Robert E. Fuisz, M.D.

Robert E. Fuisz, M.D., 82, Pioneer in Medical Communications and Acclaimed Television Producer Dies

Robert E. Fuisz, M.D., 82, of New York, NY and Bethlehem, PA died peacefully on June 4, 2017. He was the son of the late Anton and Margaret Fuisz, and is survived by his wife of more than 41 years, Beverly Howie Fuisz.

Dr. Fuisz graduated from Bethlehem Catholic High School, Georgetown University (Cum Laude), and the Georgetown University School of Medicine (Magna Cum Laude). Following medical school, Dr. Fuisz completed his internship and residency at the Peter Bent Brigham Hospital in Boston, MA, a part of the Harvard Medical System. Dr. Fuisz specialized in the field of Endocrinology and published numerous scientific articles dealing with human fluid and electrolyte metabolism. His research contributions on the subject of human sodium metabolism and renal gluconeogenesis were widely quoted in medical literature.

While a resident at the Brigham, Dr. Fuisz founded MEDCOM, INC., a medical communications firm, and left the practice of medicine to run his company. MEDCOM was a pioneer in the use of multimedia communications techniques in the dissemination of high technology medical information to physicians, nurses, and allied health professionals. MEDCOM learning systems were used worldwide and subsequently spawned a variety of companies creating a new segment in the medical information publishing industry. At the time of its sale to a Fortune 500 company, MEDCOM was the largest company of its kind in the world.

Dr. Fuisz was also a critically acclaimed television producer, known for such groundbreaking programming as The Body Human series for CBS, the Lifeline series for NBC, and a version of Charles Dickens A Christmas Carol starring George C. Scott. Among other accolades, Dr. Fuisz was a recipient of the George Foster Peabody Award, the Emmy Award (six-time recipient), the Christopher Award (three-time recipient), and the Writers Guild of America Award (two-time recipient).

Dr. Fuisz, the first in his family to attend college, was devoted to Georgetown University. He was a co-benefactor of the Anton and Margaret Fuisz Professor of Medicine Chair at the Georgetown University Medical Center, served three terms on the Board of Regents of Georgetown University, and was an avid fan of his beloved Hoyas Mens Basketball Team.

In his younger years, Dr. Fuisz was a passionate aviator, and completion of his Instrument Flight Rating was one of his fondest achievements.

Though his professional accomplishments were many, Dr. Fuisz was most proud to be a loving son, husband and father. He will be dearly missed by his wife, Beverly, his three children (Jeffrey, Jonathan and Juliet) and three grandchildren (Oliver, Sydney and Pepper).

The family will receive guests from 6-8 p.m. on Monday, June 12, 2017 at Connell Funeral Home, 245 E. Broad Street, Bethlehem, PA 18018. Additional services will be held at the convenience of the family.

In lieu of flowers, we ask you to consider a donation to a Georgetown University scholarship program which assists students from under-resourced backgrounds, many of whom are the first in their families to attend college. This was a cause near and dear to Bob's heart as he too was the first member of his family to attend college. We know he would love to continue helping students have the same life-changing opportunity.

Here's instructions on how to contribute to this particular scholarship:

1. Click here >> https://securelb.imodules.com/s/1686/alumni/giving.aspx?sid=1686&gid=4&pgid=476&cid=1175&dids=29.8.31.76.50.74&bledit=1&sort=1&appealcode=ogf161

2. In the "Other Designation" box, type in "Opportunity Scholarship Fund"

3. Click the "In Memory Of" tab below and type in "Robert E. Fuisz"

Visitation
Monday, June 12, 2017
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
The Connell Funeral Home
245 E. Broad St.
Bethlehem PA 18018
US
610-868-8531

Funeral HomeConnell Funeral Home, Inc.
245 East Broad St.
Bethlehem PA - 18018
US
610-868-8531