In January of 2021, Dr. Frank Shuler lost a four-year-long battle with cancer and a rare autoimmune disease at the age of 53. Yet, his legacy continues to this day through the lives he saved and the medical students he touched.
After graduating from Weirton High School in 1985, Dr. Shuler attended West Virginia University School of Medicine and was the first student to graduate with an M.D. and Ph.D. with honors in 1996. He went on to residency at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center in orthopedic trauma surgery from 1996-2001.
Throughout his career, he worked at hospitals in Tennessee and West Virginia, but he found his true calling at Cabell Huntington Hospital and the Edwards Comprehensive Cancer Center. He joined the staff in 2011 and was a professor in the Department of Orthopedic Surgery in the Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine at Marshall University.
Dr. Shuler published his first scholarly article about genetics in 1998, which would be followed by 109 publications. For 11 consecutive years he had at least one article (and often multiple articles) published annually.
Most of his research projects concerned genetics and topics within the orthopedic department. Among his numerous awards was the “Excellence in Commitment Award” in 2020, “Regional Top Doctor” from the Castle Connolly consulting firm in 2014, and a certificate from U.S. Medicare and Medicaid Services in 2011.
The Franklin D. Shuler, M.D., Program Award was named after him. It is given at the Annual Quality & Safety Summit, which is jointly sponsored by the Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine and Marshall Health Network.
Aimed at fostering inter-professional collaboration and communication, presentations of projects come from hospital employees, residents/fellows, and medical students. Many multi-year, multi-disciplinary projects have resulted in better patient safety and quality improvements.
Such accomplishments were the reason Governor Earl Ray Tomblin (2011-17) recognized him as a “Distinguished Mountaineer” for his work in medicine in rural West Virginia, the state where he loved living.
A beloved physician, researcher, and friend, Dr. Shuler’s acts of service included reviewing and editing different medical journals, serving on many committees and boards, and mentoring numerous medical students and residents.
Above all his accomplishments, Dr. Shuler cherished his role as a father to daughter Madison and son David. As the obituary in his hometown newspaper, The Weirton Times, said, “Be not sad that he died, but glad that he lived and was such an inspiring part of all of our lives.”