Dr. Gilbert Gomer Whitmer, Jr. was born in Pittsburgh, PA and was an only child. Dr. Whitmer graduated in the top of his class at Johns Hopkins University and the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. He played varsity football in high school and college, volunteered in a local ER, and won awards for playwriting during his undergraduate years. Dr. Whitmer then completed an orthopedic surgical internship and residency as a part of the University of South Carolina Medical School system. Two years in a row Dr. Whitmer won awards for having the best medical research conducted by a surgical resident in the state of South Carolina. During his residency Dr. Whitmer wrote and published a book on The Book of Proverbs. Dr. Whitmer then completed subspecialty fellowship training in hand surgery at Campbell Clinic in Memphis, TN, one of the world's leading orthopedic institutions. After completing his surgical training Dr. Whitmer and his family moved to Rocky Mount, NC where he joined an orthopedic surgery group. His practice flourished and while he was there he served as the Chief of Surgery and Chief of the Medical Staff at one of the hospitals he worked. He was also voted 'Surgeon of the Year' and 'Physician of the Year' in successive years by the hospital staff. Throughout most of his residency and fellowship training and the first several years in practice Dr. Whitmer also served in the US Naval Reserves. He was eventually promoted to the rank of Commander and served as the Medical Officer for a US Marine Corps battalion. He was decorated for marksmanship and for service during the Gulf War. In late 2007 Dr. Whitmer became the Medical Director of an Occupational Medicine clinic in Fayetteville, NC. He has also continues to perform consultations in orthopedic cases. Dr. Whitmer is the proud father of his stepson, Vince, and his other sons, Gates and Van. He enjoys playing pool, poker, and racquetball, watching movies, and spending time with family. Over the years he has enjoyed highly charged activities like sky diving, white-water rafting, snow and water skiing, and riding dirt bikes. He loves animals and has had numerous pets, including dogs, snakes, a cat, and a tarantula.