Rotarian of the Week 05-09-12

Our Rotarian of the Week grew up in Herington Kansas. His first work experience was mowing lawns for twenty- five cents per hour.
He attended Herington High School, home of the Railroaders! After high school this special Rotarian attended Kansas University for both his undergraduate degree and for Medical school.
Interestingly while in college, he was a contemporary of Wilton Norman Chamberlain {Wilt Chamberlain} --- they were in volleyball class together.  Wilt had a little advantage when “spiking” the ball.
Larry Meuli also completed a residency in Pediatrics at Children’s Hospital in Denver and earned a Master’s Degree in Public Health from San Diego State University.
Larry has been married to his wonderful wife Vicki Parker for 51 years. They have three beautiful and accomplished children Matt, Mindy, and Marlo, who have given them six perfect grandchildren.   
Larry had a hard time deciding what his proudest accomplishment ---other than family was…
• He helped develop a medical transport & consultant system linking Wyoming Hospitals with tertiary care hospitals in the region to provide timely, quality medical care for high risk mothers & infants. This resulted in a marked decrease in the infant mortality rates in Wyoming.
• He served in the Wyoming House of Representatives for 10 yrs. (and was Appointed Chair. of the Health Committee of the  National Conference of State Legislators, which represented over 7300 legislators nationwide) in 2006.
• He was recognized as the Wyoming Medical Society Physician of the Year in 2002 for his Community Service.
• He received the American Medical Association’s Dr. Nathan Davis Award in 2004 for government officials in the advancement of Public Health. Other recipients included Dr. William Frist, then Senate Majority Floor Leader, The Honorable William Thomas, Chair of the House Ways & Means Committee, Dr. Mark McClellan, Commissioner of The Food and Drug Administration and then Florida Governor Jeb Bush.
Larry was sponsored into the Rotary Club of Cheyenne in January of 1982 by Frank Trelease.
 His most memorable Rotary experience was when Reed Eckhard from the Cheyenne Tribune Eagle first came to town and was asked to speak at Rotary. One of his future visions was to “get rid of me (Larry) as the City-County Health Officer.
Larry likes Rotary for the camaraderie it provides… because of the Polio Plus program …..and most especially for the ideal of “Service above Self”.
 Larry served as Chairman of the local Vaccine Prevention Program under President Bill Beamon. He also has served the Club as Sargent at Arms
His favorite meal is sirloin steak – cooked rare and served with a baked potato. In his spare time today Larry enjoys visiting family and friends as well as skiing, golfing and traveling.
In recognition of his service to the Club, our Cheyenne Community and the state of Wyoming, the Sargent at Arms will present Larry Meuli with a gift certificate from the Club.
Thank you Larry and Congratulations!