When the ever-noble Baroness Erlanger Foundation held its Distinguished Physicians Brunch on Saturday, the foundation veered slightly from its fun-filled purpose by including a "Community Honoree" for the very first time. And, at a deliciously-warm function where there were almost as many story-lines as beautiful people, it was Merv Pregulman himself who set the standard for the day.

Pregulman, of course, was honored for having the vision to lead the Siskin Foundation in such a dynamic way that the Siskin Hospital for Physical Rehabilitation is now celebrating its 20th year. Alongside him at the dais were preeminent hand surgeon Cauley Hayes and the beloved Molly Seal, an eye specialist with a 45-year passion for Erlanger Hospital and its people.

Merv, now using canes to walk, has lost not a speck of his marvelous humor. At a crowd reception beforehand, the former College Hall of Fame football player was asked if he could still block and tackle and he replied, "You bet ... mentally!"

But it was during his remarks that he recounted the marvelous story of long ago about how his future father-in-law took the train to Washington on business. En route, Garrison Siskin became seriously ill with a blood clot in his leg. The doctors told "Mr. Garrison," as he was so well-known back in the day, that he might die within the next 24 hours.

That night, the devoutly religious Garrison prayed mightily, first that God's will would be done. But he also promised God, in the course of his night-long lament, that if God would somehow see him through this malady, he would help others who were stricken for the rest of his life. I don't know what God was thinking, but only the Almighty Above could have known at the time the countless tens of thousands of people whose lives would soon be enriched by the Siskin family.

When Garrison got back home, he called his brother/partner, "Mr. Mose," aside and told him of his vow, which triggered the legendary reply, "Your prayer is our prayer." When that moment occurred, it became "an answer to prayer" for many future generations with the special school, the rehabilitation facilities and, today, is best reflected in the hospital's brilliant metal shell of Siskin Steel.

To add Merv Pregulman to the Distinguished Physician's event was a genius stroke by the Baroness Erlanger Foundation. When both Dr. Hayes and Dr. Seal were being lauded, it was so obvious the salute was hardly for a lifetime of service by each, but, instead, a microscopic focus on the compassion, the professional brilliance and the "team" effort that both doctors have exhibited in well over 40 years of individual practice.

Dr. Hayes, for example, performed the area's first "replant" with the late Dr. Bill Patten back in 1976. (I know, I had to asked a nearby doctor what a "replant" was and now understand that is where a missing finger, toe or extremity is re-attached rather than declared missing.) Trust me, nothing replaces original parts and Dr. Hayes's involvement in restoring Erlanger to further greatness, this after several storms have swept through down the years, is equally important.

Dr. Seal, who was lauded for her "heart and soul" after learning life's lessons early as the daughter of a railroad mail clerk, came to Erlanger as a resident in 1965. Her longtime practice partner, the Rev. Harry Lawrence, noted that with her brilliance, she had various opportunities to go elsewhere many times, but her love for Erlanger and its thousands of needy patients would afford the entire community with a quality of care that cannot be matched.

Moreover, surgeon Phil Burns best described both physicians who were honored on Saturday when he pointed out their term of service was, indeed, for a lifetime. Dr. Hayes and Dr. Seal continue to bless the area's only No. 1 trauma hospital with their input, their wisdom and their grace.

Oh, it was a splendid morning. Dr. David McCallie's introduction of Merv was so glowing that Pregulman quipped, "Gee, it got me so excited I can hardly wait to see what I have got to say!" So it was while Merv was relishing the glow and the crowd was lapping it up, that easily the best tribute of the day was hardly noticed at a table near the front of the room.

Jimmy Seal motioned for his wife to lean his way, as though he had something to whisper. When Molly did, he gently and tenderly kissed her on top of the head. He didn't even speak, but the message was loud and clear not only in Molly's eyes but throughout the room.

Dr. Hayes, Dr. Seal and Merv Pregulman had to "feel the love" on Saturday in much the same way the late Mose once looked at his brother, the late Garrison, and said just as gently and tenderly, "Your prayer is our prayer." What glory.

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