Albert Lewis Saphier

After a long battle with many illnesses, Dr. Albert Lewis Saphier passed away on March 4, 2023 with his family by his side. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Anita, his daughter, Frances Offenberg (Alan), two sons, Gregory Saphier (Amy), and Sean Saphier, five grandsons, Ian Offenberg, Richard Offenberg, Hayden Saphier, Ethan Saphier, Justin Saphier, his brother, Dr. Henry Saphier (Miggi) and many nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his parents, Edna and Jacob Saphier.

Albert was born April 13,1939 in the Bronx, New York. Albert went to Taft High School and graduated from Hobart College Cum Laude in 1960. He began medical school at Tufts Medical School and graduated from New York Medical College in 1965. He married Anita Freedman and they moved to San Francisco where Albert did a one-year rotating internship at University of California-San Francisco. They then moved to Yonkers, New York where he completed a four year residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at New York Medical College, Metropolitan Hospital in 1970. In 1967, Frances Gail Saphier was born and in 1969 Gregory Scott Saphier. Albert completed his two year military service in the Army at Ft. Jackson in Columbia, South Carolina as a major.

Albert moved to Tampa, Florida in 1972 and practiced OB-GYN at Mezrah, Metts, Cohen and Saphier for over 25 years. His second son, Sean, was born in 1973. He spent time with Renee Kushner developing a LaMaze program for natural childbirth. As chairman of the surgical suite committee, he was instrumental in bringing fathers into the delivery room in Tampa. He was part of a group that opened Women’s Hospital which was bought by St. Joseph’s Hospital to become St. Joseph’s Women’s Hospital. He was course director of 10 postgraduate courses for members of the staff at Women’s Hospital and was head of continuing education at Women’s Hospital. He was part of a group which developed the in vitro fertilization (IVF) program at Women’s Hospital. He was instrumental in bringing laparoscopy surgery to Tampa and taught other surgeons to do laparoscopic procedures.

Besides his medical prowess, Albert developed a strong business foundation. In 1991 he earned an Executive Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) at the University of South Florida and was co-founder and board member of the Tampa Bay Provider Group, a 450-member Independent Practice Association (IPA). Albert was one of the founders of Tampa Outpatient Surgical Center in 1990 and eventually sold it to HealthSouth. Albert was board certified by the American College of OB-GYN, member of the Hillsborough County Medical Association, member of the Florida Medical Association, elected member of the board for a four-year term of the Society of Laparoscopic and Robotic Surgeons. He was a Clinical Associate Professor at USF Medical School in the department of OB-GYN.

Albert was an avid Tampa Bay Buccaneers fan since the team’s inaugural season in 1976 and his lifelong passion for food led to his membership in the Confrerie de la Chaine des Rotisseurs, an international gastronomic society. The family wants to thank all of his compassionate doctors and caregivers throughout the years.

Dr. Albert Saphier will be buried in Miami and a memorial service will be held in Tampa at 2pm on Wednesday, March 8th at Congregation Schaarai Zedek located at 3303 West Swann Ave. Tampa, FL 33609. The graveside service and burial will be on Friday, March 10th at 2pm located at Mt Nebo 5900 SW 77th Ave Miami, FL 33143.

Join us on zoom

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89753210063?pwd=SHBHbnArNFFZOWtEYnVGRlZEeVJQZz09

Meeting ID: 897 5321 0063

Passcode: 563403

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.RiversideGordonMemorialChapels.com for the Saphier family.