JOSEPH P. OLEKSZYK, MD

DR. JOSEPH PHILIP OLEKSZYK (Dr. Joe) of Seaford, Delaware passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on March 9, 2021. He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to the late Joseph and Nina Olekszyk and is survived by his wife, Patricia, his son, Michael, his sisters Dr. JoAnne Martinez and Catherine Rickards, nieces Kristin Martinez-Jones and Dr. Patricia Gaffney, and nephews Erik Martinez and James Gaffney.

As a young man in Philadelphia, Dr. Joe was an accomplished keyboard musician playing in the Uptown String Band and the group Shanghai. His love of music remained a lifetime avocation.  Dr. Joe graduated from St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia. He received his medical degree from Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) cum laude where he was a member of the Phi Sigma Gamma Fraternity and also Chief Resident. Concurrently, Dr. Olekszyk obtained his Master’s Degree in Otology for his research in Otitis Media and Development of the Mastoid Cell System. He was awarded the Burroughs Wellcome Research Fellowship and the Golden Quill Award by the Press Club of Pennsylvania. Dr. Joe continued his affiliation with PCOM for over 30 years until his retirement in 2019 as an Assistant Clinical Professor of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery. He was Board Certified in Otolaryngic Allergy and Otolaryngology & Facial Plastic Surgery and a Fellow of the American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery from which he received the Presidential Achievement Certificate.

For thirty years, he maintained his private practice, Nanticoke Ear, Nose, and Throat Associates, and his affiliation with Nanticoke Memorial Hospital in Seaford, Delaware. During this time, he continued his interests in medical research publishing many articles in medical journals. His most recent article was published in 2019. Many of his articles have been cited by fellow researchers. Dr. Joe maintained active membership in many medical associations including the Medical Society of Delaware, the Sussex County Medical Society (Delaware), the American Academy of Otorhinolaryngology/Head & Neck Surgery (Fellow), the American Osteopathic College of Otorhinolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery (Fellow), the American Osteopathic Association, the Delaware Osteopathic Medical Society, the Nanticoke Physicians Organization (P.O.), the AM PAC/DEL PAC, and the Delaware Academy of Otolaryngology.     

His selfless commitment to service extended to the Seaford community, Western Sussex County and the Delmarva medical community at large. Dr. Joe was a supporter of many local charities and community organizations and could always be counted on to perform with the band, Side Effects, at fundraisers and other events. He was also President of the Nanticoke Ear, Nose and Throat Assoc. (1990 to 2020), President of the Medical Society of Delaware (2002 and 2003), President of the Medical Staff, Nanticoke Memorial Hospital (2002 and 2003), and an Alternate Delegate from Delaware to the American Medical Association (1999 to 2005). Dr. Joe also served on the Physician Panel – Delaware in 2001 and 2003.

His service was recognized by many organizations.  The Delaware House of Representatives conferred upon him a Commendation, Quality Care/10th Year Anniversary in 2000.  In 2001 and 2003, he was also awarded the Commendation, Medical Director, and Team America by the Delaware House of Representatives. His alma mater, PCOM, conferred a Commendation, Outstanding Contribution Award, upon him in 2002, and Certificates of Merit from the Alumni Association in 2003 and 2005. Additionally, PCOM honored his achievements naming a study room in his honor on the medical school campus.   The State of Delaware House of Representatives awarded him an additional Tribute for Public Service in 2013. US News named him a Delaware Top Doctor and in 2020, he was inducted into the Nanticoke Hospital Physician Hall of Fame.

In lieu of flowers please donate to the Kim and Evans Foundation, 123 Village Dr., Seaford, DE 19973 to support future medical students through the PCOM Carol Fox Endowment Scholarship.

Funeral Services and burial will be private.

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