Dr. Joseph L. Ponka
Dr. Joseph L. Ponka was a dedicated and internationally known surgeon in the field of hernia research. His prolific medical-surgical writing career produced over 115 publications during his fifty years of service at Henry Ford Hospital. His 1980 book, Hernias of the Abdominal Wall, was used in the teaching of surgical residents.
Dr. Ponka came to the Hospital in 1942 for his medical internship. He left to serve in the Philippines as an army physician conducting research on the therapeutic effects of the antibiotic penicillin. Dr. Ponka returned to Henry Ford Hospital in 1951 as a staff surgeon and went on to hold the positions of the Chief of the Fourth Surgical Division, Director of the Surgical Education program, and Medical Director of the West Bloomfield Center from 1978-1985.
His West Virginian quick sense of humor and unique playfulness were admired by the staff of the hospital. Dr. Ponka treated each day as an adventure. In the operating room he was firm in his command of the students, but lightened the atmosphere with the familiar exclamation of "Dockey boy" or "Dockey girl." This special collaboration among his students led to the 1990 "Dr. Ponka Caring Physician Award" and later the "Dr. Ponka Teaching Award." He treated his colleagues as family and participated in the winning hospital bowling league and festive summer picnics.
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Dr. Ponka (third from right) with residents, 1968. From the Conrad R. Lam Collection, Henry Ford Health System. |