John Francis Griffith M.D.

John Francis Griffith, M.D., 90, passed away peacefully on March 4, 2024. His devoted and beloved wife of 62 years, Shirley Shaw Griffith, and four children were by his side.
Born in Regina, Saskatchewan, on Valentine's Day, Dr. Griffith came to the United States in 1963 to continue his medical residency and fellowship training in Pediatric Neurology. An esteemed clinician and researcher with training in virology, his career took him to Case Western Reserve University/Cleveland Metropolitan General, Harvard University/Massachusetts General Hospital/Boston Children's, and Duke University. After years of caring for young patients and devoting himself to laboratory research, he ultimately found his way into medical leadership, as Chair of Pediatrics at The University of Tennessee and Medical Director of Le Bonheur Children's Hospital, President of the American Board of Pediatrics, and Executive Vice President for Health Sciences, Georgetown University.
Known for his attention to detail and highly competitive nature, Dr. Griffith excelled at every sport, read voraciously, learned constantly, lectured at the dinner table, and continued to challenge himself mentally and physically throughout his life. Dr. Griffith was a devout Catholic and committed himself to philanthropy, serving as a Knight of the Order of Malta. He held himself to the highest personal standards and expected the same of others.
Dr. Griffith was an adored son, brother, husband, father, uncle, and grandfather. He is survived by his wife, Shirley; his children, Kathleen, Karen, Kristine (Kevin), and Stuart; his siblings, Stu (Lucero), Heather, Patricia, and Peter (Elinor); his much loved grandchildren, Linda Kate, Margaret, Caroline, Joseph, Katherine, Emma, Jackson, and Hank; and many nieces and nephews. In addition, he leaves behind countless friends, students, physicians, nurses, and others who benefitted from his example of excellence and perseverance.
A funeral Mass will be held on March 16 at 10 a.m. at St. Bartholomew Catholic Church, Bethesda. In lieu of flowers, donations are requested to The John F. Griffith, M.D. Endowed Scholarship at Georgetown University (give.georgetown.edu; choose "Other" and type in "John F. Griffith, M.D. Endowed Scholarship Fund").