Heritage Snapshot: Part 202

LOMA LINDA >> George D. Chonkich, MD, was born in Brooklyn, New York, on December 26, 1934. He graduated from Atlantic Union College in South Lancaster, Massachusetts, in 1956. After graduating from the College of Medical Evangelists in Loma Linda, California, in 1960, he completed a one-year internship at the Los Angeles County General Hospital. Following a residency in Surgery at the Manhattan Veterans Administration Hospital in Manhattan, New York, in 1962, Dr. Chonkich served in the United States Army Medical Corps, Fort Jay, New York, from 1962 to 1964. In 1967, Dr. Chonkich completed a residency in Otolaryngology at the Bellevue Hospital Center in New York City, the oldest (1736) public hospital in the United States. He became board certified in Otolaryngology, and joined the faculty of New York University School of Medicine as Associate Clinical Professor of Otolaryngology. After a series of appointments in New York hospitals, including Chief of the Department of Otolaryngology at St. Joseph’s Hospital, Yonkers, New York, in 1977, Dr. Chonkich joined the faculty of the Loma Linda University School of Medicine as Associate Professor of Otolaryngology. From this position, in 1977 and 1978 he joined the medical staffs of Loma Linda University Medical Center, Riverside County Regional Medical Center, and Jerry L. Pettis Memorial Veterans Medical Center. In 1990, he became director of the Loma Linda University Medical Center Otolaryngology/Head & Neck Surgery residency program. Over the years Dr. Chonkich has been a fellow of the American Society of Head and Neck Surgery, and Fellow of the American Academy of Facial, Plastic, and Reconstructive Surgery. He also has been a member of the Society of University Otolaryngologists—Head & Neck Surgeons, and a fellow of the American Academy of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology. In 1993, Dr. Chonkich served as President of the Walter E. Macpherson Society, an organization which promotes the advancement of undergraduate and graduate teaching programs through financial support to Loma Linda University School of Medicine and to foster and strengthen unity and loyalty among the School of Medicine Alumni and friends. Throughout his career, Dr. Chonkich has enjoyed interacting with resident physicians and patients, and helping his patients address their health problems. Most of his patients have needed surgery for head and neck cancer. Dr. Chonkich’s father-in-law, George H. Petti, Sr, MD (featured last week), an Otolaryngologist with whom he practiced in New York for five years, had a major influence on his career. Dr. Chonkich and his wife Nanette have three children.