John Kramer

VIEW VIDEO TRIBUTE John D. Kramer MD age 77 died March 26 2006. Preceded in death by sister and brother in law Molly and John Zeigler (Chicago) and brother James D. Kramer MD (Wausau) he is survived by Joan his beloved wife of 45 years; 7 children: Margaret Taylor (Patrick)-Atlanta GA Jim (Mary)-Pocatello ID Devitt (Julia)-Pittsburgh PA Molly Scantling MD (David)-Akron OH Karen Beringer (Don)-Macon GA Michael-New York NY and Ellen Seder (Scott)-Chicago IL; sister-in-law Marilyn M. Kramer (Wausau); and 21 grandchildren. Dr. Kramer was born and raised in Akron. He graduated 1945 from Western Reserve Academy 1948 Univ. of Notre Dame (#1 in the College of Science) and 1952 Univ. Penn. Med School (AOA). After internship pediatric residency and cardiology fellowship at University Hospitals in Cincinnati and Case WRU plus 2 years as a pediatrician in the US Air Force (Far East Command) he joined his father James G. Kramer MD Akron's 1st pediatrician in 1958 for 3 years of general and consultative pediatrics. After further cardiology training at Indiana Univ. Medical Center he again returned to Akron in 1962 this time to stay. He had a very active career in pediatric cardiology pediatric education and community service via intimate involvement with Children's Hospital NEOCOM and Summit County Children's Services. As Akron's first pediatric subspecialist Dr. Kramer played a major role in recruiting other subspecialists. He was Ohio's 4th pediatric cardiologist and under the Bureau for Children with Medical Handicaps established cardiac clinics in Cambridge Dover Lisbon Mansfield Norwalk and Steubenville. At Children's Hospital he established the cardiac cath lab (introducing to Ohio percutaneous technique) the pediatric internship and the combined pediatric/internal medicine residency (the pediatric residency was started by his father in 1927) and served many years not only as Director Cardiology but also as Director Pediatric Education Residency Program Director Medical Education Committee Chairman and Director Continuing Education. He was a state CME site surveyor and member of the OSMA Medical Accreditation Committee including 6 years as Chairman. Dr. Kramer's involvement with NEOUCOM dates back to its conception (his was the first clinical faculty appointment). He was Charter Chairman Pediatrics (1974-1981) Charter Pediatric Clerkship Director (1975-1991) Associate Dean for Clinical Education (1981-1996) and Professor of Pediatrics. The classes of 1984 and 1986 selected him as their ''Hooder and he was the recipient of the 1991 Dean's Award and the 1996 Liebelt -Wheeler Award. His relationship with CSB began in 1958 and lasted 45 years. He served many years as Medical Director and Attending Pediatrician to the Children's Home Clinic. In 1986 and again in 2003 CSB honored him with awards of appreciation ''for many years of dedication and devotion in providing quality medical care to the abused and neglected children of Summit County''. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 9:30 AM Thursday March 30 2006 at St. Hilary Church where the funeral procession will form. Interment in Calvary Cemetery. Calling hours will be Wednesday from 3 to 8 PM at Hummel Funeral Home 500 E. Exchange St. For those who wish memorials may be made to the John D. Kramer MD Pediatric Education Fund at Children's Hospital Medical Center of Akron or the charity of their choice.