George Atkinson Pankey MD

George Atkinson Pankey, MD, affectionately known as "Kin," passed away at St. Anna’s at Lambeth House in New Orleans, LA, on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at the age of 92. A loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, mentor, and friend, Kin leaves behind a profound legacy of medical excellence and familial devotion.

A native of Ruston, LA, and a longtime resident of New Orleans, he was preceded in death by his parents, Annabel Atkinson Pankey and George Edward Pankey; his first wife, Anne Schillin Pankey; and his second wife, Patricia Carreras Pankey. He is survived by his daughters, Susan Pankey Ives (Charles) of New Orleans and Laura Pankey Nel (Charles) of London, UK; his sons, Stephen Charles Pankey of Frankfort, KY, and Dr. Edward Atkinson Pankey (Aisha) of Massillon, OH; and his beloved grandchildren, Conrad Squire Nel, Jennifer Anne Nel, and Naina Rahman.

After graduating from Ruston High School, Kin attended Louisiana Tech University before transferring to Tulane University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in 1954 and his Doctor of Medicine in 1957. He completed his internship and residency in Internal Medicine at the University of Minnesota Hospitals in 1960, followed by a Master of Science in Internal Medicine, Microbiology, and Immunology in 1961.

Kin began his career in New Orleans in 1961 as a full-time instructor in Internal Medicine and Infectious Disease at Tulane University School of Medicine. In 1963, he began his career at Ochsner Clinic as a consultant in infectious disease, where he would remain for the duration of his medical career and life. Kin was known as an expert diagnostician, revered for his relentless dedication to solving difficult medical dilemmas and treating his patients with unwavering compassion. A true pioneer, he was one of the first physicians in the country to become board-certified in Infectious Diseases in 1972. At Ochsner, he founded the Section of Infectious Diseases and later established the official department and its Fellowship Training Program, serving as Department Chair and Program Director from 1972 to 1994.

Kin’s contributions extended well beyond the Ochsner Clinic and Hospital. He was co-founder of the New Orleans Citywide Infectious Disease Conference, a well-attended event which serves to foster collaboration and education among the infectious disease departments of hospitals in the greater New Orleans area. Throughout his career, Kin contributed to various local, national, and international committees and boards, actively shaping policy to advance the development and implementation of strategies for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of infectious diseases. He was frequently invited to serve as a speaker, presenter, exhibitor, and panelist at local, national, and international conferences. He was actively involved in numerous clinical trials that produced many of the therapeutic treatments used today.

Kin also maintained an active commitment to bench laboratory research. He established and self-funded The Infectious Disease Research Laboratory at Ochsner in 1999 to support his research, which remains active to this day pursuing the goal of developing and validating an in vitro method for the rapid determination of synergy between two or more antimicrobial agents against multi-drug-resistant bacteria and fungi. This research helps to combat anti-microbial resistance and evaluate rapid diagnosis of infectious disease.

Throughout his career Kin held appointments at Tulane University School of Medicine and Louisiana State University School of Dentistry. He was Senior Visiting Physician at Charity Hospital in New Orleans, served as Consultant Physician with the Department of Medicine, Veterans Administration Medical Center in Biloxi, MS, and numerous other institutions.

The designation of Master of the American College of Physicians in 2002, Ochsner’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2022, the American Medical Association Physician Recognition Award 1978-1981, the Clinician Award from the Infectious Disease Society of America 1996, Tulane Medical Alumni Association’s Outstanding Alumnus Award in 2015 are some of the most prestigious accolades he received.

Kin was a proud member of the Kappa Alpha Fraternity, the Empire Club, The Huguenot Society, Sons of the American Revolution and a 32nd degree Master Mason in Louisiana Lodge #102, Free and Accepted Masons. Attending almost every home game, Kin was a dedicated Saints fan and held season tickets from the franchise’s very beginning. He loved a good book, a glass of wine, and a lively game of bridge. His home was always filled with music, from 50s and 60s classics to the tropical sounds of Jimmy Buffett. Most of all, he loved being with his family, especially when traveling. He and his beloved wife, Pat, shared the adventures of their lifetimes together on two world cruises.

We who mourn the passing of Kin are forever grateful for his friendship, compassion, love, and support.

Our family would like to thank the Passionate Care team and the staff at Saint Anna’s at Lambeth House for the remarkable care given to Kin. Their compassion and dedication made a difference we will never forget.

Visitation will be held at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home at 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd. on Friday, April 10th from 4:00 to 7:00 pm. Funeral services and interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Pankey Family Caregiver Support Fund at Ochsner by visiting https://www.ochsner.org/pankey

The family invites you to share your thoughts, fond memories and condolences online at www.lakelawnmetairie.com