Gerecht's service keeps AIDS Project of the Ozarks running

When talking to people associated with Dr. Wolfe B. Gerecht, their admiration and respect is evident.

"He keeps us afloat," said Beth Bentley, clinical coordinator for AIDS Project of the Ozarks. "We couldn't do it without him. There is no way."

Gerecht is one of four recipients of the 2002 Salute to Health Care award. He was nominated by Dennis C. Walker.

In his nomination, Walker wrote: "(Gerecht) is passionate about his science and the good it can do."

Gerecht, who has his own practice at Ferrell-Duncan Clinic, is modest about his achievements.

"There are many deserving people, some I think more than me," he said.

Those who know him don't think so.

"He's a gigantic help because he knows infectious diseases and in particular (human immunodeficiency virus). Any problems that come up, even if it's something that isn't clinically oriented, we go to him and he will find the answer. He is a wealth of knowledge. He's a miracle man," Bentley said.

"Plus, he's compassionate. You see him with the patients. You very rarely ever see a physician who gets emotionally involved. He truly cares. He is a physician that when someone is really sick, when someone is really having troubles, this man goes back to his desk and cries. He gets that involved, especially if there are children involved."

The AIDS Project, located at 1901 E. Bennett St., Ste. D, is a not-for-profit center that offers clients help with paperwork, in addition to running a full clinic on Wednesdays and everyother Tuesday. The AIDS Project received a Salute to Health Care award in 2001.

"We have two exam rooms and he has his nurse with him, and we run (patients) through," Bentley said. "They get lab work here and they get the full medical spectrum. And he's the guy in charge. He's the dude that makes it happen. "

Bentley admires Gerecht's dedication to AIDS Project of the Ozarks.

"You know a lot of doctors aren't going to sign up for that because there's not much money," Bentley said. "You're dealing with a population that's very poor, for the most part. So it's not one of those things you get in to get rich. He's doing it for a whole different reason. I love that about him."

Encouraged by Dr. Robert E. Kipfer, a gastroenterologist at Ferrell-Duncan Clinic, Gerecht came to Springfield in 1986.

Born and raised in Kansas City, Gerecht and his wife, Susan, had considered moving back to Missouri after he completed his residency and fellowship at the Mayo Clinic.

"Kipfer sold me on the idea of coming to Springfield. It was an opportunity to develop an excellent practice and a nice area to live and raise our children," Gerecht said.

Once he began practice in Springfield, he took a leading role working with HIV patients. He was later asked to join the AIDS clinic here.

"I was approached to get involved with the AIDS Project of the Ozarks in the mid-1990s," Gerecht said.

He became medical director of the facility about six years ago and now divides his time between his practice at Ferrell-Duncan and the AIDS Project clinic.

Gerecht is a member of several professional societies and committees. He has written articles and abstracts, and has given many presentations on AIDS and other infectious diseases.

Gerecht is a member of the American Society of Microbiology, the Infectious Disease Society of America and the Alpha Omega Alpha Medical society.