Gabriela D. Kaplan is a distinguished diagnostic radiologist specializing in neuroradiology and imaging. Born in Quito, Ecuador, Gabriela attended the Colegio Americano in the city of her birth. During her formative years, she studied piano under the tutelage of Francoise Lambert, Countess of LaPorte at the Conservatorio Nacional de Música in Quito. Mme. Lambert had been invited by Ecuador’s government to teach there after winning the First Prize in the piano competition at the Paris conservatory of Music in France. Following this musical education, Gabriela was awarded a scholarship to study at Whittier College in California, U.S.A., where she earned her Bachelor of Art’s degree.
Later, Gabriela graduated from the Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara in Mexico with a doctorate in medicine. There, during her final three years, she was elected Medical School Class President. She then completed her internship with the New Jersey School of Medicine. Following this, she pursued residencies in surgery and radiology at New York City's Lenox Hill Hospital and Columbia University, respectively.
While working at Columbia University's Presbyterian Hospital in New York, she became an assistant professor, where she worked with Dr. Kent Ellis, Dr. David Baker and Dr. William Seaman, giants in their field. After being awarded board certification in Diagnostic Radiology by the American College of Radiology, Dr. Gabriela Kaplan earned two fellowships at John Hopkins Hospital; the first in imaging under Dr. Roger Sanders and Dr. Stanley Siegelman. Her second fellowship specialized in neuroradiology, working with Dr. Arthur E. Rosenbaum.
While working at John Hopkins', Gabriela Kaplan, M.D., was awarded a lectureship. After a decade in private practice, she pursued a third fellowship, specializing in whole body MRI. This took place at the University of Michigan’s School of Medicine in Ann Arbor with the guidance of Dr. Alex Aisen and Dr. William Martel. Upon completion of this fellowship, Gabriela practiced for a time at Cleveland's University Hospitals.
Dr. Kaplan is a member of the Radiological Society of North America, the Cleveland Radiological Society, Ohio Radiological Society, and the American College of Radiology. She has been recognized for her achievements and contributions to medicine by Marquis's "Who's Who in Medicine and Healthcare" for over 15 years.
Aside from her career in medicine, Dr. Kaplan is the president of the Lifewatch Group, an international think tank that addresses practical solutions to key world problems. Lifewatch Group advocates for a sustainable, healthy, prosperous and peaceful planet.
Gabriela’s work with Lifewatch Group has been praised by Nobel Laureates such as Linus Pauling, Desmond Tutu, Pope John Paul, Al. Gore, and Mother Teresa of Calcutta. Norman Borlaug, also a Nobel Laureate and known as the father of the “Green Revolution”, has said of Gabriela's work: "It is the most comprehensive down-to earth article that I have read on this complex series of interrelated issues that will affect the future of civilization “
Dozens of heads of state such as Bill Clinton, Corazon Aquino, Vigdis Finnbogadottir, etc., and heads of industry including David Packard, have praised the contribution of Lifewatch Group to address important global causes. During her time as President of Lifewatch Group, Dr. Kaplan has lectured across the USA., South America and Europe, including at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris, France.
Outside of her contributions to medicine and issues on the world stage, Gabriela has a passion for poetry. Her artistic work has been praised by the World Poetry Society Intercontinental. Its President, Dr. Srinivas, wrote about her work: “ I have published over 30,000 poets but your poems are different and inspiring As a Doctor, you have something NEW to say and you know how to say it……my monthly publication will feel proud to carry your spell binding poems". Following this glowing endorsement, Gabriela was awarded the title of Ambassador of Poetry by Dr. Krishna Srinivas.. She made the video documentary "Say I Promise" to illustrate how to achieve a sustainable world. Gabriela is also currently working on a diet book named "The BEST Diet", where she brings all of her medical and environmental knowledge to promote good health through a whole food plant based diet.
According to the (WHO) World Health Organization, 33% of deaths are caused by poor diet, rather than starvation. Connecting this fact to the power of whole food plant diets, Dr. Kaplan illustrates in her book that the top causes of death in developed nations are due to eating processed foods and animal products. This trend is decimating health, economies and the environment. As she starkly writes: “the world must learn that processed foods and animal products in our diet are as deadly as cigarettes”. Dr. Kaplan believes that through this knowledge, the world can achieve good health, economic stability, peace and environmental sustainability.
On a lighter note, Gabriela was the Fleet Surgeon of the Put in Bay Yacht club for ten years. On Put in Bay itself - the little Lake Erie Island - she has a cottage that is the source of her inspiration. She is also a member of the Cleveland Astronomical Society and the Sierra Club, among other organizations.
For her tireless contributions, outside of the medical field and her other achievements, Dr. Kaplan has been recognized by Marquis’s publications for over a decade in: Who’s Who in the World, Who’s Who in America, and Who’s Who in American Women.
About the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award:
The winners of the 2017 Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award are mentioned on the Marquis Who’s Who Lifetime Achievement website. This prestigious USA publication, founded in 1899, picks the winners from a worldwide list of more than 1.5 million of the most distinguished professionals. The winners are selected yearly for their accomplishments, leadership, credentials, and who positively impact the world. The list includes outstanding innovators and individuals in every field, including science, medicine, education, engineering, law, religion, business, politics, and entertainment.