George Mauerman, M.D.
2004 J. Pascal Twyman Award Winner
Family: Adrien (wife, deceased); children, Bill, Heidi and Heather; four grandchildren
Work: Eastern Oklahoma Orthopedic Center, Inc.; Team Physician, University of Tulsa
FAVORITES
- Hobby: Sports. I played various sports in high school and attended Vanderbilt on a football athletic scholarship. This early love of sports carried over into my practice of sports medicine and TU athletics. That is why you will usually find me on campus seven days a week. I know the players, the coaches, the athletic staff and many of their families or significant others. After 35 years as the team physician, they are like my second family, not “work”.
- Book: When my wife, Adrien, was diagnosed with breast cancer, Harold Kushner’s When Bad Things Happen to Good People helped me get through that difficult period.
- Vacation Destination: I travel extensively with the TU athletic programs, as well as to various professional conferences and meetings. But, when I do get to take a vacation, I usually go to either North Carolina or Texas because two of my children live in those states.
LIFE LESSONS
- What is the best advice you ever received?
My parents told me that the Lord never gives you more than you can handle. I’ve learned over the years that this is very true. - What advice do you give to your children?
Always follow the three F’s — faith, family and friends — in that order. I also told them to never lie because the truth is not only right, it’s just easier. - What would your acquaintances be surprised to know about you?
I’m 67 now and I think that most people wonder why I haven’t retired yet. The reason is simple — I love what I’m doing and look forward to seeing my “family” at TU, as well as my patients, every day. - What are you most proud of?
My family! I’ve received professional honors throughout my career, but I am most proud of my family. I never remarried after my wife died. After she passed away, my children and I became very, very close. I am so proud of the way they’ve grown up. They’re independent and are making it on their own. - Define happiness:
Getting together with my family is my idea of happiness (which happens infrequently since the kids are spread throughout the country). Adrien’s Mom lives in Tulsa, and Bill recently moved back; but Heidi’s family lives in Texas, and Heather’s in North Carolina, so on occasions that we do manage to all end up in the same place together, it’s great. They’re all coming to Tulsa for TU’s Homecoming to see me receive this award, so I’ll be pretty happy then. Next to that, I’m most happy when I’m with my “second family,” all of the great people in the sports programs and administration at TU.