Biography: Dr. Gil Buchanan, age 74, a distinguished Little Rock pediatrician and community leader died Saturday, December 6, 2008. Since 1979, Gilbert Austin Buchanan, M.D. (Dr. B. to many of the children he treated) served until his recent retirement as Medical Director for Children’s Medical Services in the Title V Program within the State Department of Human Services, specializing in medical services for children with special healthcare needs. From 1965 until 1997 he was a partner in the Arkansas Pediatric Clinic; and since 1998 he continued to see some patients in the clinic. A native of Prescott, Arkansas he was a graduate of the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, where he was editor of the Razorback yearbook and a member of Phi Beta Sigma honor society, Alpha Epsilon Delta, and Omicron Delta Kappa, honorary leadership fraternity. At the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences he earned his medical degree, served his internship and residency and was awarded with a Fellowship in Pediatric Allergy. He was a member of Alpha Omega Alpha honor society and editor of the Caduceus yearbook. Gil also served as Captain in the U. S. Army from 1962 to 1964. During his professional career, he served as President of Central Arkansas Pediatric Society, Chairman of the Maternal-Child Health Advisory Committee of the State Health Coordinating Committee, Secretary-Treasurer of the Alan Cazort Allergy Society of Arkansas, Co-Director of the Arkansas Genetics Program SPRANS Grant Project, and Regional Councilor of the Association of Maternal Child Health Program. He served on the Executive Committee of St. Vincent Infirmary Medical Center and on the Executive Committee of Doctor’s Hospital. Dr. Buchanan was Chairman of the School Health Committee of the Pulaski County Medical Society, Chairman of the Arkansas Health Access Foundation, Inc., Chairman of Systems Development and Finance Committee, Association of Maternal Child Healthcare Programs, Vice Chairman of the Interagency Coordinating Council for IDEA, and served on the Governor’s Task Force for Early Childhood Education, the Advisory Committee for Aldersgate Medical Camp for Children, the Standards of Care Committee for the Arkansas Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics, and as an Advisory Member of the Arkansas Council for Medically Dependent Children. He was President of the Arkansas Chapter of American Academy of Pediatrics, and served on its Bright Futures Guideline Review committee, the Child Health Finance committee and others. For over 15 years, he was on the Professional Advisory Committee of Easter Seals Arkansas, and he served on the Board of Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families from 1990 to 1996 and from 2002 to 2006 . He was elected President of the organization in 1992 and again in 2005. He was actively involved with MedCamps of Arkansas, an organization the provides camping experiences for children with a variety of special needs, since its inception. He was the winner of the 1996 Child Advocacy Volunteer Award by Voices for America’s Children, and in 2003 he was honored with the Outstanding Volunteer Award from Easter Seals Arkansas. Dr. Buchanan was a well-rounded humanitarian. He loved the children he served, and he loved his family and friends. But he also loved music and loved to travel. He greatly appreciated and was a supporter of the arts---both visual and the performing arts. In the community, he had served President and board member of the Community Theater of Little Rock and participated in some of its productions. He was also a Board member of the Arkansas Arts Center. He served as a Board member and secretary of the Board of the Arkansas Repertory Theatre. Survivors are his wife Helen Cress Buchanan of 46 years; daughter, Dr. Kate Mitchell and husband Justin of Little Rock, son, Clay Buchanan of Rockwall,TX and seven grandchildren, William, Reece, Lily, Margo Mitchell and Matthew, Ellie, and Annie Buchanan. He is also survived by his brother in law, Robert G. Cress and wife Lee, niece, Carolyn English and husband Steve, nephew, Rob Cress and his wife Julie, and for great nephews all of Little Rock. A memorial service will be held at Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church, Monday December 8th at 2:00 PM officiated by Rev. Vic Nixon. Services are under the direction of Ruebel Funeral Home, www.ruebelfuneralhome.com Memorials may be made to Arkansas Advocates for Children and Family, Union Station, Suite 306, 1400 West Markham, Little Rock, AR 72201 or Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church Foundation, 4823 Woodlawn, Little Rock, AR 72205