Obituary of Barbara Branson Geokas

Dr. Barbara Branson Geokas, 77, of Alamo, California, passed away on February 23, 2016 at her home with her husband, the esteemed Dr. Michael C. Geokas, at her side after a long battle with cancer. Dr. Branson was born in Hightstown, New Jersey, and grew up in Philadelphia and in Berwick, Pennsylvania, with her sister, Carolyn B. Varker. She attended Radcliffe, and then graduated from Hahnemann Medical College (now known as Drexel University College of Medicine) in 1964. She completed her internship at the University of Southern California Medical Center in 1965, and then served her residency at Montefiore Medical Center. Her fellowship was with the University of Southern California Medical Center. She met and married Dr. Michael C. Geokas in 1968, and they moved to their home in Alamo, California in 1973. She had a private practice as a Rheumatologist in Walnut Creek and was the leading co-founder of CHPMG Inc. (California Hospitalist Physicians Medical Group), the first Hospitalist group at John Muir Medical Center, which then became John Muir Hospitalist Group and has grown from 4 to 85 physicians over the last 15 years. Barbara will always be remembered as a spirited and beloved colleague who was the consummate physician to her patients. She enjoyed camping in her RV with her Doberman Pinschers. Cooking gourmet meals was her passion, and baking her famous Christmas cookies for the hospital staff became an annual event. She is survived by her niece Katherine Varker Crimmins and her beloved friend and surrogate daughter, Patricia Casci. The Greek Orthodox funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, March 3, 2016 at St. Francis of Assisi Church, 860 Oak Grove, Concord, CA. The Celebration of Life is between 5:00 and 7:00 p.m. March 3, 2016 in the Stern room at John Muir Medical Center, 1601 Ygnacio Valley Road, Walnut Creek, CA. Special thanks to the staff of John Muir Medical Center, her "family" away from home, and to her longtime friends Dr. Scott Morehouse, Dr. and Mrs. Campos, and Dr. Russell Everest. Memorial Contributions in lieu of flowers may be made to Doctors without Borders. https://donate.doctorswithoutborders.org/tribute.cfm?source=AZD1500A1D55&utm_source=google&utm_medium=ppc&utm_term=brand_sitelink&gclid=COXDmd_wlcsCFVBhfgodOvcOHA