Linton High School 

Class of 1974

David Liebers is a proud graduate of Schenectady City Schools who attended Zoller Elementary School, Oneida Middle School and finally Linton High School graduating in 1974. Liebers credits his inspiring classroom teachers for his positive educational foundation and if asked, he will recall his most influential teachers by name. Inspired by his rich family tradition of studying health care, David Liebers attended Hamilton College to study Biology and History and then earned his medical degree from the University of Rochester School of Medicine.  Dr. Liebers completed his internship and residency at Mercy Hospital in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and went on to complete a fellowship in infectious Diseases at Albany Medical College in Albany, New York.  It was during this period, (1985-1987) that Dr. Liebers was thrust onto the front lines in combating the AIDS epidemic and witnessed the heroic collaboration among patients, community and medical science that led to the advances in treatment that we see today. 

Dr. Liebers joined the medical staff at Ellis and St. Clare’s Hospitals in 1987 as a member of the Ellis Hospital division of Infectious Diseases at the height of the HIV epidemic.  Dr. Liebers educated and inspired residents and fellows as well as actively participated in community and school educational programs.  Dr. Liebers’ dedication to his craft allowed him to balance his own practice of medicine while inspiring others who were entering into the field.  In 1998 Dr. Liebers was awarded the Sub-Specialty Teacher of the Year from St. Clare’s Hospital and in 2000 he became the Clinical Instructor of Medicine at Albany Medical College. 

Dr. Liebers is the Chief Medical Officer and Vice President of Medical Affairs at Ellis Hospital and he provided leadership during the merger of Ellis, Bellevue and St. Clare’s Hospitals.  Dr. Liebers is a staunch advocate for patient safety and quality of care and has been a leading figure in Ellis Hospital’s success.  Dr. Liebers has played a large role in developing and maintaining Ellis’ high level of clinical quality and frequently receives positive feedback and letters of praise about his work from patients and families.  Dr. Liebers holds memberships in numerous medical organizations including Schenectady County Medical Society, the New York State Medical Society, the American Society of Microbiology, the New York State Society of Internal Medicine, the Infectious Diseases Society of America and the American Society of Internal Medicine. 

Dr. Liebers is a well-known and prominent physician in the community who works tirelessly for his patients to improve the delivery of health care to local residents.  His most important quality is his compassion that he shows to all his patients and their families.  In addition to his professional qualifications, Dr. Liebers is a dedicated husband and father of three, a committed environmentalist, an active church member and has served as a leader in the Boys Scouts of America.  

The contributions of Dr. David M. Liebers have impacted us all and we are honored to induct him into the Schenectady City School District Hall of Fame.     

Daniel R. Monaco

Mont Pleasant High School 

Class of 1955

Daniel Monaco, was stricken with Polio just prior to the annual, competitive 1954 Election Day Game with the undefeated Nott Terrace High School football team.  In an unprecedented move, the city championship football game was cancelled.  Famously known as “the kid who got polio”, Daniel Monaco was the Co-Captain of the undefeated Mont Pleasant High School Football team who completed his senior year in high school from his hospital bed.  Determined to walk across the stage, Monaco donned crutches, and with the braces on his legs, attended the 1955 graduation ceremonies at Mont Pleasant High School.  Monaco, who once feared he wouldn’t reach the age of 19, went on to achieve an accomplished and distinguished career.    

Daniel Monaco is a determined man who understands the meaning of perseverance. After graduating from Mont Pleasant, he found a job running a freight elevator at a downtown department store.  Monaco also worked for the State while taking college courses at Russell Sage Evening Division in Albany.  Monaco graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree and was quickly accepted at the University of Miami Law School where he received his Juris Doctor Degree.  Monaco joined a Naples Florida law firm where he began practicing law and later became a senior partner while working for 30 years with the firm.  A friend noted that “He distinguished himself as a hardworking, industrious lawyer who had a way with clients that was disarming and comforting.”   In 1996, he won the election for the State Circuit Judge and during his tenure he presided over many major cases, including one that was covered nationally by Court TV.

Judge Monaco is Board Certified in Civil Trial Practice and Family Law and was in the first class to be Board Certified by the Florida Bar Association.  He was commissioner and chair of the 20^th Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission, founder and chairman of its Family Law Section, chair of the Family Law Section of the Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers and a sustaining member of the American Trial Lawyers Association and its family law section.  He also attended Oxford University in England.   Monaco served in the United States Marine Corp Reserves and received an Honorable Discharge.  Throughout his career, he was asked to start various specialty courts, among which was the Veterans Mental Health Court, Juvenile Drug Court and Truancy Court.  He is a former member of the Board of David Lawrence Mental Health Center and Guadalupe Center, which serves underprivileged migrant children and he is an Honorary Board Member of the Friends of Foster Care Counsel which honored him as a Person of Distinction for his work with Foster Children.  He is also a member of the Florida State Bar, the New York Bar and the Washington D.C. Bar associations.
 

The contributions of Judge Daniel Monaco have impacted us all and we are honored to induct him into the Schenectady City School District Hall of Fame.