In Memoriam

James H. Jewell, Jr. M.D.

by D. Michael Baxter, MD FAAFP

Great doctors are also great human beings. They demonstrate the best of our profession and serve their patients and society with the full breadth of their character and skill. Such was certainly the case of James H. Jewel, Jr, M.D., who entered this world born on April 22, 1932, and passed from us on October 30, 2021.

Dr. Jewell was a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Lehigh University and a graduate of Columbia University Medical School in 1959. He practiced as a Thoracic Cardiovascular surgeon from 19761991 on the medical staffs of the St. Joseph’s Hospital, Community General Hospital, and the Reading Hospital where he served as Chief of Thoracic Surgery from 1988-1991. That alone would have been a significant career; however, for Dr. Jewell that was only the beginning and perhaps his most important work lay ahead.

After achieving recognition as a distinguished surgeon in Berks County, Dr. Jewell was led by his Christian Faith in 1991 to accept a call to medical missions in Zambia, Africa where he served as the Medical Director at Luampa Mission Hospital in Kaoma, Zambia from 1991-1995. He continued this calling as a senior lecturer in the Department of Surgery in the School of Medicine at the University of Zambia until 2017. He was a founding member of the Pan-African Academy of Christian Surgeons and was chosen “Missionary of the Year” by the Christian Medical & Dental Association, USA, in 2002. He is survived by his wife and mission partner, Eleanor, seven children, sixteen grandchildren, and twelve great-grandchildren.

I had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Jewell during a few of his return visits to Berks County when he would speak to groups of the Reading Hospital Medical Staff about his work in Africa. His sense of commitment and indeed his evangelical enthusiasm in support of his work with both his patients and his students was clear to all in attendance. It is not trite to say that Jim Jewell was a true gem of a doctor and a person, whose skills, compassion, and faith reflected the very best of our profession and a passion for serving others. He will be missed but his legacy will certainly live on in the lives of his patients and in the work of the students and peers whom he inspired.

Nicholas Bybel, Sr., MD

Francis Plucinsky, M.D.

by D. Michael Baxter, MD FAAFP

by Robert F. Early, M.D., Anesthesiologist, Tower Health Medical Group

Dr. Nicholas Bybel, Sr., who died at the age of 89 on December 11th, served the Berks County Community for over 50 years in a multitude of roles. He graduated from Mt. Penn High School in 1950 and Albright College in 1957. He completed his medical school training at Hahnemann Medical College in 1961 and then returned home to pursue his Family Practice Residency at St. Joseph’s Hospital. He completed additional training at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh, Wills Eye and the U.S. Naval Hospital in Philadelphia. In addition to practicing Family Medicine in Muhlenberg Township for many years, he also served as the physician for several Reading area businesses including Windsor Service Corporation, Metropolitan Edison and Dana Corporation.

Serving his community beyond his traditional medical practice and corporate work, Dr. Bybel volunteered many years as the physician for the Muhlenberg High School football team and served as Chairman of the Muhlenberg Township Board of Health. He was an active Rotary member and was a 32nd degree Mason serving as Past Master of Masonic Lodge 62 and as a member of the Directors staff of Shriners Hospitals. However, many residents of Berks County may best remember Dr. Bybel as the Berks County coroner from 2002-2006. He also served as an advisory board member of the International Association of Coroners and Medical Examiners.

Dr. Bybel is survived by his wife of 65 years, Gretchen, 3 children, 5 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. We offer our condolences to his family and our gratitude for his many years of service to his community.

Dr Francis “Frank” Plucinsky, 82, passed away on December 12, 2021, at the Reading Hospital. He was the husband of Priscilla Plucinsky. Born in Cementon, PA, he was a graduate of Allentown Central Catholic High School in 1957. After high school Frank served from 195761 in the US Army. Subsequently, he attended Bloomsburg University and graduated in 1965 earning a bachelor’s degree Summa Cum Lauda in Education and Biology. He continued as a teaching fellow at Williams College and earned a master’s degree in biology. He graduated from Temple Medical School in 1971 and interned at Reading Hospital in 1972 before completing an anesthesia residency at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.

Dr. Plucinsky practiced as an anesthesiologist from 1972 until his retirement in 2002 at the Reading Hospital. He was a member of Reading Anesthesia Associates where he was the president for fourteen years, also having served as Chairman of the Department of Anesthesia for two years. He took great pleasure in teaching students and served as a clinical instructor at the Reading Hospital School of Anesthesia.

Frank enjoyed being outdoors and especially fly fishing. He had a life-long fascination with photography and natural history. He made annual pilgrimages to the mountains of the western United States, a trout fishing heaven and photographer’s dream. He was a member of the Mengel Natural History Society, Baird Ornithological Club, Berks Photography Society, and a life member of Trout Unlimited.

Frank was truly one of the pioneers and leaders of the modern anesthesia department at Reading Hospital. He was an excellent clinician as well as an educator whose legacy will forever be part of the Reading Hospital.

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