Gerold L. Schiebler Children’s Medical Services Center

Honoree

Gerald L. Schiebler

Gerald L. Schiebler has dedicated his professional career as a Pediatrician to the health care of children – placing emphasis on the need for quality care of economically disadvantaged children. As a result of his efforts at the estate level, he earned the title “Father of Children’s Medical Services in Florida.”

After graduating from Harvard Medical School in 1954, Schiebler joined the University of Florida College of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics faculty in 1960. He held many positions in the Department, including Chief of the Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Professor and Chairman of the Department for seventeen years, Associate Vice President for health Affairs for External Relations, finally becoming Distinguished Service Professor of Pediatrics, Emeritus in 2001.

In 2004, he was given the College of medicine’s “Lifetime Achievement Award” – a signal honor.

Schiebler became best known for his work with the state Children’s Medical Services program, serving that organization in various capacities since 1971. He was statewide director from 1973 to 1974; and he was responsible for significant expansion of the program, establishing regional prenatal centers for the care of the high risk pregnant women and their infants, regional child abuse intervention and prevention, pediatric diabetes and endocrine programs, genetic screen and counseling programs, and has been involved throughout his professional career in establishing the standards for the care of children with all types of heart disease. Another important legacy is his long-term involvement in establishing the state’s and nation’s poison control center system.

He was a tireless advocate in the legislative arena for over 30 years, promoting the interests of the six professional colleges within the UF Health Science Centers and the various hospitals and clinics within the UF Shands HealthCare System locally, state-wise and nationally.

In recognition of their selfless services, Schiebler and his wife, Audrey, received many honors, including the annual Heartland Award in 1998, presented by Governor Lawton Chiles.

Facility History

Originally dedicated in 1991, and expanded twice (2003 and 2007), the Gerold L. Schiebler Children’s Medical Services Center (CMS) Complex houses the central administrative offices for the CMS North Central Florida Region - encompassing 23 counties, as well as more than a dozen different clinics which together have over 25,000 patient visits each year.

Click here to visit the Schiebler Center virtually through UF's campus map