Sheldon Joseph M.D.

1923 - 2014

Sheldon W. Joseph, M.D.
1923-2014
Dr. Sheldon Joseph, 91, died on December 17, 2014. He was born in Chicago, Illinois on September 5, 1923 to Anna and Nelson Joseph. After high school he served in the US Army and graduated from University of Minnesota School of Medicine in 1948. On October 23, 1948 he married his loving wife, Betty and they began their life together for the next 66 years.
He completed his internship at Detroit Receiving Hospital in 1949. He began his Pediatric residency at Fitzsimons Army Hospital in Denver, Colorado in 1949, until he was assigned as the Chief of the Women's and Children's services in Yokohama, Japan during the Korean War from 1949-1952. After three years in Japan, he returned to the United States and completed his Pediatric residency at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio. He became Board Certified in Pediatrics and was elected as a Fellow in the American Academy of Pediatrics in 1955. Upon his honorable discharge from the US Army as a Major in the Medical Corps, he settled in Houston, Texas with his wife Betty and daughters Bernice and Karen where he joined the MacGregor Medical Group as its first pediatrician. He practiced pediatrics for many years at MacGregor Medical Clinic and Texas Children's Hospital. Wherever he went throughout the Houston area, he would be greeted by members of the many families and children he had cared for in his practice.
Over the course of his career he was instrumental in establishing the first HMO in Texas, Prucare, and served as the Medical Director of MacGregor Medical Clinic and Prucare for over 15 years. He served as the President of the Houston Pediatric Society from 1970-1972, and then served as the President of the Texas Pediatric Society in 1978. In 1974 he was inducted as a Charter Member of the American Academy of Medical Directors and in 1982 became a member of the American College of Physician Executives. At the time of his retirement in 1989 MacGregor Medical Group had flourished under his leadership and had grown into one of the largest multispecialty group practices in Texas.
Following his retirement, he and Betty continued their life-long love of travel. They enjoyed spending time with friends and family at Glen Acres, their farm located in the Independence, Texas area. He is survived by his wife of 66 years Betty, and his daughter Bernice and beloved grandchildren Leslie (28) and Adam (22) Rice. He was predeceased by his daughter Karen.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Texas Children's Hospital for the care of indigent children, 6621 Fannin Street in Houston, TX.