Dr. Peter G. Ruehlman Receives Highest Award from Academy of Medicine

CINCINNATI - April 29, 2024 - PRLog -- The Academy of Medicine of Cincinnati, serving physicians since 1857, recognized exceptional leadership and service in medicine at its sold out 167th Annual Meeting & Awards, held on April 25th at The View in Mt. Adams.

Among the distinguished honorees was Dr. Peter G. Ruehlman, who received this year's Daniel Drake Humanitarian Award. This prestigious award recognizes physicians who give generously of themselves to their patients and to their community.

Dr. Ruehlman spent his forty-plus year career caring for patients in the Cincinnati community, the majority with Oncology Hematology Care, Inc. While treating thousands of cancer patients, he served on countless hospital committees and trained future physicians in academic, clinical, and research settings.

Many of Dr. Ruehlman's service contributions are a direct tie to his passion for compassionate care and research. Fresh out of residency, he raised funds for research for Cincinnati Children's Hospital as Co-Founder of Cincinnati Fun Raisers. He presided over the local chapter of the National Hemophilia Foundation and has held numerous volunteer Board positions with non-profits including the American Cancer Society, Hospice of Cincinnati, and the Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Perhaps none of these endeavors, however, are as personal as his work with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.   Two years into his service as a Board Trustee, Dr. Ruehlman was diagnosed with a rare blood cancer. However, despite the rigors of his personal battle, he pressed on to provide education, patient services and research funding for others suffering from the same diseases. As the leading LLS fundraiser for six consecutive years, he received LLS' 2022 Hero and Impact Award.

"There are few individuals who exemplify the essence of humanity like Peter. I've always been humbly amazed at his generosity….with friends, colleagues, patients, and particularly those socioeconomically less fortunate. Even during times of his own physical suffering, he has continued to give tirelessly of his time, expertise and love," remarked John Sacco, MD.

Beyond medicine, Dr. Ruehlman's passion for serving the community is "part of his DNA," according to long-time colleague David Wilson, MD. As a leader in his church, Dr. Ruehlman facilitates educational workshops and can be found singing in nursing homes and hospitals, as part of the Joyful Noise Boys men's choral group. He has also tutored children and adults in literacy. Of 1500 volunteers, he was awarded the Queen City Book Bank's "Volunteer Tutor of the Year" Award in 2022.

Says Tom Carleton, former Executive Director of LLS, "Dr. Ruehlman is our friend, our mentor, a shining star. If only we could clone his tenacity for learning, his zest for life, his eagerness to teach, and his nature for philanthropy, the world would be a much kinder, healthier, and more resilient place to live."