Berks County Medical Society Medical Record Winter 2021 - 22

M e d i c a l R ec o r d F e a t u r e

PAT SHARMA, MD

RETIRES AFTER 50+ YEAR
MEDICAL CAREER
by D. Michael Baxter, MD

P

athanjali " Pat " Sharma, MD,
Chair of Surgery for many
years at the Penn State Health
St. Joseph's Medical Center and a
Past President of the Berks County Medical Society (BCMS) in
2004, has stepped into a new " retirement role " following a 50 year
medical career. Pat was raised in Bangalore India and attended
medical school in Bellary winning many honors. He arrived
in the U.S. in 1972 to complete an internship at Cook County
Hospital in Chicago, followed by a General Surgery residency
and Vascular Surgery Fellowship at New York Medical College.
Following graduation, he was in private practice and taught at New
York Medical College from 1978-1993 when he was recruited to
St. Joseph's Hospital in Reading to build a vascular/endovascular
service. Over the ensuing 27 years Pat has served as Surgery Chair,
President of the St. Joseph's Medical staff and in many other clinical
and administrative roles at that institution. It is no joke to say
that as a surgeon in Reading, Pat has " left his mark " on thousands
of patients, touched many lives with his compassion and skill and
been a valued colleague to his friends and peers.
Pat says he was inspired to follow a career in medicine by an
American thoracic surgeon (Dr. Mascarenas) who was working in
India and performed a life saving lobectomy on Pat's older brother
who had contracted tuberculosis. Pat's brother recovered and was

a strong supporter of Pat's
goals as were the rest of his
close family. Indeed close
family support and contact
have been a key element in
Pat's journey to professional
success.
Over these past 27
years in Berks County, Pat
has also been a leader in
the Berks County Medical
Society serving as President
(2004), a member of the
Executive Council and
many committees. One of
his greatest contributions
has been his support for the
creation of the Pat Sharma
President's Scholarship,
which supports undergraduate and medical students who pursue
summer research internships under the tutelage of BCMS
physicians and staff. He is very honored to support these bright,
energetic students in their pursuit of careers in health care. It was
also his way to thank his many medical society colleagues and peers
with whom he has worked and shared collegial
bonds over these many years.
Pat plans for the moment to relax and
enjoy the extra time with his family. Once
COVID restrictions are lifted he would like
to volunteer to provide care for those most in
need in India. Whatever he chooses to do, his
many friends know that he will do it well with
the same skill, compassion and sincerity that
he brought to his work for so many in Berks
County. Best wishes Pat and thank you for
your care and your friendship.

22

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Berks County Medical Society Medical Record Winter 2021

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