George Podgorny

George Podgorny, M.D. of Winston Salem died Tuesday. Dr. Podgorny immigrated to the United States after completing high school and then graduated from Maryville College in Tennessee. He attended Medical School at Bowman Gray School of Medicine and completed his residency in Cardiothoracic Surgery there as well. His interest in trauma surgery led him to becoming one of the pioneers of the specialty of Emergency Medicine. He served as the first President of the American Board of Emergency Medicine and was past President of the American College of Emergency Physicians. He was recently honored as one of the founders of the specialty at the Scientific Assembly of ACEP and was featured in a documentary film about the creation of Emergency Medicine. He was instrumental in developing the EMS system and First Responder Program in North Carolina. Also, he served as the Medical Examiner for Forsyth County for many years. Dr. Podgorny was a staunch advocate for medical education in North Carolina and Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University offers the George Podgorny Scholarship for highest achieving medical student pursuing Emergency Medicine. One of his varied interests was herpetology, and he became recognized as a global expert in snake bites often fielding phone calls at all hours seeking advice on the appropriate treatment of snake bites and spider bites. He was a Renaissance man who spoke seven languages, lectured around the world on the history of medicine, published prolifically throughout his life, and had a keen appreciation of the Arts. He travelled the world and recently visited his mother's ancestral home in Armenia. He was a loving father and grandfather who devoted his life to his family. He is survived by his daughter, Adele (Keith), sons, Eman (Dianne) and George, Jr. and grandchildren Jordan and Sophia. The highlight of his later years has been doting on his grandchildren and watching them blossom into young adults. He was preceded in death by Emanuel Podgorny, Sr., Ernestine Podgorny and Gregory Podgorny. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Kate B. Reynolds Hospice Home. A memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m. Friday at Hayworth-Miller Funeral Home in Winston Salem.

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