2022 I.B. Harrison, M.D. Humanitarian Award

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time with his patients to ensure they understood their care plan. Much like the values we associate with the late Dr. I.B. Harrison, Dr. Snyder showed compassion, respect, integrity, and empathy toward each of his patients. Due to his meticulous and patient-centered approach, his breast cancer patient load grew tremendously over the years. Upon his retirement in 2017, 80% of his patients were being treated for breast cancer. Even though he misses the daily interactions with his patients, he’s still rewarded by catching up with former patients at the local Publix supermarket. As only one example of how much his patients admired him, a former patient made a generous gift to the FSU College of Medicine to establish the Robert D. Snyder, M.D. Award for Outstanding Student in General Surgery with a Focus on Breast Cancer. This award is a lasting tribute to Dr. Snyder’s compassionate care.

Dr. Snyder’s commitment to improving the standard of care, especially for breast cancer, was unmistakable when he, and Sue Fischera, APRN, contributed to the American College of Surgeons landmark study of Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsies (SLNB). This study of early-stage breast cancer patients with no tumor in their sentinel lymph nodes (the first draining node or nodes) who undergo a lumpectomy do not benefit from surgical removal of the remaining lymph nodes in the underarm area, referred to as axillary lymph node dissection (ALND). The study found no difference in cancer recurrence and five-year survival between patients who underwent ALND and those who did not. The removal of SLNB alone significantly lowers the lifetime risk of developing comorbidities, such as lymphedema, sensory loss, or shoulder dysfunction.

To sum up Dr. Snyder’s general surgery career, his friend, former partner, and previous recipient of the I.B. Harrison, M.D. Humanitarian Award, Dr. Richard Zorn said it best: “Robert and I came to Tallahassee in the same year (1978) as friendly competitors. Over the years we became professional partners and very close personal friends. Bob's dedication to his patients, especially his breast cancer patients, was phenomenal. He used to drive the office staff crazy going over each detail of the disease and their upcoming care with each new breast cancer patient. He wasn't concerned with the office schedule. They didn't leave until every one of their questions were answered. I still have former patients of his come up to me and compliment him and our office staff on the care they received. Robert and Patti were great assets to Tallahassee, and this honor is greatly deserved.”

Dr. Snyder was another physician who was fortunate to befriend the late Dr. I.B. Harrison. He fondly remembers him as a kind, gentle, and fair-minded physician.

Dr. Snyder was involved in many aspects of the medical community. He was a board member of the Tallahassee Physicians Association, which launched HealthPlan Southeast in the late 1980s. He was a founding member of the surgery department at TMH. He served as Chair of the TMH Medical Staff and Chair of the TMH Department of Surgery. He also served on several TMH committees including the Credentials Committee, Surgical Case Review Committee, and Executive Committee. In addition, he was a generous volunteer physician in the Capital Medical Society Foundation’s We Care Network since its inception.

His passion to mentor future physicians was evident in his work with TMH and the FSU College of Medicine. He was an attending and assistant professor of surgery for the FSU College of Medicine, the FSU College of Medicine General Surgery Residency Program at TMH, and the TMH Family Medicine Residency Program. “Dr. Snyder helped me see how being a ‘workaholic’ for the benefit of others could bring even more joy and meaning to our calling as physicians. While the hours were long and the breaks were few and short, I learned how to efficiently provide competent and compassionate care to the patients who entrusted me with their health every day,” said Dr. Alma Littles, who was trained by Dr. Snyder during her residency. “I am blessed to have learned from one of the best.”

With his Catholic faith, Dr. Snyder served as Chair of the School Advisory Council at Trinity Catholic School, where his children attended school, and was instrumental in the design of the school’s media center. Currently, he is an active member of Good Shepherd Catholic Church. In addition to his faith, he is also a supporter of the arts, particularly with Young Actors Theatre (YAT). All of his daughters were students at YAT.

Dr. Snyder was married to Patti, his college sweetheart, for 52 years. After retirement, Dr. Snyder became Patti’s primary caretaker as she fought a decades-long battle with Multiple Sclerosis. Sadly, Patti passed away in November 2021. He is a devoted father to their six daughters: Kristi, Katie, Lindsey, Theresa, Susanna, and Kelly, who tragically passed away in 2006. Kristi and Katie reside in Tallahassee, while Lindsey, Theresa, and Susanna reside in Denver. He is also a proud grandfather to nine grandchildren: Eli, Jude, Jonah, Theo, Asher, Davis, Kelly Claire, Sayler, and Leyna.

When Dr. Snyder reminisces on his life, he is most proud of being a loving husband, raising six wonderful daughters, and providing quality and compassionate care to the community. For decades, his life was physically and mentally taxing, but now, he relishes the quiet moments on his back porch soaking in daily sunsets.

On behalf of all those associated with the Capital Medical Society, congratulations to Dr. Robert D. Snyder. He is a true humanitarian in every sense of the word.