People: Eric Deal
TOP ER MEDIC FOR 1996 OLYMPICS
When he was christened, his parents did not capitalize the first two letters of his first name. An oversight. For Eric Deal, '77, D.O. '81, has emerged as 'Mr. ER' of Atlanta. Not only is he the emergency director for three hospitals-- North Lake, West Paces Ferry and Emory Adventists--but he served as emergency medical director for the 1996 Olympic Games.
'Sure,' admits Deal, 'it stretched me a little bit. But this was a once-in-a- lifetime situation, having the Olympics in your back yard. I couldn't turn down the offer.' Eric worked mightily to assemble a team. 'Fortunately, we had doctors volunteering from all over the country,' he notes. He took over Georgia Tech's student health center and transformed it into a 24-hour emergency medical center. He prepared himself and his staff for expected complications by security issues, multi-cultural issues, and athletic issues--such as a 60-page list explaining which medications are legal for competition.
Though he says he was 'at the right place at the right time,' it's clear that Eric has had a spectacular performance record in Atlanta--as well as great participation in area programs. He attributes much of his success to his education at MSU, which he remembers with great fondness. 'I love MSU,' he says. 'I grew up in East Lansing. My dad (Leo, former chairperson of audiology) got his Ph.D. there. Those were the golden years. I saw the 10-10 tie (with Notre Dame in 1966). I knew Don Japinga, Clint Jones, Steve Juday--all those guys. The education was excellent. The College of Osteopathic Medicine prepared me well.'
He says his main mentor was Yash Kapur, professor emeritus of surgery. 'He was an ear, nose and throat specialist, and I almost went into that,' he recounts. 'I spent many hours with him in the operating room. He was very gentlemanly, very well-rounded, and always looked out for the welfare of his patients. I really enjoyed watching him.'
With that kind of mentorship, it seems clear that the 1996 Summer Games athletes were in good Spartan hands.
