Dr. Melvin Judkins directed the planning and radiology equipment selection for the Jerry L. Pettis Memorial Veterans Medical Center and the Loma Linda University Faculty Medical Offices. He constructed second and third cardiovascular laboratories to accommodate an increasing number of patients referred to LLUMC for laboratory studies.
In 1978, a stroke tragically overtook Dr. Judkins. But he courageously continued his non-clinical professional activities. In two decades, he had produced more than 160 scientific articles, monographs, book chapters, and major scientific exhibits. Unknown to him, his 1967 landmark article in Radiology became the most frequently cited paper in the journal from 1955 to 1986, with 648 citations. By March 1986, the former family doctor’s technique was facilitating the diagnosis and treatment of 600,000 patients a year.
Dr. Judkins served as president of the North American Society for Cardiac Radiology, president of the Society for Cardiac Angiography, and chair of the Inter-society Commission for Heart Disease Resources Radiology Study Group. He was a major participant in numerous national and international committees, including the Coronary Surgery Collaborative Study Committee of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. He also served on the editorial boards of the American Journal of Cardiology and Applied Radiology and as editorial consultant to Chest, Circulation, Radiology, and Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiology. The American Heart Association awarded him its Silver Medal for Distinguished Achievement.
From 1972 to 1978, Dr. Judkins served on the executive committee of the American Heart Association, Council on Cardiovascular Radiology. In 1976, he was appointed to the Panel on the Review of Radiological Devices, Bureau of Medical Devices and Diagnostic Products of the Food and Drug Administration. In 1978, he became chair of the Laboratory Performance Standards Committee of the Society for Cardiac Angiography, a position he held for seven years.
Additionally, Dr. Judkins received the silver medal of the American Roentgen Ray Society. In 1972, the Loma Linda University School of Medicine Alumni Association named him Alumnus of the Year. In 1983, the San Bernardino County Medical Society presented him the Outstanding Contribution to Medicine Award. He was a founding member of the Society of Cardiac Angiography and became its president and lifetime trustee. Following his stroke, Melvin and his wife Eileen Judkins published 27 major articles and book chapters, works that had considerable impact.
Radiologists, cardiologists, and cardiac surgeons eulogized Dr. Judkins as one of the giants in cardiovascular medicine. He became a master with his tools, an artist in angiography.
Mrs. Judkins summarizes her husband’s contributions: “The quality of coronary artery images he advocated contributed to the rapid development of surgery for coronary artery disease…. He charted a course followed by radiologists and cardiologists, a tacit tribute to his preeminence in both fields…. He never sought to patent nor did he ever receive any monetary rewards for any of the cardiovascular tools or devices he developed…. When asked once why he did not patent his devices, he replied that he wanted to make safe coronary arteriography available to as many patients as possible. The fact that most catheterization laboratories in the world use the Judkins technique for selective coronary arteriography is evidence that his desire is accomplished. His reward was the knowledge that he touched the lives of millions—not just patients entrusted to his care, but physicians and laboratory team members he inspired who in turn touch an ever-expanding circle of patients as they teach others.
Dr. Melvin Judkins’ colleague, Winston A. Mitchell, MD, eulogized his friend as “a giant in modern cardiovascular diagnosis, a creative genius, a master teacher, and a tireless worker. He was folksy, artfully humorous, intensely practical, and a marvel in making the complex simple.
David B. Hinshaw, Sr., MD, former dean of the School of Medicine, spoke at Dr. Melvin Judkins’ memorial service. In part he said, “What happened was dramatic and exponential. There was a burst of activity. A whole cluster of papers, exhibits, and major contributions to angiography in its various forms, particularly of the heart, burst forth from that department, and primarily from Mel Judkins.
“He became internationally known…. His technique was perfected to the point of being usable, exportable, and teachable…. Very rapidly the department of radiology at LLUMC became a focal point for the world of angiography, particularly coronary angiography. A vast entourage of visitors and seekers after information came here to see these angiograms, how they were performed…. He stood for excellence. He stood for devotion to his Alma Matter.”
F. Mason Sones, Jr., MD, Senior Physician in the Department of Cardiology at the Cleveland Clinic, and developer of the Sones Technique of Coronary Arteriography, became honorary chair of the Melvin P. Judkins Endowment Fund and wrote in part: “All of us, who, during the past thirty years have been involved in the development and improvement of diagnostic techniques to better understand the problems of patients with heart disease have good reason to be deeply appreciative of the outstanding leadership and the many significant contributions made by Dr. Melvin Judkins…. He has a rare genius for making complex problems simple, and as a teacher has consistently and unstintingly given his peers and students the benefit of his insights.
Norman E. Shumway, MD, PhD, professor and Chair of the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery at Stanford University School of Medicine, lauded Dr. Judkins for his contributions to coronary artery surgery: “I believe the Judkins technique is the safest and most widely used of the various methods for visualizing the coronary artery system. It must be pointed out also that Mel Judkins always gave the most lucid and interesting presentations of any coronary arteriographer in the entire field. Judkins was one of those rare individuals who have made a tremendous change in the practice of medicine.”