In Remembrance
George Gataky, MD August 27, 1934-April 18, 2025
When I arrived in Louisville in July 1977, Dr. Gataky was an involved member of the volunteer faculty in the Division of Dermatology. At that time, we had Journal Club on Monday mornings and Grand Rounds on Tuesday mornings and Dr. Gataky was an active participant in both sessions. He never missed either of these conferences, even though his private practice was located miles from our offices or the Veterans Administration Medical Center where the sessions were held. In addition, George regularly staffed a clinic at the Medical Center and interacted with dermatology residents, medicine residents, pediatric residents and medical students regularly.
George was a graduate of the University of Iowa School of Medicine and began his dermatology residency at UofL. He continued his training( second and third years of dermatology residency) at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, Michigan, before returning to begin a private practice in Louisville.
Dr. Gataky regularly presented patients at Grand Rounds, which he felt helped teach residents and students, but also helped his patients. George had a dry and charming sense of humor and proffered the proper spelling and pronunciation of many dermatological diseases / disorders during the Grand Rounds. We miss his wisdom and wit that was displayed at these sessions.
Dr. Gataky was the President of the Kentucky Dermatology Association relatively early in his career and then became its Secretary-Treasurer for almost two decades. We used to refer to him as“ Secretary-Treasurer for Life.” He did pass that job on eventually.
In 2005 I submitted his name, and the American Academy of Dermatology selected him for consideration of an award named“ Members Making a Difference,” and he was selected and featured in an article that appeared in Dermatology World. In it he was quoted as saying that upon his return to Louisville,“ I decided to give back some of what I received when I returned after completing my residency at Henry Ford Hospital. These activities give me the opportunity to interact with my colleagues, share interesting patients and obtain helpful comments about problems which keeps us on our toes.” This type of involvement that was mutually beneficial for George as well as those of us who were present exemplifies the high level of commitment to continuing professional education and development that should be a part of everyone’ s post-residency behavior.
George and his wife Rita were devout Catholics, attending Mass weekly on Saturday evening prior to social activities. They had an active social life but always were available for social events that involved the Kentucky Dermatology Association and the Division of Dermatology.
Upon his passing, several of our prior residents sent some of the following comments:“ He was a wonderful man and has been an asset to the dermatology community for my entire career.”“ A quiet, kind gentleman. May he rest in peace.”“ I remember George from back in the mid‘ 80s when I was a resident. He used to carry a hand-held magnifying glass. With it, he could detect scabies mites and pick them out with an # 11 blade. Never seen anyone do it like that. May he rest in peace.”“ I remember Dr. Gataky as welcoming, loyal, helpful and trusting.” and“ I remember George as a soft-spoken gentleman and a good clinician.”
In honor of George Gataky’ s presence in our Division and the lives of the multitude of residents and students with whom he interacted; we have renamed our Annual Volunteer Award as the
“ George Gataky Annual Volunteer Award.”
-Jeffrey P. Callen, MD
Dr. Gataky was a member of GLMS for 56 years.
32 LOUISVILLE MEDICINE