Gerardo Voci, 92, expert in cardiac catheterization
Dr. Voci, a native Italian, was recruited by a prominent Philadelphia surgeon. He came here in 1955 and lent his skills to the fledgling field of cardiac catheterization.
Gerardo Voci, 92, formerly of Rydal, an expert in cardiac catheterization, died Monday, June 5, of heart disease at a nursing facility in Grosse Pointe Woods, Mich.
Dr. Voci directed the catheterization lab at Women's Medical College (WMC) from 1959 to 1966, and a similar lab at Episcopal Hospital from 1966 to 1992. In 1958, along with Dr. Eva Fernandez Fox, he attracted attention for performing the first cardiac catheterization at WMC, according to a 2000 book on the institution, A New and Untried Course by Steven J. Peitzman.
"Cardiac catheterization typified the rise of high-technology medicine beginning in the 1950s, and it is of interest that its first tentative appearance grew out of a collaboration between a well-known WMC insider and a male outsider with exotic background," Peitzman wrote.
The seventh of eight children, Dr. Voci was born in the southern Italian mountain town of Sant' Andrea.
He studied medicine at the University of Rome and the University of Paris. His specialty was cardiology with a sub-specialty in cardiac catheterization.
In the late 1940s and early 1950s, some aspects of cardiology were more advanced in Europe than in the United States, so American surgeons sought to import talent. Prominent Philadelphia heart specialist Thomas O'Neil asked Dr. Voci to come here to practice, and in 1955, he emigrated from Italy with his wife, Rosa. The couple made their home in Elkins Park, and then Rydal before moving to the Midwest in 1998.
Dr. Voci held several academic positions at what is now the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University until rising to full professor. He retired in 1998.
His son, Gregory P., said his father was very popular with the Episcopal staff and passionate about the practice and teaching of cardiology.
"One of his greatest professional joys was training fellows in the use of cardiac catheterization," his son said.
In 1992, the hospital created the Gerardo Voci Award for Excellence in Cardiology, given annually to the most outstanding fellow. A year later, Dr. Voci was recognized by the Italian government as a Distinguished Son of Italy, Abroad.
Dr. Voci was devoted to his family and his rose garden. In retirement, he and his wife moved to be close to their granddaughters. He enjoyed cooking and the companionship of his Bichon Frise, Antoine.
When his wife, an Alzheimer's patient, was placed in a nursing home, Dr. Voci took Antoine to visit her every day for several years. She died in 2015. Antoine is in the care of a family friend.
Besides his son, Dr. Voci is survived by son James M.; four granddaughters, and a brother in Italy.
A 9:30 a.m. visitation will be followed by a 10 a.m. memorial Mass on Friday, June 16, at St. Paul on the Lake Catholic Church, 157 Lake Shore Rd., Grosse Pointe Farms, Mich. Burial is private.
Memorial donations may be made to the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, 3500 N. Broad St., Philadelphia 19140.