Franklin Square Mourns the Loss of ER Doctor

Dr. Michael Pipkin, the longtime Emergency Department chairman at Medstar Franklin Square Hospital Center died Thursday following a long battle with esophageal cancer.

Dr. Pipkin joined the hospital in 1999 before becoming associate chair of the emergency department in 2002 and chairman in 2004, according to Franklin Square’s website.

Hospital officials also have credited him through the years for being instrumental in the development of , which opened in November 2010. Dr. Pipkin was diagnosed with cancer not long after that opening.

Last May, Franklin Square

More than 200 people, including hospital employees and members of the Baltimore County Fire Department turned out to that event to show their respect for Dr. Pipkin. The fire department even made Dr. Pipkin an honorary fire surgeon.

"Mike [Pipkin] is known to everyone here at Franklin Square," said at the time of the dedication. "I can't help but think what a gift, what a great human being ... and how lucky we are to have him." 

Funeral plans for Dr. Pipkin have not been made public and his family is asking for privacy at this time, hospital officials said.

What impact did Dr. Pipkin have on your life? Tell us in the comments section below.