George Harkins was more than just a pediatrician.
In many cases, he was like family to his patients, some of whom called him “Uncle George.”
“He was sort of a throwback to the doctor who would make house calls and actually spend time talking to the patients,” said Scott Silliman, Harkins’ son-in-law. “He would spend as much time as he needed to make sure the child and the parents were informed and happy.”
Harkins excelled at practicing medicine. After attending Boston College, he earned his medical degree from Georgetown University and spent his residency at Boston Children’s Hospital. He was a teaching fellow at Harvard University during his last year of residency.
He established Rhinebeck Pediatrics Associates in New York, and when the family moved to Douglasville in 1979, he established Douglas Pediatrics.
Douglas Pediatrics was, at one time, one of the largest pediatric practices in the Atlanta area, say friends and family.
“My dad, he’s always been my hero, the light of my life and a person who was larger than life,” said Erin Harkins-Silliman, Harkins’ daughter. “I think that was true for so many people.” She and her husband Scott own a dental practice next door to Douglas Pediatrics.
George L. Harkins Jr. died July 16 from complications of esophageal cancer. He was 76. The funeral will be at 2 p.m. July 19 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church. Interment will follow at Arlington Memorial Park in Sandy Springs. Whitley-Garner at Rosehaven Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Silliman said Harkins would counsel children as well as diagnose their maladies. “He added that to his practice because he could see that some people just needed some counseling. He would not just write a prescription. He would actually talk to them.”
Harkins helped many of his patients join the military and enroll in college. He even wrote to congressmen so some of his patients could attend West Point, said friend and colleague Richard Baldwin.
“He was very effective at helping kids get into the right college for them, for the right training programs,” said Baldwin. “Much like a grandfather or parent would guide someone.”
As much as Harkins loved his practice, he loved his family more, and always made sure he spent time with them.
“Some of his proudest moments were attending (his grandsons’) cross-country meets,” said Silliman.
George Harkins is survived by his wife Jo Ann Harkins, daughter Erin Harkins-Silliman and two grandsons, all of Douglasville.
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