Dr. Gerald Stulc
A Life of Service, Medicine, and Lifelong Learning
Results of a ChatGPT Deep Search
Uploaded to NotebookLM
STARTING OUR GERALDBOT
The content below was generated in a ChatGPT "Deep Search" and uploaded to NotebookLM, the "molten core" of our Geraldbot, from which we can generate Gerald Stulc's story in any way we wish.
We've told our Geraldbot we wish to publish a magazine-length feature about you, focusing especially on your leadership roles in the Academy for Lifelong Learning and the Torch Club.
"What are the 20 best questions we should we ask Gerald for a profile that will both tell his story and increase public awareness of the Academy and Torch Club?" we asked.
Here's its response:
Twenty Questions for Dr. Gerald Stulc
August 23, 2025
Early Life and Family Background
Gerald Stulc’s life story is rooted in resilience and global history. He was born in the late 1940s to parents who survived the upheavals of World War II in Czechoslovakia
legacy.com. His mother, Emilie, endured forced service in German civil defense during the war and met his father, Jaroslav “Jerry” Stulc – the son of a minister who himself survived imprisonment in a concentration camp
legacy.com. With communist takeover looming in 1948, the young family fled their homeland and settled in the United States, finding refuge in Iowa
legacy.com. There Gerald was raised as the cherished only child of his parents. Emilie worked as a bookkeeper in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and instilled in her son a strong work ethic and love of music and learning (she famously insisted on a cold beer with supper even into her 90s)
legacy.com
legacy.com. Growing up in the American Midwest, Gerald benefited from his parents’ remarkable stories of courage and survival, which would later inform his own worldview. He would go on to build a family of his own: he married Dr. Diana Minassian, a physician, and together they raised two sons, Alexan and Evan Stulc, in upstate New York
legacy.com
torch.org. (His wife Diana shares his dedication to medicine – she is a doctor as well – and the couple even adopted a beloved dog, Mr. Beasley, who is treated like family
booklife.com.) Gerald Stulc’s early life and family background thus set the stage for a lifetime of service, intellectual curiosity, and commitment to community.
Education and Surgical Career
Gerald Stulc pursued an ambitious education in medicine that would launch him into a distinguished surgical career. He earned his Doctor of Medicine (MD) at the University of Iowa, alma mater in the heartland where he grew up
spotlightnews.com. Following medical school, he entered rigorous specialty training: Stulc completed a general surgery residency at Georgetown University, honing his surgical skills in the nation’s capital
spotlightnews.com. He then subspecialized with advanced fellowships – including a transplant surgery fellowship and a cancer surgery (surgical oncology) fellowship – at the renowned Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo, NY
spotlightnews.com. These credentials led to a role in academic medicine as well: Dr. Stulc served as a Clinical Assistant Professor of Surgery at the University of Louisville in Kentucky, where he helped train new surgeons
spotlightnews.com. Over the years, Dr. Stulc’s surgical practice focused on trauma and cancer surgery. He became a board-certified oncologic and trauma surgeon, treating patients with complex injuries and cancers
independent.academia.edu. Colleagues recall him as a dedicated and skillful physician who also contributed to medical literature – during his surgical career he published a number of scientific articles and even worked as a scientific journal editor
booklife.com. By the time he retired from clinical practice, Dr. Stulc had amassed decades of experience in operating rooms and had helped countless patients. His medical accomplishments provided him with a deep well of knowledge, especially in the history and evolution of surgical techniques and medical care – an interest that he would carry forward into his later pursuits in teaching and writing.
