Dr. Borns, Radiology

Dr. Patricia F. Borns, professor emerita of radiology at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, passed away April 15, 2009. She was 87 years old.

Before coming to Penn, Dr. Borns was at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. She was promoted to associate professor of clinical radiology in the School of Medicine in 1971. She left Penn to head the radiology departments at Hahnemann University Hospital and the Alfred I. DuPont Hospital for Children in Delaware. Dr. Borns returned to Penn in the mid-1980s, at which time she was appointed professor of radiology at CHOP.

Considered a pioneer in pediatric radiology, Dr. Borns found that some problems that arise during cancer treatment in children can be eliminated if doctors are aware of what side effects to expect for specific drugs. In addition, recognizing the side effects that appear as tumors in the x-ray is important in preventing over treatment of a nonexistent recurrent malignancy or persisting treatment with a toxic agent.

Dr. Borns received her BSc from Purdue University and her MD from Women’s Medical College in Philadelphia where she was elected to Alpha Omega Alpha. She completed her internship at Philadelphia General Hospital and her residency and fellowship in radiology at the University of Pennsylvania.

Dr. Borns is survived by a son, David J.; a daughter, Jane; and a grandson, David; and cousins, Nina Krakenberg and Zane Murfitt.

A memorial service is planned for the fall in Philadelphia. Contributions may be made to the Princeton University Public Library, 65 Witherspoon Street, Princeton, NJ 08542.