 2008 - John J. Mikuta, C'48, M'48, INT'49, RES'54
Dr. John J. Mikuta is a distinguished physician, world-class medical innovator, loyal alumnus of the School of Medicine, and worthy recipient of the inaugural PENN Medicine Alumni Lifetime Achievement Award.
Dr. Mikuta served as chairman of Penn’s Division of Gynecologic Oncology for 30 years. He is considered one of the founding fathers of gynecologic oncology, for which he helped develop the board certification process. He is the Franklin Payne Professor Emeritus of Gynecologic Oncology at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine.
After earning both his his B.A. and M.D. from the University of Pennsylvania, Dr. Mikuta interned at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (HUP) from 1948 to 1949 and was a resident in obstetrics and gynecology there from 1951 to 1954. Between his internship and residency, he served in the U.S. Army at Osaka General Hospital and as assistant chief of the medical service at Camp Breckenridge Army Hospital. He was board certified in obstetrics and gynecology in 1957 and in gynecologic oncology 17 years later.
Dr. Mikuta joined the medical staff of the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in 1951 and was appointed assistant professor at the School of Medicine in 1962. He was promoted to full professor in 1972. In addition to his faculty appointments at HUP, Dr. Mikuta has held administrative positions at Philadelphia General Hospital (1951-1970) and Pennsylvania Hospital (honorary staff since 1975).
Dr. Mikuta is a member of many national professional and scientific societies, including the American Association for Advancement of Science, the American Gynecological and Obstetrical Society, the American Cancer Society, the American Medical Association, the American Radium Society, the International Federation of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the Planned Parenthood Federation of America, and the International Federation of Gynecologic Oncologists. In addition, he has been extremely active as a leader in local professional and scientific societies. These include the Philadelphia Division of the American Cancer Society, the Foundation of the Obstetrical Society of Philadelphia, the Obstetrical Society of Philadelphia, the Pennsylvania Oncologic Association, and the Pennsylvania State Medical Society.
Dr. Mikuta’s numerous awards and honors include the PENN Medicine Alumni Service Award in 1994, the J. Robert Willson Award from the Obstetrical Society of Philadelphia, the Jonathan Wainwright Award for Excellence in Cancer Research, and the Robert A. Ross Navy Award. He has also received the St. George Medal, the Distinguished Service Award, and the Humanitarian Award from the American Cancer Society, of which he is also an Honorary Life Member. Former Oncology Fellows honored him with a Festschrift in 1990 and by establishing the honorary John J. Mikuta Society in 1984.
Dr. Mikuta currently serves as chair of the PENN Medicine Class Agent program. He is the class agent for the Medical Class of 1948 and volunteers on their reunion committee. He joined the Medical Alumni Advisory Council (MAAC) in 2007, and previously served as a member of the Medical National Alumni Council, the PENN Medicine Alumni Executive Committee, and the health system board. He is a faithful supporter of medical education at Penn through the John J. Mikuta, M.D., Endowed Scholarship, which he established.
Dr. Mikuta enjoys retirement with his wife, Margaret, and his extended family. |
