A Tribute to Steve Zelenski, DO, PhD

"Steve's beat involved people with syndromes. Collections of unique human proclivities when lumped together defined and described them.

He probably knew people with hundreds of these syndromes; some named for the docs who first described them, some named for the first patient who showed up with them and some with names that described how their thinking or mechanical lives were derailed. Names to most, but people to Steve.  Syndromes that were presented at bedside or Grand Rounds, names that were part of power points and long forgotten case presentations.  Names that were on lists of things the people might have, or could also have or probably didn't have depending on where the professor was trained.  But always people to Steve.

Syndromes that said, if you have these and do that you might be one of them. Syndromes that said if you're missing that or have extras of these you might be eligible to be called this.  But always people to Steve.

Syndromes that said if you can do this and can't do that you belong over here. Syndromes that said if you do all this but appear like that we might need to find a new group to put you in. But always people to Steve.

It was this quality, this clarity that announced Steve. It was this quality, among others for sure, that made him curious about people who processed the world differently. Not pathologically, not negatively but differently. To Steve their personhood was not small print but their imprint.  To Steve they presented as people not as cases.  To Steve they were who they were meant to be; no more, no less; just like Steve.

Steve had Zelenski Syndrome and we're better now because of it. Zelenski Syndrome was a constellation of sensory disruptions. He didn't see human imperfection, he marveled at them.  He didn't hear human indignity he tasted it.  He didn't just smell human indifference he rose against it.  And like people with a syndrome he found himself in the company of others like him.  But Steve being Steve, he was compelled to move them to action. And Steve being Steve he challenged them.  And Steve being Steve he caused them to line up and be counted.

His legacy, beyond his loving family, beyond his clinical contribution is the legacy that is the legacy most of us can only dream about. The ultimate leave behind....the path, the spirit, the model that causes change. Change in behavior, change in attitude, change in understanding and change in the very way one human looks at another and sees the need to care.

The American Academy of Developmental Medicine and Dentistry salutes you, honors you and is ...because of you."

Steven G. Zelenski, age 64, died peacefully at home on April 2, 2009. He was born September 22, 1944 in Philadelphia to Erika Baumann Zelenski and Joseph Zelenski.

Steve recently retired from the Central Wisconsin Center, where as a Developmental Neuropsychiatrist he worked unceasingly to help deliver the best care possible to the Center's residents. Steve was also a Clinical Assistant Professor in the UW Hospital's Department of Psychiatry.

Prior to moving to Madison in the early 1990s, Steve did research and clinical work at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation, served as chairman of the Department of Psychiatry at Oberlin Clinic and was in private practice.

Steve loved intellectual challenge. He received a B.S. from the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy & Science, a Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences from the University of Rhode Island, and D.O. from the College of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery, Des Moines.

Steve was a founding member of the American Academy of Developmental Medicine and Dentistry, an organization created to enhance the clinical outcomes of persons with intellectual disabilities. He also served on a Dane County Board of Supervisors advisory subcommittee on community supports for adults with developmental disabilities.

Steve loved computers (as long at they were Apples!) and projects of all kinds. He traveled as much as he could in the last few years, and visited the Amalfi coast of Italy, Paris, Prague, and Vienna, where he explored the city where his mother grew up and found his maternal great-grandfather's home.

He is survived by his wife, Tamara England-Zelenski, his son Alex Zelenski and his daughter Nicki Zelenski, all of Madison, his stepson, Joel Meyer-England, of Los Angeles, and his mother, Erika Zelenski, of Philadelphia. He is also survived by many England and Dobra in-laws and relatives-and Baxter, the black & white wonder-dog.

Memorials may be made to the Steve & Jane Zelenski Memorial Fund for Humanity in Medicine, c/o Michael Best & Friedrich, 1 S. Pinckney Street, Madison, WI 53701 or to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN) 2141 Rosecrans Avenue, El Segundo, CA 90245.