enjoys his job.

Mr. K has private health insurance and prescription coverage, plus Medicare and has been pleased with the service he has received from both. In addition to his and his wife's social security, Mr. K has a comfortable pension from the Post Office. He considers himself to be financially secure and would not be financially burdened were he to decide to stop working. However, he feels he will continue to work and be active until he simply cannot any more.

Mr. K has been unusually healthy all of his life with the exception of a Myocardial Infarction suffered in 1989. He returned to work shortly after the heart attack and has had no further problems with his heart. Other than having his appendix removed when he was young and a bout with bladder stones, Mr. K's only significant health issue besides the MI was hyperthyroidism which was successfully treated with radiation. He has well-controlled high blood pressure and very slight arthritis in his hands. Mr. K only mentioned his high blood pressure when questioned about it. Mr. K smokes about a pack of cigarettes a day and is a moderate drinker.

Mr. K takes daily dosages of Lopressor, Zestril, Synthroid and Lipitor. In addition he takes a multiple vitamin plus extra dosages of Vitamin E, Vitamin C, Vitamin B₁₂ and Folic Acid.

Mr. K's hobbies include reading, book collecting and jazz. He attends church regularly and performs with two church choirs. He is also actively involved in his neighborhood improvement association. Mr. K is very gregarious and outgoing and has a great sense of humor.

Mrs. DD, an 82-year old Caucasian woman, was widowed by her second husband about two years ago after 32 years of what she calls, "the marriage of her life." She and her first husband divorced after their two children were grown and out of college, and she met her second husband a short time after her divorce. One of the defining events in Mrs. DD's life was the loss of her son to melanoma after his graduation from college. The melanoma went undiagnosed while he was in India with the Peace Corps, and when he returned, it was too late. After almost 30 years, she still weeps at the loss.

Mrs. DD has a BA and MA in English and was Dean of Women at the Women's College of Tulane University for 15 years, where she also taught English. Mrs. DD had lived in New Orleans her first 50 years. During her married years in New Orleans, she was very active in volunteer work. After her second marriage and move north, she became active in local garden clubs and with "Friends of the Library," which she has been involved with in every community she has lived in since. She was also active in church until her husband's death. However, her Christian Scientist upbringing left her somewhat scarred since both of her parents died at early ages from conditions that could have been either prevented or resolved with prompt and proper medical attention. She is no longer active in church.

Mrs. DD's beloved second husband suffered a serious stroke three years before his death and Mrs. DD served as his caretaker. After his death, she moved out-of-state and now lives with her daughter and son-in-law, who are building a "Granny" house for her on their property. She's very much looking forward to her own place.

Mr. DD planned well for Mrs. DD's future and she is financially secure. She has private insurance in addition to Medicare and is pleased with the service she receives. From a health standpoint, Mrs. DD has been very fortunate. Other than a bout with tuberculosis when she was 20, a case of Shingles long ago, and two cataract surgeries in the last two years, she has been unusually healthy. She experiences only slight, intermittent arthritis in her knees after long hours on her feet. She watches her diet pretty closely to keep her weight at a manageable level, and walks regularly for 30 minutes each day.

Daily she takes a multivitamin, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, lysine, calcium, Vitamin B complex, 1/4 aspirin and Actonel for normal age-related osteoporosis. Mrs. DD is both physically and mentally active and looks and acts 15 years younger than she is. She drives daily -- two mornings a week she volunteers at Hospice, two mornings a week at the local hospital, and most afternoons she tutors children from low income families at the Boys'/Girls' Club. She also produces a newsletter for the hospital auxiliary. She enjoys travel and toured Tuscany with a group of friends. In addition, Mrs. DD starred, on a volunteer basis, in a videotape produced this year by the GEC. She has a dry wit and vivaciousness that makes her a pleasure to be around.

Bill is 70 years old, white, and has been married for 46 years. He and his wife have three grown children, five granddaughters and one great granddaughter. They have lived most of their adult life in the same home in the same small, rural town in North Central Florida. Bill's wife is a retired hospital unit clerk.

Bill did not complete high school and at a fairly young age started work running very large industrial cranes and, later, supervising some projects. He retired on disability after over 40 years. Throughout his career, Bill was unknowingly exposed to asbestos dust created from the huge crane brake bands. He and his family are part of the asbestos class-action suit. He also served in the Marine Corps during the Korean War and was with the reserves for 16 years.

Bill and his wife attend church regularly and are active in the senior meetings there. Their faith is very important to him, and Bill feels strongly that if it weren't for his wife and their faith, he "wouldn't be around today." He has had very serious health problems in his lifetime and has worked hard to overcome them.

