Paul Isakson

1937 - 2016

Paul J. Isakson, M.D.

October 26, 1937-September 25,2016

Paul J. Isakson, born 26 October, 1937, retired to Eagle Point, Oregon in 2009 and died from compliications of renal failure with a significant antecedent renal sepsis at the Asante Medical Center in Medford, Oregon on 25 September 2016.
Paul was born in St. Paul, Minnesota on October 26, 1937. His undergraduate education was at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota and he received his medical degree from the University of Minnesota School of Medicine in 1963. His internship and residency were done at the Southern Pacific Memorial Hospital in San Francisco. He served in the United States Navy at the Naval Hospital at St. Albans, Long Island, New York.
Paul was in private practice in San Francisco from 1969 with affiliations at Davies Medical Center, St. Francis Memorial Hospital, St. Mary's Hospital, and the Sutter Group of Hospitals through the time that he assumed the role of Medical Director at Laguna Honda Hospital on a full time basis. He was appointed to the Mayor's Long Term Care Coordinating Council in 2004 and the Laguna Honda Hospital Assisted Living Advisory Group in 2006. He retired to Eagle Point, Oregon in 2009 where he enjoyed his passion for gardening and being with his second life partner, James Johnson. His first life partner, Robert Noeltner, died of lung cancer several years before he had the joy of living with James Johnson. Paul always considered himself the luckiest person on earth to have been blessed with 2 such meaningful and fulfilling relationships.

Paul J. Isakson was a committed Clinician of the highest order and developed a professional, caring, and continual relationship with all he served over his years of practice and his administrative roles at Laguna Honda Hospital. During the AIDS crisis he was on the forefront of new therapies including the AZT trials and subsequent therapies. His commitment to the LGBTQ community was unwavering through his many years in practice and while in command at Laguna Honda Hospital notwithstanding his continued care to the many families and their loved ones he served while in practice in San Francisco.

Additionally Paul loved committee work at all his hospitals and never faltered in his commitment to the best medical care possible by whatever changes might be made for improvement.

A memorial service took place for Dr. Isakson at Laguna Honda Hospital on 05 October 2016 at which time many colleagues, nurses, staff, and friends recounted their many experiences with him over a lifetime of service to the patients and friends he loved and to the city of his dreams, San Francisco.

A fund will be established for recognition in his honor at Laguna Honda Hospital. Please contact Jerome Goldstein, MD regarding the Paul J. Isakson memorial. Contributions can be made to the Diversity Foundation of San Francisco (divsf.org) or contact Jerome Goldstein, MD at jgoldstein@sfcrc.org or 415-279-6952 for further information.

Submitted by Jerome Goldstein, MD