Paul Stefan Fekete, M.D.

Dr. Paul Stefan Fekete died suddenly at home in Atlanta on February 10th, 2025 following a brief respite from an extended illness.

Dr. Fekete was the chief surgical pathologist at Gwinnett Medical Hospital, serving the Atlanta area for over thirty years. He was the founder and CEO of MediaLab Inc., a medical laboratory and hospital management company. In addition, he was an accomplished real estate community developer, cofounder and president of Gwinnett Pathology Associates, and dedicated assistant and associate professor at Emory University Medical School and the Medical College of Georgia, respectively. Dr. Fekete was an innovative, dynamic, and resilient man who believed "the true success is to labour...For every step... is an act of grace." (Robert Louis Stevenson)

Born on February 8th, 1954 in Youngstown, Ohio to Miklos and Elizabeth Riener Fekete, he was a first generation American who was self-reliant and individually motivated. He attended Cheney High School, class of 1972. He graduated Summa Cum Laude from Youngstown State University, Class of 1976, with a B.A. in Organic Chemistry, Dr. Fekete earned his medical degree, cum laude, from the Ohio State University Medical School in 1979, and completed his residency in pathology at Emory University Medical School in 1983. He completed his fellowship in surgical pathology at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in 1984, and in cytopathology in 1989.

During Dr. Fekete's medical career at Gwinnett Medical Center, he was dedicated to the hospital, committed to the staff, and devoted to the community. In developing Gwinnett Pathology Associates PC, he valued the partnership with engaging and innovating pathologists and staff. Dr. Fekete established MediaLab Inc. in 1994. He saw a need for clinical lab quality management and education throughout hospitals, laboratories, and health systems. He cherished each member of the MediaLab team and recognized their talents, gifts and extraordinary skills. Nationally, Dr. Fekete received the 2011 Lifetime Achievement Award from the College of American Pathologists.

Dr. Fekete possessed an enduring perpetual drive to challenge himself in thought and action. Finding joy and wonder in the sacred and profane, he embraced life with profound appreciation, never ceasing "...to strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield." (Tennyson) Paul is survived by his wife, Sara Williams Fekete; his three children Charlotte (Johnny) Autry, Christine (Jonathan) Gach, and Stephanie Fekete; his stepdaughter Sara Blake McDaniel; his three grandchildren, Wyatt Autry, Andrew and Alan Gach; his former wife Vicki Shockley; his three brothers, Christopher, Matthew and Fritz Fekete; and his nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents. H. M. Patterson assisted the family. The funeral and graveside service was held at the Cathedral of St. Philip. Reception at home followed. Those wishing to make a contribution kindly consider supporting the Children's Literature for Children, Inc. (www.childrensliterature.org)