spotlightnews.com. Following medical school, he entered rigorous specialty training: Stulc completed a general surgery residency at Georgetown University, honing his surgical skills in the nation’s capital
spotlightnews.com. He then subspecialized with advanced fellowships – including a transplant surgery fellowship and a cancer surgery (surgical oncology) fellowship – at the renowned Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo, NY
spotlightnews.com. These credentials led to a role in academic medicine as well: Dr. Stulc served as a Clinical Assistant Professor of Surgery at the University of Louisville in Kentucky, where he helped train new surgeons
spotlightnews.com. Over the years, Dr. Stulc’s surgical practice focused on trauma and cancer surgery. He became a board-certified oncologic and trauma surgeon, treating patients with complex injuries and cancers
independent.academia.edu. Colleagues recall him as a dedicated and skillful physician who also contributed to medical literature – during his surgical career he published a number of scientific articles and even worked as a scientific journal editor
booklife.com. By the time he retired from clinical practice, Dr. Stulc had amassed decades of experience in operating rooms and had helped countless patients. His medical accomplishments provided him with a deep well of knowledge, especially in the history and evolution of surgical techniques and medical care – an interest that he would carry forward into his later pursuits in teaching and writing.
Military Service as a Navy Flight Surgeon
Dr. Stulc’s sense of duty led him not only to the hospital ward but also to military service. He served for over 15 years as a Flight Surgeon in the U.S. Navy Reserve, holding a commission in the Navy Medical Corps
podcasts.apple.com
summitseniorlife.com. In this role – symbolized by the gold winged Flight Surgeon insignia he proudly earned – Dr. Stulc provided medical support to aviators and naval personnel, combining his physician’s expertise with the rigor of military aviation training. He studied at the prestigious U.S. Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island, further deepening his understanding of military strategy and operations
theliteraryphysician.com. Rising through the ranks, Dr. Stulc retired from the Navy with the rank of Captain (O-6)
summitseniorlife.com. His military tenure spanned service with both Navy and Marine Corps units, giving him firsthand insight into military medicine in action. He logged years of experience as a flight surgeon – the medical officer responsible for the health of pilots and aircrew – which required not only general and trauma medicine skills but also an understanding of aeromedical physiology. Dr. Stulc’s Navy years were distinguished by 16 years of service in the Naval Reserve, during which he balanced military drills and deployments with his civilian surgical career
summitseniorlife.com. He ultimately retired from the Navy in the mid-2000s, proud to have worn the uniform and to have cared for America’s servicemembers. This unique background as a physician-soldier enriched his perspective and fed a lifelong fascination with military and medical history.
podcasts.apple.com
summitseniorlife.com. In this role – symbolized by the gold winged Flight Surgeon insignia he proudly earned – Dr. Stulc provided medical support to aviators and naval personnel, combining his physician’s expertise with the rigor of military aviation training. He studied at the prestigious U.S. Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island, further deepening his understanding of military strategy and operations
theliteraryphysician.com. Rising through the ranks, Dr. Stulc retired from the Navy with the rank of Captain (O-6)
summitseniorlife.com. His military tenure spanned service with both Navy and Marine Corps units, giving him firsthand insight into military medicine in action. He logged years of experience as a flight surgeon – the medical officer responsible for the health of pilots and aircrew – which required not only general and trauma medicine skills but also an understanding of aeromedical physiology. Dr. Stulc’s Navy years were distinguished by 16 years of service in the Naval Reserve, during which he balanced military drills and deployments with his civilian surgical career
summitseniorlife.com. He ultimately retired from the Navy in the mid-2000s, proud to have worn the uniform and to have cared for America’s servicemembers. This unique background as a physician-soldier enriched his perspective and fed a lifelong fascination with military and medical history.
