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HAMMONTON - Dr. William Zwiebel, the longtime face of Kessler Memorial Hospital, died early Monday.

The 60-year-old Ocean City resident and medical director of AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center's Satellite Emergency Department, Kessler Campus, died at about 1:30 a.m. Monday at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia after suffering a ruptured aorta, according to Police Chief Frank Ingemi.

"This community has lost an icon," said Ingemi, a longtime friend of Zwiebel's. "You cannot put into words what Dr. Zwiebel has meant to this community."

Zwiebel - who leaves behind a wife, Nancy, and two sets of adult twins - started at William B. Kessler Memorial Hospital in 1984 and quickly became a well-respected figure in the community.

"Next to the word 'care' in the dictionary, they should really put a picture of him," said Francis 'Butch' Gazzara, Kessler's clinical manager, who worked with Zwiebel for more than 20 years. "He had a phenomenal sense of humor that poured over into to the quality care he gave."

AtlantiCare President Donald J. Parker said Zwiebel had the sense of humor of Capt. "Trapper" John McIntyre from "M*A*S*H" and the diagnostic talents of Dr. Gregory House from the popular TV drama "House."

"He was without a doubt the face of Kessler hospital. In fact, more people probably associated Dr. Zwiebel with that hospital than William B. Kessler himself," said Parker, adding that Zwiebel once saved his life after he had gone into anaphylactic shock.

Zwiebel was also praised for his role in keeping the financially strapped Kessler operational under "deplorable" working conditions, in terms of sanitation and available supplies, during the hospital's final months.

"I was asked how we were able to work under such pitiful conditions," Zwiebel told The Press of Atlantic City on March 23. "I said, 'On a wing and a prayer.'"

After Kessler Memorial Hospital closed March 12, Parker said, Zwiebel played a major role in bringing AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center's satellite emergency department to the facility so the community would not be without an emergency room.

Shortly after AtlantiCare's operations at Kessler began, AtlantiCare officials deemed it appropriate to put Zwiebel's face on billboards to promote it.

Parker said the billboards with Zwiebel's picture will remain up, but that a George Bernard Shaw quote will soon be added to them in his memory.

It will read: "I am of the opinion that my life belongs to the community, and as long as I live it is my privilege to do for it whatever I can."

A public viewing for Zwiebel will take place from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Friday at the First Presbyterian Church on the corner of Seventh Street and Wesley Avenue in Ocean City.

E-mail Robert Spahr:

RSpahr@pressofac.com

4 comments:

• kellenbark (1) posts 7:22 pm

  Dr Zwiebel saved my life in 2006. My husband Harry and I will be forever greatful. I set up a small memorial at the front of Kessler, for people to pray leave flowers. He will be deapley missed by the hammonton community. Our condolences to his family.

• UPPERFIRST (156) posts 12:15 pm

  How sad that a man who valued his profession and his family more than material goods dies - he had many good years left. There are not many doctors around with his concern and compassion. He was about the patient, not making the bucks ( which I'm sure he could have if he wanted to go to the Mega Hospital )

• KeleeG (1) posts 10:13 am

  My husband and I wish to extend our deepest sympathies to Dr. Zwiebel's family. He will be greatly missed and never forgotten. Doc Z always had a way of making the trip to the ER not only less painful and aggravating, he also managed to make it almost enjoyable. His bedside manner and sense of humor truly made a difference. Combine that with his medical ethic and you have one hell of a doctor! Rest in Peace Doc!

• larrnette (2) posts 7:16 am

  First of I want to send my deepest sympothies to his wife and children. I am honestly devastated by this news, this man was great he has really helped me and my family, he saved my life in Jan of 2008, if it wasn't for him and his thorough work I would not be here. He will be deeply missed by my family and I know the entire community, he was Kessler hospital. He didn't make you feel as if you were his patient but a friend. He will never be forgotten. This is a very sad day and again I am so so sorry for your loss to the Zwieble family, he was and will always be an awesome, kind, and caring doctor and man. God Bless

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