Penn School of Medicine Professor and Pennsylvania Hospital administrator Joseph P. Atkins Jr. died of a heart attack last Monday at the age of 63.
Atkins -- who served Penn Medicine for 30 years as a clinical professor and vice chairman of the Otorhinolaryngology Department-- is remembered for his contributions to education and the pioneering of new technology.
Joining the department and Penn's faculty in 1974, Atkins specialized in surgery of the frontal sinus and treatment of the windpipe using endoscopy, a procedure for visualizing the interior of hollow organs.
He also introduced new technology including carbon dioxide lasers and CO2 laser bronchoscopes, which are used in lung inspection and surgery.
"This is such a tremendous loss for Penn Medicine," said Arthur Rubenstein, executive vice president of the Penn Health System and dean of the Medical School, in a press release.
Atkins was acclaimed during his lifetime, having received the American Cancer Society's Humanitarian Award, the Penn Medicine Resident Teaching Award and the Jacob Ehrenzeller Award for service in medicine.
He also mentored, taught and worked with the Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders Center and the Joan Karnell Cancer Center.
Atkins was a Penn Medical School alumnus, earning his M.D. in 1966 and completing his residency at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine in Baltimore.
He was appointed to Penn's faculty two years after he received medical board certification in otolaryngology and head and neck surgery.
"I was proud to work with him," Otorhinolaryngology Professor Joel Blumin said.
"Dr. Atkins was a gentleman surgeon who had the respect of his colleagues and patients," he added.
Atkins is survived by his wife of 38 years, Maureen Atkins, as well as children Joseph Atkins III, Timothy Atkins, Elizabeth Kaminetz and Kathleen Atkins.
