Michael Buckley, MD
On July 14, current and former PAH staff and family members gathered in the Zubrow Auditorium to honor and remember the life of Michael Buckley, MD, who passed away on April 9. Buckley was a highly respected and beloved leader of the PAH community, serving as a key physician who helped patients in the HIV epidemic, section chief of Infectious Diseases, Chair of Medicine, Chief Medical Officer (CMO), and finally, Chief Executive Officer of PAH, up until his retirement in 2014.
“When I was [Buckley’s] fellow in the ‘80s, I would see him pause to say hello and talk with staff in the hallways. He would dispense equal measures of humanity and medical guidance to his patients with HIV – that was training beyond infectious diseases,” said PJ Brennan, MD, CMO of Penn Medicine, during his speech at the memorial. “He was more than a clinical role model. He was an exemplar for how to be human.”
During his 40 years of service at PAH, Buckley played integral roles in the expansion of the hospital. He held an especially pivotal position in PAH’s transition as an independent facility to a hospital affiliated with the University of Pennsylvania Health System in 1997. To ensure a smooth transition to Penn, Buckley built relationships with Chairs and Health System leaders to discuss goals for the future of PAH. Near his retirement, he supported the development of palliative care services at PAH, which provide consultations for symptom management to help patients with chronic progressive disorders.
Buckley also received numerous awards for his clinical expertise as a doctor and educator, becoming a mentor to generations of physicians. He received the Edward C. Viner Outstanding Teacher Award in 1979, along with the Alfred Stengel Health System Champion Award in 2004, which recognizes physician leaders across the health system whose contributions have improved the quality and delivery of patient care.
“He took incredible pride at the accomplishments of those he led and cared for. He was happiest when team members were successful and deservedly recognized,” said Michael Braffman, MD, former chairman of Medicine at PAH, who retired this year. “A good leader makes followers, but a great leader, as [Buckley] was, makes leaders.”
A husband, father of three kids, and grandfather of seven grandchildren, Buckley emphasized the importance of spending time with family. “He taught us to have the confidence and strength to know when your work was done, to step aside, and devote what time you are given to family,” said Braffman.
Daniel Feinberg, MD, CMO at PAH, recalled a meeting 17 years ago in which he updated Buckley on several projects he had been working on. He mentioned his son’s Little League baseball game that evening, but wasn’t sure if he would make it on time with the workload. “[Buckley] smiled and told me to leave and go to the game,” said Feinberg.
Buckley’s legacy lives on through the colleagues he worked closely with, who continue to follow his values of integrity and authenticity in their work at the hospital, and in their everyday lives.
“He always gave sage advice and led by example, treating people with respect even in the most challenging times. Those of us who had the privilege to work with [Buckley] are carrying on his commitment to care,” said Feinberg. “He helped prepare us all to carry that torch forward.”