Heritage Snapshot: Part 118

In order to stay on the cutting edge of science and technology, Dr. Melvin Judkins cultivated friendships with senior engineers from major radiographic equipment manufacturers. Because he could talk their language and was often privy to advancements, he influenced the future development of both angiographic and general radiographic equipment. He was recognized internationally as an authority on radiological equipment. Manufacturers coveted his use of their products and provided Loma Linda University Medical Center with prototypes or the first equipment available and subsequent upgrades. Dr. Judkins directed the planning and 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. He credited his administrative assistants, C. Richard Stueve, R.T., and David A. Stone R.T., for executing the plans he envisioned and policies he established. In 1978 a stroke tragically overtook Dr. Judkins. But he courageously continued his non-clinical professional activities. He died in his sleep on January 28, 1985. 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, his 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, the former family doctor 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. The 1994 edition of Dorland’s Medical Dictionary and the 1995 edition of Stedman’s Medical Dictionary describe the Judkins Technique. 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 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. Eileen Judkins always shared in her husband’s undertakings and became indispensable to his phenomenal career. According to Dr. William C. Sheldon, Chair of the Department of Cardiology, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, “The partnership of Judkins and Judkins has indeed been unique [in the service of their mutually held goals and ideals].” 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.