Thomas M. Brill MD's Obituary
Thomas M. Brill, MD, passed away peacefully at age 96 at North Florida Regional Medical Center on December 16, 2017. He was surrounded by family after a long fruitful life. A Gainesville resident since January 1949 when he opened his pediatric practice here, save for a three year absence for postgraduate work and military service (1952-55), he was the senior physician in the county in that no other physician now living preceded him.
He was born on March 8, 1921, in Muskegon, Michigan, to Abraham and Vida Mortensen Brill. The family moved to Los Angeles, CA, in 1923 and to Youngstown, Ohio, in 1925 where Dr. Brill grew up. An active youngster, he was drawn to the Boy Scouts where he became an Eagle Scout with Silver Palm. He graduated from Rayen High School there in 1938 and entered the University of Michigan that fall, earning a B.A. degree in 1942. He had entered the medical school in 1941 in what was called combined curriculum under which he could earn both degrees in seven years. He graduated with an M.D. degree in 1944 at 23 years of age.
Following a rotating internship at UM, and a nine month term as a resident at Blodgett Memorial Hospital in Grand Rapids, in 1946 he entered the Navy as a medical officer but was released from active duty after eight months (WWII ended). He returned to Ann Arbor for a residency in pediatrics.
In January 1949 the family moved to Gainesville where he entered practice as the second pediatrician to practice here, being preceded by Dr. Raymond Camp; In 1950 he was certified by The American Board of Pediatrics.
In 1952 he returned to Ann Arbor for a fellowship in Allergy and Immunology, but was interrupted by a call to active duty in the Navy for which he served during the Korean War for two years. He promptly reported to the Portsmouth Naval Hospital for duty as a ward physician, serving there for one year during which he set up an Allergy Clinic. The second year he was transferred to the Norfolk Naval Air Station, serving as a squadron physician. After completing military service Dr. Brill and family moved to Santa Monica, CA, where he practiced pediatrics and was also on the clinical staff at UCLA.
With the need of another pediatrician in Gainesville, following the sudden death of Dr. Camp, he was asked to move back by many Gainesville Physicians and friends. In 1955 he resumed Pediatric and Allergy practice and practiced medicine until the age 70. In 1970, Dr. Brill discontinued his pediatric practice to limit his work to Allergy and Immunology, being certified in this field by the American Board of Allergy and Immunology in 1972.
He loved serving the community and practicing medicine. His leadership in the community in medicine was well recognized. He was a member and past president of the Alachua County Medical Society, member and past president of the Florida Society of Pediatrics, and also member and past president of Florida Society of Allergy and Immunology. He was the first allergist in Gainesville, Florida. He was appointed by the Governor of Florida to serve a four year term on the Board of Medical Examiners of the State of Florida. He was the cofounder with other pediatricians of the “Well Baby Clinic” in his early career to take care of indigent patients free of charge. It was administered and governed by the Junior Welfare League and 18,000 children received care in its seven and a half years of operation. It subsequently became part of the general outpatient clinic of the Alachua County Health Department. He also treated any patient unable to pay.
He supported the founding of the UF College of Medicine and became a clinical professor in the Department of Pediatrics. He was a great friend and associate of Dr. Richard Smith and Dr. Gerold Schiebler, the first two chairmen of the Department of Pediatrics. He enjoyed teaching residents. Dr. George A. Dell, who was his partner for over 25 years, stated “He was the smartest doctor I have ever known and he never made a mistake in a clinical diagnosis. If I had any questions, I consulted him and he was invariably correct”.
Two very smart young boys were sons of their housekeeper, Altemese Wingate, and they graduated from Lincoln High School during segregation. With his support, they both graduated from college, and one became a teacher and the other graduated from medical school and practiced in California.
His civic contributions included belonging to Kiwanis Club. Also he was past program chairman, board member and past president of Rotary Club of Gainesville, and he was awarded a plaque for his distinguished service in Rotary when he was no longer able to attend. He stated that “Rotary was the best service organization he ever belonged to, not only by its members, but by the service that they perform”. Also in supporting the University of Florida, he was a Gator booster and past program chairman and past quarterback of the quarterback club and season ticket holder for football and basketball. Dr. Brill and his wife, Gretchen, were also supporters of the Phillips Center for the Performing Arts and Gretchen was on the board of directors. They also supported The Gainesville Community Band. He attended luncheons with two men’s groups twice weekly until his death. He will be greatly missed by many and was the oldest living physician in Alachua County. The community is grateful for his foremost leadership in medicine and to the community.
He was a founding member at Holy Faith Catholic Church and a founding member of Queen of Peace Catholic Church. He supported many of their outreach programs. The large statue in the entrance with Mary holding Jesus was given as a gift to the church.
He is survived by his wife, Gretchen Brill with 74 years of marriage. Also, he is survived by his daughter, Judy Lang Rembert, and three sons; Roger T. Brill, MD, Eric James Brill, all of Gainesville, Florida, and Robert J. Brill, MD, of Ocala, Florida. He also is blessed to have 12 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.
A private and family only graveside service will be held. In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to a charity of your choice.
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