After my military service, I opened my radiology practice in the early 70's in NYC- just a few short years before the Telephone Fire. I remember this day very well. Events like this inspired me to do more --- and to offer the kind of care to all exposed service members whose sacrifice deserves the same ‘above and beyond’ attention that they have always provided us.
Looking back, my life’s work has been dedicated to caring for countless patients, some with the most complex issues and challenges. As a grateful New Yorker I have always kept my doors wide open for all first responders- knowing about the risks they endure in practically every call.
In the spirit of doing our part and making a difference, I proudly stand side by side with all members of the fire service, active and retired- including all advocates and foundations. You are all my inspiration to responding to a call of need and doing all that we can for our community.
VIEWPOINTS "...the doc is just a breath of fresh air with his directness. He's always looking at ways to help with cancer detection for firefighters that are noninvasive and easy to access. The earlier we find somebody's cancer, the, the, the better chance of survival and you can do everything by the book and still end up with cancer. There's tremendous moral hazard. When we say that every firefighter's cancer was caused by firefighting, you can get cancer from a thousand different reasons, genetics, you name it, you know, there's alcohol, sugar. ... but detection is important and the men and women who get in early, the treatments are less debilitating. The survival rates are higher, it's easier psychologically to deal with it. You can survive and you you've got to take every effort you can-- that's the doc." - Chief Bobby Halton / Fire Engineering "Dan Noonan, who was first due on 3 Truck to the deadly NY Telephone Exchange fire, has, in the decades since, been a tireless advocate for awareness of occupational cancer and toxic exposure in the fire service, in particular the cancers and deaths sustained by many of the 699 FDNY members who fought that fire. Carrying forward the message and lessons learned, FDNY Deputy Chief Frank Leeb and the Fire Department of New York are leading the way to shift the culture and strategies and improve contamination reduction on the job. We owe it to our brother and sister firefighters, ourselves, and our families to do everything possible to reduce toxic exposure on the job and ensure everyone gets checked regularly for all types of cancer." - David Dachinger / Responder Resilience "Dr Bard's dedication to the provision of advanced diagnostics to the community of first responders that continually put their lives at risk for the sake of the public is more than commendable. I have seen his selfless dedication working weekends and nights doing as much as he can to provide lifesaving care. His speech is a touching honor to all firefighters for their willingness to put their own lives at risk to protect all and is a powerful tribute to their sacrifice...". - Russ Allen / NFL Alumni "I have worked with Dr Bard for more than 30 years. In my opinion, his skill and insightful approach to diagnosis and prognosis has help guide treatment and treatment protocols for decades. Indeed his cancer diagnostic research has helped save and orient treatment for countless patients. His philosophy of "more information can't hurt" is where medicine and the science of medicine meet for the benefit of those whom we serve. The idea that "that patient is me" is the calling that propels Dr. Robert Bard to be as generous and genuine as those who protect and serve. We may wonder who protects those that protect us. Dr. Robert Bard is an outstanding and selfless one of those. " - Dr. Richard Kushner "If there was ever a group of selfless individuals, our firefighters fit that description to a "T". The first ones to run INTO a fire, regardless of the potential toxic conditions to save lives, takes a special soul. Dr. Bard's dedication to help Mr. Dan Noonan and their rescue community gain public awareness and advocacy is a calling all health care professionals can share. 699 firefighters dedicated their lives to help the helpless, and it only makes sense that we should help them - and all first responders - in whatever way we can."- Jerry Dreessen, DC / Chiropractor |