James Blankenship, MD

Cardiovascular Disease, Interventional Cardiology, Internal Medicine

Biography

Dr Blankenship received an AB magna cum laude in biochemistry from Cornell University School of Arts and Sciences in 1976, an MD from Cornell University Medical College in 1980, and a masters of health care management from Harvard University School of Public Health in 2014. He completed residency in internal medicine and a fellowship in cardiology at the University of Michigan 1980-1987. He worked as an interventional cardiologist for Geisinger Health System until 2020 where he served as catheterization laboratory director for 20 years, as director of cardiology at Geisinger Medical Center for 10 years, and as chair of cardiology for Geisinger Health System for 3 years. He served as president of the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (2015-2016) and has represented the American College of Cardiology on the AMA's Relative Value Update Committee for 20 years. He has summitted Rainier, Kilimanjaro, Aconcagua, and Mardi Himal base camp with his children and, most importantly, helped his wife of 36 years raise 3 great kids.

Personal Statement

I chose medicine as a profession after realizing that life in a basic science lab, for a person of middling intellect, would likely contribute little to society. Practicing medicine is aligned with the teachings of Christ, is a chance to make a difference in others' lives, and is endlessly fascinating. Interventional cardiology in particular is a wonderful specialty - a person can come to you writhing in pain from a heart attack convinced they are dying, and half an hour later be wheeled to their room joking and asking when they can go home.

Clinical research has been a spare-time hobby. Socrates said "The unexamined life is not worth living" and same can be said for a medical practice. Research is a way to investigate the medical world in which we live and is always stimulating and fascinating. And occasionally one may discover something that will advance the science of medicine or even save a life - quite a thrill.

Teaching is the third leg of the compleat physician's tripod. Helping another person to accomplish their goals and to become a healer is a task similar in worth to healing patients or making new discoveries. As a physician's knowledge and experience increases over a lifetime, the obligation to pass on that knowledge and experience also increases. In the end, the greatest legacy a physician can leave behind at the end of a career is those he/she has taught.