Dr. V. Marklin
Johnson, a native Floridian, founded
what is known today as Palm Beach Pathology.
Dr. Johnson joined the staff of Good Samaritan
Hospital on January 1, 1931 and retired in
1983. He served as Chief of Staff for 18 years,
and was appointed Chief Emeritus, and in this
capacity served the Medical Staff Executive
Committee.
Dr. Johnson
studied with some of the best in the field,
including Dr. George Papanicolaou and Dr.
John K. Frost of Johns Hopkins Hospital. Tissue
specimens from Good Samaritan, St. Mary's,
Pine Ridge Hospital and outpatients were all
processed at Good Samaritan Hospital.
In 1934, Dr. Johnson established
the area's first physician-directed clinical
laboratory. The office was located downtown
in the Harvey Building on Datura St. This
location was close to the bus station where
physicians would send specimens to Dr. Johnson.
Dr. Johnson also founded
the Palm Beach Blood Bank in 1943. Initially,
it was located in a small corner room at Good
Samaritan Hospital. In 1956, the Blood Bank
was moved to Dixie Highway and 15th Street
and, in 1982, relocated to its facility near
St. Mary's Hospital on 45th Street.
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