In 1977 Bill lost most of his left lung to lung cancer. By that time he was smoking two packs of cigarettes a day and had developed a heavy drinking problem. When his cancer was diagnosed, he immediately stopped smoking and drinking and has done neither since. In 1989 he developed an aortic aneurysm in the heart which was repaired with synthetic artery. At the same time his surgical team performed a kidney bypass on him. He has since developed an abdominal aortic aneurysm for which he has a CT scan each year. In 1998, Bill was diagnosed with prostrate cancer -- his surgery and treatment for that have been successful.

Bill added as an afterthought that he also has some arthritis and has had basal cell cancers removed from his neck and nose. Although he gets an influenza shot each year, when he does get the flu, it hits him hard and takes many months for him to recover. Bill also suffers from occasional depression.

Bill feels they are somewhat financially secure -- he receives social security, has a union pension, and his wife's pension. Bill has no private insurance, only Medicare, but he has been extremely pleased with the service and assistance from Medicare.

Each day, Bill takes two Advil for his arthritis, one Lipitor, 1/2 Lopressor, one aspirin, and an occasional Valium; he does not take vitamins or supplements. He has oxygen available to him at home for use when his breathing becomes labored.

For recreation, Bill's passion is bass fishing and he spends as much time as he can in his bass boat. Although he has no regular exercise routine, he feel he gets plenty of exercise taking care of their 15 acres himself. His other enjoyment, he said, is spending time with his wife. Bill has a good attitude and is thankful that in spite of his many serious health crises, he is still strong and able to enjoy his life so fully.

Mr. and Mrs. G have been married for 59 years -- both are white; he is 81 and she is 79. They have a son, a daughter and two grandchildren. Their son and daughter-in-law live in Sarasota, FL and their daughter and her family live in the Orlando area. Both Mr. and Mrs. G are Florida natives -- Mr. G's family traces its Gainesville roots back to 1840. They have lived in the same house since 1963.

Mr. G. earned a BS and MS in Agriculture. After teaching school and working as a county agricultural extension agent for a period of time, he volunteered for the US Navy during WWII (even though he was exempt) and served two years as a message decoder. He then went to work as an extension agent for the railroad and retired after 30 years. At one point in his career with the railroad, he worked for seven years in Jacksonville, FL, commuting home to his family only on weekends. Mr. G was an active member with Kiwanis, serving in all offices throughout his 30 years of perfect attendance.

As well as being a devoted wife and mother, Mrs. G worked as a secretary/bookkeeper over the years, retiring as a personnel assistant after 19 years from Santa Fe Community College -- a total of 29 years with the State of Florida. Faith is very important to both Mr. and Mrs. G -- they attend church every Sunday and Bible study on Wednesday morning. Mr. G was an Elder in the Presbyterian Church for many years. Mrs. G has a morning devotional every day. After Bible study on Wednesday mornings, Mr. and Mrs. G visit his niece who has been a resident in a nursing home in a nearby town since a serious stroke several years ago.

Mr. and Mrs. G are both very physically and mentally active. In addition to their church activities, they go to the fitness center three days a week, leaving home at 5:45 a.m. and returning at 7:00. Mr. G. also plays golf every month and takes care of their exceptionally well manicured yard. Twice a year, they even wax their cars themselves. Both Mr. and Mrs. G drive, however since he always drives when they travel together, he does quite a bit more driving than Mrs. G.

Mr. and Mrs. G consider themselves very financially secure. In addition to Mr. G's social security and railroad pension, they have Mrs. G's state pension. They also saved and invested well. They have private insurance through the railroad with a very low co-payment for both health care and prescriptions, and they have had no problems at all with their provider.

Mr. G has suffered from very high, chronic high blood pressure since his 30's; Mrs. G. has only mild age-related high blood pressure. Each of them has slight arthritis, but this was mentioned only as an afterthought. Both have cataracts -- Mr. G. has recently had his second cataract surgery and, except for some retinal swelling, the surgery went well. Mrs. G. has had cataract surgery on both eyes. They are both pleased with the results of their surgeries. Mrs. G has GERD, but it is well-controlled with medication, and late-onset, non-insulin dependent Diabetes. Neither Mr. nor Mrs. G drink alcohol or smoke.

Of concern to both of them is Mr. G's recently enlarged prostrate and rising PSA despite antibiotic treatment. He will have a prostrate biopsy done next week.

Mr. G's medications include daily dosages of Procardia, Prinzide (Prinivil and hydraclorazine), Cardura, Proscar and Zocor. Mrs. G takes Prinivil, Premarin, Niaspan and Pepcid. Daily they each take a multiple vitamin, Vitamin E, Vitamin C, Calcium, and a baby aspirin. They eat a lot of fruits and vegetables.

Mr. and Mrs. G are a quiet couple with sweet, gentle, serene demeanors. They always have a positive attitude and outlook, even in the face of Mr. G's upcoming prostate biopsy.