Joseph Patterson M.D.

Family-Placed Death Notice

Joseph Hanan Patterson, M.D., 91, of Atlanta, GA, passed away April 27, 2006. A memorial service will be held TODAY, May 3, 2006 at the Temple at 2:30 pm with Rabbi Fred Reeves, officiating with a reception following the ceremony. Born and raised in Hendersonville, NC, Dr. Patterson graduated from high school at age 14. He attended Riverside Military Academy in Gainesville, GA before going to college at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill graduating at age 19 and attaining Phi Beta Kappa membership. He attended Vanderbilt University Medical School. His medical training included a clinical internship at Newark Beth Israel Hospital in Newark, NJ and a Pediatric residency at Vanderbilt University Hospital in Nashville, TN. He served in the U.S. Army Medical Corps in WWII from 1941-1946. His tour of duty included posts as a Assistant Chief of Medicine at Fort McPherson, GA, Chief of Infections Disease, 69th General Hospital, Ledo Assam, and Okinawa, Japan. He moved to Atlanta and started a private practice. In 1947, he married Ruby Shefsky to whom he was married for 55 years who predeceased him in 2003. In his early career, he created a residency program and neonatal intensive care unit at Crawford Long Hospital, Atlanta where he served as Chief of Service and Director of Pediatric Education from 1947-1959. Emory University appointed him Assistant Clinical Professor of Pediatric Medicine from 1948-1957. In 1959, Dr. Patterson left his private practice to become Chief Physician at Henrietta Egleston Hospital for Children at Emory University in Atlanta, GA, serving for 35 years. In 1962, he became a full Professor of Pediatrics at Emory. Besides teaching, he was active in clinical research with his main interests in juvenile rheumatoid arthritis and human growth disorders. In 1984, he became an Administrative Medical Consultant on child health advocacy issues and Professor of Pediatrics Emeritus. Dr. Patterson's numerous professional memberships included the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Georgia Academy of Pediatrics, both of which he served as chairman. He was awarded many honors, most recently, the 1999 Atlanta Business Chronicle Healthcare Hero Award for his contribution to the healthcare profession and community. In addition to his life-long commitment to pediatrics, Dr. Patterson served his community and religious community as a member of the Council for Children, the Jewish Children's Service, Camp Twin Lakes, and other organizations. He was a member of The Temple on Peachtree Road, Atlanta, GA, and served as a board member in the early 1960's. He was a teacher, administrator, physician, and researcher all at the same time excelling at all. But his interest in people and his kindness seems to be the most notable. Dr. Patterson is survived by his three children: Dr. Jeffrey Patterson of Tacoma, WA, Paul Patterson of Roswell, GA, and Ellen Taranto of Rockville, MD; six grandchildren; several nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Camp Twin Lakes, Children's Healthcare Foundation of Atlanta, or the Jewish Educational Loan Foundation. Funeral arrangements have been made by the National Cremation Society.