Vale: Phillip R. Perlman DPM

Members do not see these Ads. Sign Up.

It is with great sadness that I inform the profession of the loss of Dr Phillip Perlman, who passed away last night at his home on the Gold Coast after a long illness.

Phil, to the many students that he taught and got to know him, was the quintessential 'eccentric academic'. In full flight he would leave a lecture room full of students in a tailspin of craziness...he was unlike any other university academic in the profession.

Following a move from the Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine to the QUT School of Public Health in the early 1990's, he left an indelible mark on the profession in Queensland and interstate. His passions were radiology and physical medicine and diagnosis, however he also went on to be the first practicing podiatric surgeon in the State.

I am sure many on Podiatry Arena will be greatly saddened by the loss of this great character of the profession, and our sympathies extend to this wife Wiesha and their family.

RIP Phil.

LL

 

Very sad news. I did a couple of his radiology courses.

 

This is very sad news indeed. Phil was not only a very unique character but an inspirational educator. His enthusiasm for and dedication to his students and the podiatry profession will be missed. I had the good fortune of taking two radiology/imaging courses with him in the early to mid 1990's. Importantly, both courses were great fun. More importantly, they lead to a change in my thinking as far as practising podiatry was concerned. Fundamentally, they were great educational opportunities that I am thankful for.

Phil will be sadly missed.

Karl Landorf

 

Quite a character and will always be remembered for his youthful enthusiasm and pioneering spirit. I certainly will never forget his 'doobies." Over the years we had a lot of fun together.

Deepest asympathy to family and friends.

toeslayer

 

Very sad news indeed...

We always had fun in Dr Phil's classes because he always knew how to keep things interesting... For example, our QUT radiology workshops were like a never ending game of musical chairs, he would make us swap seats constantly during these classes so everyone got a chance to be in the front row and look for the "doobie"!

Regards

Donna

 

I will always remember Phil's passion. He was so enthusiastic in his approach it was infectious. I always looked forward to his practical sessions. He helped shape the face and raise the bar of QUT graduates and their knowledge base.

So sad to lose an irreplaceble pasionate teacher

 

Phil was one of the mot inspiring and emotive lecturers I have ever had the privilege of meeting. He was one of the few lecturers I have ever known whom I have never heard a bad thing about, and believe me that is a remarkable feat in the world of undergraduate education.

I know in NSW and Sydney his courses were treasured by Podiatrists and we could never get enough of him, his knowledge or his words of wisdom!

Not only will we miss his amazing contribution to Podiatry, but we as a profession are far worse off without the person and character that is Dr Phil Perlman.

 

In memory of Phil, an extract from an article of his:

He was a crazy American, but he did work out how to 'fit in'.

Please feel free to share any of your tales of Phil-isms and funny stories.

LL

 

There are just so many stories to tell, LL...

I'm sure other past QUT students would remember that Phil was passionate about Biomechanics and Radiology, and definitely not interested in general treatments... so when Phil was supervising the teaching clinic he'd go to great effort and time to sit and analyse radiology/biomechanics/acute injury cases, while giving fleeting visits to the clinic rooms with the less interesting cases (nails, callus)...

I remember being halfway through treating a patient with severe hyperkeratosis on the heels, surrounded by numerous chips of skin on the floor around the treatment chair (as you do at QUT clinic)... :dizzy: Phil came into the room and greeted the patient, then turned to ask me "Did you weigh her before you put her in the chair?" The patient (who was a rather portly lady) was not impressed with this remark, thinking Phil was quite rude to be commenting on her larger size...

Since Phil had already progressed to another student's room, I was left to explain to the patient that he had not meant to make a rude comment, he was in fact trying to make a joke about the quantity of hyperkeratosis - ie. comparison of the "before callus removal" and "after callus removal" weight of the patient... hmmmm...

Never a dull moment in Phil's class...

 

That is just so sad.

Phil was one of the people that kept me in podiatry as a student and struggling with the prospect of cutting nails for the rest of my life. Knowing my love of paed's he pushed me at every moment he could and was instrumental at getting me my first job with a high paed's load.

His theory of vegemite causing metadductus was always my favourite as we casted kid upon kid in uni.

I never forget the shift from crazy lecturer to compassionate health professional when he helped 2 of us encourage the mother of a 7 year old to head off for testing of the child for Charcot Marie Tooth. After they left, stood there shaking his head at the tragedy of it all and gave us the harsh reminder of the good with the bad.

Finding "the doobie" was always one of the favourite lectures and it is any wonder that any of his radiology courses were booked out in advance. I was organizing one a few years back and succeeded in setting a date. The venue was difficult though, he required a hit of tennis during lunch! So not only did I have to find somewhere with heaps of light boxes we needed a tennis court too.

As for times he would turn up at the clinic at QUT from a jog....those running shorts!!!!

What a man. The profession has lost an inspiring teacher and lovely man today. My thoughts are with his family.

 

I'm shattered to hear the loss of Dr Phillip Perlman........... He was the catalyst in helping plenty of us realise that we could be more than just podiatrists who prescribe ........." ORTHOP-TICS".........He challenged us to look outside the square and to not "look at the foot" as a person...hey Lucky???

I loved his lectures....... when he would, sit us all down and say.......in his american accent....." Now, I'm Mary and I have this pain in my leg...." and we would have to ask him questions (which helped our diagnostic skills) on what mary had........

Wiesha, my deepest condolancies........We loved Phil........

 

Hey , Bug....

You just reminded me of those fav lectures of mine where Phil would always ask the students.....Now where's the Doobie?????????? Find the doobie for me students?????

Honestly, how good was his x-ray collection...from a teaching point of view????


I have more fav's to come.......

 

hello,
I'm trying to find out more information on the passing of philip perlman.
was their an obituary, or any family I can contact.
thanks,
Hillari Hansen
Boulder Colorado

 

A eulogy was given by Dr Paul Bennett, and the details of this and Phil's family can be obtained via Paul.

Please send a private message to me if you would like his email address.

LL

 

Phil was the most inspirational tutor I have ever had and had the most influence on my practice of podiatry than any other person. His approach was challenging for a student. He was not interested in spoon-feeding answers for you to memorise. He wanted to make sure the student could think and not just regurgitate facts. I still use many of the notes I created after listening to him talk.

It is a major loss to our profession that he is no longer with us. The knowledge of all graduating students will be diminished without his input - especially in advanced imaging.

 

As a QUT graduate currently working in London, it is with a great sense of sadness that I hear of the passing of such a gentle man. Dr.Perlman was truely an amazing practioner and a passionate and energetic person. I loved his classes almost as much as I loved talking about his running days, the beautiful Gold Coast and his wife's Polish cooking. I have never seen a clinician show more compassion to his pateints than Dr. Perlman.