Dr. P. Jacob Varghese

01/12/1936 - 12/03/2025

Dr. P. Jacob Varghese, beloved husband, father, and grandfather, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, at George Washington University Hospital, where he treated patients and taught medical students, residents, and fellows for more than three decades.

Born in Ernakulam, Kerala, India in 1936, Dr. Varghese was the youngest of six children. After graduating from medical school in Trivandrum, Kerala, he immigrated to the United Kingdom, where he served as a fellow of both the Royal College of Physicians in London and the Royal College of Physicians in Edinburgh. In 1966, he moved to Baltimore, Maryland, where he worked as a Professor of Pediatric Cardiology at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Dr. Varghese moved to Washington, DC in 1979 to join the medical faculty at George Washington University, where he served as a Professor of Medicine and cardiologist for over 30 years, including as the Director of the Coronary Care Unit. Dr. Varghese was a pioneer in the field of Cardiac Electrophysiology and founded George Washington University Hospital's Electrophysiology fellowship program in 1980. Dr. Varghese also spearheaded the Adult Congenital Heart Disease program there. In May 1991, Dr. Varghese had the honor of treating President George H.W. Bush after he experienced several abnormal heart episodes – a highlight of his career. In 2015, in recognition of his distinguished career, the Cardiology Department of George Washington University established the annual P. Jacob Varghese Professorship Lecture to invite experts in the field to speak on topics of interest. Dr. Varghese's numerous awards include the Best Teacher award from his students, residents and fellows, reflecting his passion for teaching and mentoring others.

Dr. Varghese's love for teaching and treating patients was only surpassed by his love for his family. In 1967, while at Johns Hopkins University, Dr. Varghese met his wife, Dr. Praymol Varghese. They were married for fifty-five years, and raised two children, Tracy Varghese McGeehan of Washington, DC and George P. Varghese of Cambridge, Massachusetts. Dr. Varghese loved spending time with his four grandchildren: Evelyn Praymol Varghese, Grace Monroe Varghese, Declan Jacob McGeehan, and Sadie Lily McGeehan.

A devoted, life-long Catholic, Dr. Varghese was active in the Syro-Malabar Church and the Indian-American Catholic Association. In 1997, he led the efforts to establish an oratory to commemorate Our Lady of Good Health Vailankanni, India at the Basilica of the National Shrine, in Washington, DC. In 2000, Dr. Varghese was one of the founding members of the Mother of Miracles organization, devoted to Our Lady of Good Health.

On Sundays, Dr. Varghese could often be found watching football, especially his beloved Washington Commanders. Every day, he read the newspaper from cover to cover and was always ready to engage in a lively political discussion. For over 40 years, he loved hosting family and friends at an annual Christmas Eve party at his home in Potomac.

A viewing will be held on December 17, 2025, from 3:30 to 5 p.m. A mass to celebrate Dr. Varghese's life will be held on December 18, 2025, beginning at 10:30 a.m. Both events will be held at St. Jane Frances de Chantal Catholic Church in Bethesda, Maryland. Reception to follow at the Marriott Bethesda Downtown beginning at 2:30 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the P. Jacob Varghese Visting Professor Lecture at George Washington University Heart and Vascular Institute. Donations may be sent to:
GW Advancement
C/o Lyndsay Pierson
2600 Virginia Ave., NW Ste 300
Washington, DC 20037