Neuroscience team holds special celebration for Dr. Robert Zeller

July 3, 2018

Texas Children’s Neuroscience team recently held a special retirement celebration for long-time neurologist and Blue Bird Circle Clinic Medical Director Dr. Robert Zeller.

More than 100 guests attended the celebration including Texas Children’s Chief of Neurology Dr. Gary Clark, Chief of Neurosurgery Dr. Howard Weiner, Dr. Huda Zoghbi, director of the Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children’s, and many of Zeller’s colleagues, friends, and volunteers from the Blue Bird Circle.

For more than 30 years, Zeller devoted much of his life to delivering care to patients in the Blue Bird Circle at Texas Children’s. But as his colleagues will tell you, his compassion goes beyond the clinical setting. In 1993, he established Camp for All, a barrier-free recreational facility that helps children – regardless of their medical condition or physical disability – experience the thrill of camping and nature just like other children. Aside from this notable achievement, Zeller started Camp Spike N’ Wave for patients with epilepsy which has grown in attendance year after year. This camp wouldn’t have been possible without Zeller’s instrumental efforts.

“I had a patient with epilepsy who couldn’t go to camp because camps wouldn’t accept children with this condition,” Zeller said. “This prompted me to develop a camp for children with special needs where they can discover life without barriers. Now, my kids and everybody else’s kids can go to Camp for All. It’s my way of giving back to my patients.”

While at Texas Children’s, Zeller received the 2015 Arnold P. Gold Humanism in Medicine Award from the Child Neurology Society. Click here to watch this tribute video that recognizes Zeller’s humanistic approach to patient care.

Congratulations Dr. Zeller for your contributions to Texas Children’s as you begin your retirement.