Author and Historian: From Surgeon to Storyteller
After retiring from active surgical practice, Gerald Stulc embarked on a second career as an author and historian, blending his medical knowledge with his passion for history. Demonstrating that it’s never too late to learn, he went back to school and obtained an M.F.A. in Creative Writing once he hung up his scalpel
theliteraryphysician.com. With formal training in writing to complement his scientific background, Dr. Stulc turned his attention to crafting literature that could educate and entertain. In 2018, he released his debut novel, The Surgion’s Mate, a sweeping work of historical fiction set during the Napoleonic Wars. (The title harkens back to an old naval medical text from 1617, The Surgion’s Mate, by John Woodall
theliteraryphysician.com.) The novel follows a young naval surgeon’s assistant through battles like Trafalgar and on secret missions in Napoleonic Europe, intertwining adventure, romance, and meticulous historical detail
summitseniorlife.com
podcasts.apple.com. Dr. Stulc was eminently qualified to write this story: as a student of military and medical history all his life, and a retired trauma/cancer surgeon with his own military service, he infused the book’s medical scenes and battle depictions with authenticity drawn from personal experience
summitseniorlife.com. “Ninety percent of historical fiction is based on careful research,” Stulc has noted, and indeed he conducted extensive research to recreate 19th-century medicine and society
spotlightnews.com
summitseniorlife.com. The Surgion’s Mate earned excellent reviews and was later made available as an audiobook
summitseniorlife.com. Encouraged by this success, Dr. Stulc did not stop writing. He has authored numerous articles and given presentations on topics in military and medical history, sharing insights on everything from naval surgeons in the age of sail to the development of combat medicine
podcasts.apple.com. Currently, he is working on two nonfiction books. One is ambitiously titled The Red Badge, a comprehensive history of military medicine from ancient times to the present
booklife.com. The other stems from one of his lecture series about art and anatomy – a chronicle of how artistic depiction of the human body intertwined with medical discovery through history (based on a course he teaches)
allsaratoga.org. Through these works, Dr. Stulc channels his twin passions for history and healing. In recent years he even created a promotional historical video with his son Evan, showcasing their shared creative talents in service of educating others
torch.org. From surgeon to storyteller, Gerald Stulc has become known as “The Literary Physician,” adept at translating the complexities of medicine and war into compelling narratives for general audiences.
theliteraryphysician.com. With formal training in writing to complement his scientific background, Dr. Stulc turned his attention to crafting literature that could educate and entertain. In 2018, he released his debut novel, The Surgion’s Mate, a sweeping work of historical fiction set during the Napoleonic Wars. (The title harkens back to an old naval medical text from 1617, The Surgion’s Mate, by John Woodall
theliteraryphysician.com.) The novel follows a young naval surgeon’s assistant through battles like Trafalgar and on secret missions in Napoleonic Europe, intertwining adventure, romance, and meticulous historical detail
summitseniorlife.com
podcasts.apple.com. Dr. Stulc was eminently qualified to write this story: as a student of military and medical history all his life, and a retired trauma/cancer surgeon with his own military service, he infused the book’s medical scenes and battle depictions with authenticity drawn from personal experience
summitseniorlife.com. “Ninety percent of historical fiction is based on careful research,” Stulc has noted, and indeed he conducted extensive research to recreate 19th-century medicine and society
spotlightnews.com
summitseniorlife.com. The Surgion’s Mate earned excellent reviews and was later made available as an audiobook
summitseniorlife.com. Encouraged by this success, Dr. Stulc did not stop writing. He has authored numerous articles and given presentations on topics in military and medical history, sharing insights on everything from naval surgeons in the age of sail to the development of combat medicine
podcasts.apple.com. Currently, he is working on two nonfiction books. One is ambitiously titled The Red Badge, a comprehensive history of military medicine from ancient times to the present
booklife.com. The other stems from one of his lecture series about art and anatomy – a chronicle of how artistic depiction of the human body intertwined with medical discovery through history (based on a course he teaches)
allsaratoga.org. Through these works, Dr. Stulc channels his twin passions for history and healing. In recent years he even created a promotional historical video with his son Evan, showcasing their shared creative talents in service of educating others
torch.org. From surgeon to storyteller, Gerald Stulc has become known as “The Literary Physician,” adept at translating the complexities of medicine and war into compelling narratives for general audiences.
