Herbert Hyman M.D.

Herbert Hyman, M.D.
Doctor Herbert L. Hyman of 525 S. Flagler Dr., West Palm Beach, Florida, formerly of Allentown, well known in the Lehigh Valley for his private practice of internal medicine and gastroenterology from 1954 to his retirement in 2004, passed away August 22, 2013 in West Palm Beach, FL. A native of Wilkes-Barre, he was also known for his interest in chronic fatigue syndrome, preventive oncology, and psychosomatic medicine. Prior to his permanent move to Florida late in 2005, he was active on the staffs of all the Allentown Hospitals and was Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine at Penn State University/Hershey Medical Center from 1985 to 2005. Doctor Hyman started one of the first gastrointestinal laboratories in a community hospital in the United States. He was chief of gastroenterology at former Allentown Hospital from 1957 to 1980, at Sacred Heart Hospital from 1960 to 1980, and at Lehigh Valley Hospital Center from 1974 to 1980. He was a consultant at many of the hospital neighboring the Lehigh valley. He was appointed to the advisory council of the National Institutes of Health from 1979 to 1982 and to the National Digestive Diseases Advisory Board from 1983 to 1985 when he was appointed to the consensus panel on obesity of the National Institutes of Health. From 1978 to 1981 he was Governor for Pennsylvania of the American College of Gastroenterology. He was a founder and officer of the Pennsylvania Society of Gastroenterology. He chaired the Residency Review Committee of the Lehigh Valley Hospital Center in 1984 and subsequently chaired the Bioethics Committee at Allentown Hospital. Starting in 1992, he served as Physician Advisor and Patient Advocate for the Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Association of the Lehigh Valley. He was well known in the community for the health lectures which he gave to various organizations, particularly to senior citizens. He also appeared at business clubs and PTA meetings. He particularly enjoyed speaking in churches on Sunday morning on faith and health, recently emphasizing Spirituality in Medicine. He also did motivational speaking for industry, particularly at Meridian Bank. He was a Trustee of Kutztown University from 1989 to 1999 and a Trustee of Health East from 1986 to 1991. He was on the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Board of Lehigh County from 1986 to 1989 and on the Cystic Fibrosis Board. He was on the Allentown Israel Bond Board and a Trustee of the Congregation Sons of Israel for many years. He was honored at the synagogues annual Purim Ball on March 7, 1987. After settling in Florida, he kept busy with CFIDS (Chronic Fatigue Immune Dysfunction Syndrome), developing a local support group, a research fundraising arm and a internet website. He had adjunct faculty status in the Preventive Medicine Public Health Residence program at the Palm Beach County Health Department, part of Nova Southeastern School of Medicine, University of Nova Southeastern. He also volunteered in a public clinic (Project Access) Sponsored by Palm Beach County Medical Society. He was a fellow of the American College of Physicians, the Academy of Psychosomatic Medicine, the American College of Gastroenterology, and the Royal Society of Medicine, London. He enjoyed membership in the Pavlovian Society, American Psychosomatic Society, American Gastroenterological Association and American medical Association. Survivors: He is survived by his wife, Mina; sons, Nat and wife Erica of Allentown, PA, Michael and wife Carolyn who reside in Canada; grandchildren, Aiden, Erin, Ben, Julia and Elizabeth Hyman. He was predeceased by brother, Clayton; and sister, Esther Engel. Services: Sunday, August 25 11 a.m. at Congregation Sons of Israel, 2215 Tilghman St., Allentown. Interment to follow at Ohav Zedek Cemetery, Wilkes-Barre, PA. Arrangements made by Bachman, Kulik & Reinsmith Funeral Home, Allentown, PA. Contributions: Can be made to Congregation Sons of Israel, Allentown, PA 18104.