Paul Joseph Bilka

Bilka, Paul Joseph, M.D. 94, a retired Rheumatologist died suddenly at his Tonka Bay home in Excelsior on Oct 30. He was predeceased by his wife Madge Mussey in 1993, both parents and his sister. He graduated from Trinity College and Columbia University School of Medicine in 1943. He served in the Army Medical Corps during World War II. He had residency training at the Hartford Hospital in Connecticut and the Mayo Clinic in Rochester before moving in 1950 to begin the first Rheumatology Practice in Minneapolis. He was a founding member of the National Society of Clinical Rheumatologists and recognized as a Master of the American College of Rheumatology in 1992. Paul was an outstanding physician and inspiring teacher who established the first rheumatology training program at the University of Minnesota. In addition to his private practice he was a Clinical Professor of Medicine, attending at the University of Minnesota Arthritis Clinic and Consultant at the Minneapolis VA Medical center for over 50 years. Paul was committed to medical education locally, nationally and internationally throughout his distinguished career. Paul and Madge were lifelong philanthropists supporting excellence in education by establishing endowed funds and scholarships at Trinity College, Carleton College, Case Western School of Nursing, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, the Mayo Clinic and the Abbott Northwestern Hospital Medicine Clinic Department of Medical Education. Tribute memorials are suggested to enhance the fund Paul established to support education and training of residents, medical students, nurses and other health care providers at the Abbott Northwestern Hospital Medicine Clinic, (for information 612-863-4126).

Published on November 5, 2013