Community Leadership in Lifelong Learning and Civic Clubs
Beyond his professional achievements, Dr. Gerald Stulc has made a remarkable impact on his local community in Saratoga County, New York, through volunteer leadership and civic engagement. In retirement, he became deeply involved with the Academy for Lifelong Learning (A.L.L.) – Saratoga Region, Inc., an organization offering non-credit courses to older adults. Dr. Stulc currently serves as the Chair of the Board of Directors for A.L.L. in Saratoga, helping guide this nonprofit’s mission of continuing education
allsaratoga.org. He is a long-time volunteer instructor in the program as well, developing and leading courses that draw upon his expansive knowledge. For example, he has taught classes on the history of medicine and art – one recent six-week course examined how artistic portrayals of the human body evolved in tandem with anatomical science, a topic Stulc is literally writing a book about
allsaratoga.org
allsaratoga.org. Colleagues at the Academy praise Dr. Stulc’s commitment: he brings scholarly rigor and enthusiasm to the classroom, and he helps organize events and publications that enrich the intellectual life of local seniors. His leadership has been key to A.L.L.’s growth (the academy now counts hundreds of active members in the Saratoga region) and its partnership with other community groups in promoting lifelong learning.
allsaratoga.org. He is a long-time volunteer instructor in the program as well, developing and leading courses that draw upon his expansive knowledge. For example, he has taught classes on the history of medicine and art – one recent six-week course examined how artistic portrayals of the human body evolved in tandem with anatomical science, a topic Stulc is literally writing a book about
allsaratoga.org
allsaratoga.org. Colleagues at the Academy praise Dr. Stulc’s commitment: he brings scholarly rigor and enthusiasm to the classroom, and he helps organize events and publications that enrich the intellectual life of local seniors. His leadership has been key to A.L.L.’s growth (the academy now counts hundreds of active members in the Saratoga region) and its partnership with other community groups in promoting lifelong learning.
Equally notable is Dr. Stulc’s role with the International Association of Torch Clubs (IATC), a network of clubs dedicated to intellectual discussion and fellowship among professionals. He helped found and currently serves as President of the Saratoga Torch Club, a chapter that meets regularly for dinner and presentations on a wide range of topics
spotlightnews.com. In recognition of his energy and vision, Dr. Stulc was elected the IATC Region 1 Director(covering clubs in the Northeast) for the 2023–2025 term
torch.org. In this capacity, he coordinates activities among several Torch Clubs and represents them on the international board. A highlight of his Torch involvement came in 2022, when Saratoga hosted the Torch Clubs National Convention. Dr. Stulc served as the local host and “dazzled” attendees with his hospitality and organizational skills
torch.org. The convention was a great success, bringing together members from across the U.S. and Canada – an achievement for which Stulc and the Saratoga club received formal commendation
torch.org. Whether he is arranging for a speaker on history at a Torch Club meeting or mentoring new members, Gerald Stulc exemplifies the Torch ideals of lifelong learning and civic discourse. He even lectures to other clubs and at IATC conferences on subjects ranging from medicine to art and military history
torch.org. Notably, he has also been an adjunct professor at SUNY Adirondack, further sharing his expertise with college students in his region
torch.org. Through these roles, Dr. Stulc has become a pillar of the Saratoga-area intellectual community – a retiree who gives back by creating opportunities for others to learn and converse.
spotlightnews.com. In recognition of his energy and vision, Dr. Stulc was elected the IATC Region 1 Director(covering clubs in the Northeast) for the 2023–2025 term
torch.org. In this capacity, he coordinates activities among several Torch Clubs and represents them on the international board. A highlight of his Torch involvement came in 2022, when Saratoga hosted the Torch Clubs National Convention. Dr. Stulc served as the local host and “dazzled” attendees with his hospitality and organizational skills
torch.org. The convention was a great success, bringing together members from across the U.S. and Canada – an achievement for which Stulc and the Saratoga club received formal commendation
torch.org. Whether he is arranging for a speaker on history at a Torch Club meeting or mentoring new members, Gerald Stulc exemplifies the Torch ideals of lifelong learning and civic discourse. He even lectures to other clubs and at IATC conferences on subjects ranging from medicine to art and military history
torch.org. Notably, he has also been an adjunct professor at SUNY Adirondack, further sharing his expertise with college students in his region
torch.org. Through these roles, Dr. Stulc has become a pillar of the Saratoga-area intellectual community – a retiree who gives back by creating opportunities for others to learn and converse.
