Pamela C. Tucker,MD
Pamela C. Tucker, MD was born in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania but spent her early years in Richmond, Virginia where her father as well as grandfather were well-known neurologists.
Her desire to be a physician began as a child when she would accompany her father to his office on Saturdays.
She graduated from St. Catherine’s School in 1966 where she excelled in sports and participated in competitive diving. Pamela would often regale her friends in later years with tales of the antics of her and her friends during the St. Catherine years. She received her bachelor’s degree in fine arts in 1970 from the University of Colorado.
After graduation, she sought employment as a laboratory technician at Goergetown University Hospital and, in her free time, began studies in science in preparation for medical school. Pamela entered the Georgetown University School of Medicine and subsequently graduated in 1983. She undertook her Internal Medicine training for three years at Northwestern University /McGraw Medical Center followed by her Infectious Diseases Fellowship at Johns Hopkins. During her clinical year of Infectious Diseases training, she helped to inaugurate the Osler 8 HIV medical service. Her research training was conducted in the laboratory of Dr. Diane Griffin and was focused on understanding the molecular mechanism(s) of Sindbis virus neurovirulence.
She joined the faculty of the Infectious Diseases Division at Johns Hopkins in 1990 and maintained appointments in three departments, the Departments of Medicine, Neurology and Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, over the ensuing 10 years. In 1997, she chose to leave the laboratory and pioneered the development of an infectious diseases service devoted to the care of organ transplant patients for which she took round-the-clock call.
Pamela was a staunch supporter of the education of medical students and junior colleagues and committed to promoting the status of women physicians and investigators within Johns Hopkins. She was known for personally providing student stipends and for her timely and thoughtful advice to fellows and junior faculty.
In 1999, she assumed the Directorship of the Pearl M. Stetler Research Fund for women physicians.
In her free time, Pamela was an ardent reader and enjoyed national and international travel. At her home in Sherwood Forest on the Severn River she frequently entertained and pursued outdoor activities including kayaking. She enjoyed her West Highland terrier, Katie, and her cockatiel, Wingate. Pamela was imbued with intellect, optimism and a sharp wit that is deeply missed by colleagues, friends and family.