Johann Ringler is the name of a physician who was one of Konner's medical heroes. He specialized in adolescent growth and sexual development disorders that he treated in the pediatric endocrinology clinic. Dr. Ringler was the most sensitive clinician Konner met. He was beloved by the children and teenagers he treated. He treated juvenile diabetic and anorexic patients with simple clear deals. For example, he offered outpatient treatment to a sixteen-year-old girl as long as she gained a pound a week. If she did not gain, he would return her to the hospital where she would be confined to bed and watched constantly. When she broke her promise, Ringler kept his and hospitalized her to gain the weight she promised.