Title
Honoring Dr. F. William Sunderman, Sr.
Body
WHEREAS, Following a nationwide search conducted by Green Thumb, Philadelphia resident Dr. F. William Sunderman, Sr. was identified as the nation's oldest worker and was so honored by the Congress of the United States. He was born October 23, 1898 in Altoona, Pennsylvania. He attended Gettysburg College, and earned his medical degree from the University of Pennsylvania, where he also earned a master's degree and his Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Sunderman has held numerous clinical and administrative hospital appointments and varied positions in government and industry. He has served as toxicology and scientific consultant for major corporations like Rohm and Haas Company, Gulf Oil Company, Sinclair Oil Company, Atlantic Refining Company and Toa Gosei Chemical Industries, Nagoya, Japan; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Sunderman is specialty-certified by the National Board of Medical Examiners, Pennsylvania State Board of Medical Examiners, American Board of Internal Medicine, American Board of Pathology (Life Trustee) and American Board of Clinical Chemists; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Sunderman has played a significant role in medical advancements and scientific discoveries. He worked on the Manhattan Project in World War II, investigating the effects of nickel carbonyl on workers using highly toxic gas to make atomic weapons. In addition, he has held major teaching and clinical responsibilities locally at Pennsylvania Hospital where he served his residency in Medicine and Surgery, the University of Pennsylvania, Thomas Jefferson Medical University, Hahnemann University Medical School and elsewhere; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Sunderman is a physician, a pioneering scientist, teacher, photographer and clinical pathologist. He is the author of 44 books, and the editor of a medical journal he founded 30 years ago, Annals of Clinical and Laboratory Science. Moreover, he is an accomplished musician, who has played Carnegie Hall and has appeared around the world; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Sunderman is cited in Who's Who in America, in the East and in the World, American Men of Science, International Blue Book of World Notables, Informational Who's Who in Music, Men of Achievement, Directory of Medical Specialists and Directory of Internal Biography. In addition, he is the recipient of numerous prestigious medals and awards for his outstanding scientific achievements, dedicated service, including lifetime contributions to, and promotion of, nickel toxicology; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Sunderman continues to work 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m, five days a week, in his office at Pennsylvania Hospital, as editor of the medical journal he founded three decades earlier. He exercises regularly, and each evening plays the magnificent works of Mozart, Beethoven and other masters on his 17th century Stradivarius, a perfect ending to a productive day at work; now therefore
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That we proudly honor Dr. F. William Sunderman, Sr., and recognize him as the oldest working person in the United States. He is an amazingly interesting professional, whose lifelong accomplishments are phenomenal and whose personal achievements are incredible. At the age of 102, he is still energized by that same innate curiosity that has been the search engine that has kept him in overdrive.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That we shall proudly present an Engrossed copy of this resolution to Dr. Sunderman, further evidencing the sincere sentiments and highest commendation of this legislative body.
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