In Memoriam: Joseph A. Paris, MD, Cardiologist and Medical Educator

A UB faculty member since 1995, Paris retired from clinical care in 2013 but continued to train UB medical students, residents and fellows. His professional interests centered on interventional cardiology and the treatment and care of patients with ischemic heart disease.

“He will be missed by us all, and we extend our deepest sympathy and condolences to his family,” said Michael E. Cain, MD, vice president for health sciences and dean of the School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences.

Paris was lauded as an astute invasive cardiologist by Anne B. Curtis, MD, Charles and Mary Bauer Professor and chair of medicine, and an internationally recognized cardiologist.

“He trained many fellows in cardiac catheterization and provided the highest quality interventional cardiology care to patients at the Buffalo General Medical Center,” she said.

“Dr. Paris will be remembered by faculty colleagues, staff and cardiology fellows for his commitment to our trainees, his extensive knowledge about historic advances in cardiology that occurred throughout his career, and his dry but warm sense of humor,” added John M. Canty Jr., MD, Albert and Elizabeth Rekate Professor and chief of cardiovascular medicine.

“Throughout his career, Paris was highly committed to educating physicians in cardiology,” noted Canty.

As director of UB’s cardiology fellowship program for the past five years, Paris realigned training rotations with new cardiovascular services developed at the Gates Vascular Institute.

Under his leadership, the cardiology training program received the highest commendation of excellence granted by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education.

Paris earned his medical degree at Yale University in 1971 and completed postgraduate training in medicine. He also completed subspecialty cardiology training in the military and pursued a distinguished career as a cardiologist with the U.S. armed services.

For the U.S. Army, Paris directed cardiology training and served as an interventional cardiologist and chief of cardiology at Letterman Army Medical Center in San Francisco. He was awarded the Army Commendation Medal and Meritorious Service Medal in 1991, and he retired as a colonel in 1994 before beginning his career at UB.

Paris was a life member of the Association of Military Surgeons as well as a member of the American Heart Association and fellow of the American College of Cardiology.

Paris is survived by two brothers and two sisters as well as nieces and nephews.