Personal Passions and Ongoing Contributions
Dr. Stulc’s colleagues and friends often remark that he seems busier in “retirement” than he ever was while working full-time. Indeed, his personal passions are numerous and well-rounded. He is an avid painter and sketch artist, finding creative expression on canvas just as he does on the page
torch.org. A man of the arts, he also plays classical guitar for enjoyment – a hobby he has cultivated over years, reflecting his lifelong love of music
torch.org. When he’s not writing or teaching, you might find Gerald tending to his garden at his home on Ballston Lake, New York
torch.org. He has a noted interest in antiques and first-edition books, often scouring shops for historical artifacts or rare volumes that catch his eye
torch.org. (His home library is said to be brimming with antique medical texts and history books.) Ever the military history buff, he also collects militaria – objects like vintage military medals or equipment – that connect him tangibly to the past
torch.org. And proving that adventure isn’t just for the young, Dr. Stulc even took up scuba divingas a hobby, exploring underwater worlds when he gets the chance
booklife.com.
torch.org. A man of the arts, he also plays classical guitar for enjoyment – a hobby he has cultivated over years, reflecting his lifelong love of music
torch.org. When he’s not writing or teaching, you might find Gerald tending to his garden at his home on Ballston Lake, New York
torch.org. He has a noted interest in antiques and first-edition books, often scouring shops for historical artifacts or rare volumes that catch his eye
torch.org. (His home library is said to be brimming with antique medical texts and history books.) Ever the military history buff, he also collects militaria – objects like vintage military medals or equipment – that connect him tangibly to the past
torch.org. And proving that adventure isn’t just for the young, Dr. Stulc even took up scuba divingas a hobby, exploring underwater worlds when he gets the chance
booklife.com.
Those who know Gerald Stulc describe him as a renaissance man with a generous spirit. He seamlessly blends “left-brain” and “right-brain” interests: one moment he may be discussing the latest oncology research, and the next, analyzing a Turner painting of the Battle of Trafalgar. Despite his many achievements, he remains approachable and eager to share knowledge. He and his wife Diana enjoy traveling and spending time with their two grown sons whenever possible – family remains at the heart of his life
torch.org. In recent years, father and son even collaborated, as Gerald and his son Evan co-produced a promotional video for the Torch Clubs’ centennial, highlighting their creative synergy across generations
torch.org.
torch.org. In recent years, father and son even collaborated, as Gerald and his son Evan co-produced a promotional video for the Torch Clubs’ centennial, highlighting their creative synergy across generations
torch.org.
From his youth as the son of war refugees, to his years as a surgeon and Navy officer, and now as an educator, author, and community leader, Dr. Gerald Stulc has lived an extraordinary American life. He has continually channeled his experiences into contributions that benefit others: healing patients, preserving history through writing, and fostering learning in his community. At 77 years old, Dr. Stulc shows no signs of slowing down. He serves as an inspiring example of lifelong learning and service – truly embodying the motto that one should “never stop growing.” As the chair of the local Academy for Lifelong Learning, the president of the Torch Club, and a respected elder in Saratoga civic circles, Dr. Gerald Stulc has transformed a lifetime of hard-won knowledge into a legacy of community engagement and enlightenment
torch.org. His journey from surgeon to scholar continues to enrich those around him, proving that a passion for knowledge and service can burn brightly at any age.
torch.org. His journey from surgeon to scholar continues to enrich those around him, proving that a passion for knowledge and service can burn brightly at any age.
Sources: Dr. Gerald Stulc profile and event descriptions
summitseniorlife.com
summitseniorlife.com; IATC Torch Clubs biography
torch.org
torch.org; Spotlight News report on author talk
spotlightnews.com
spotlightnews.com; The Literary Physician bio
theliteraryphysician.com; Academy for Lifelong Learning Board info
allsaratoga.org; Emilie Stulc obituary (Daily Gazette)
legacy.com
legacy.com; BookLife author profile
booklife.com
booklife.com.