Phil Marone, MD Sports Medicine Physician 1930-2023

Phillip J. Marone, an icon in sports medicine and visionary in spinal cord rehabilitation, passed away at age 93 this year at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia. In many ways, Dr. Marone was considered Thomas Jefferson University School of Medicine.

From his days as a student in the early 1950s to his time as an associate dean for alumni relations, Phil always gave his all to the Thomas Jefferson University family and broader community.

Phil’s dedication to the service of others started at an early age.

He learned the value of hard work early on, working on a farm in the summer alongside others in his family. After graduating from high school in Philadelphia at 16, Phil worked in a paint factory for a few years before pursuing his and his grandfather’s shared dream for his career—becoming a physician.

Phil graduated from the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy in 1953 and enrolled at Jefferson Medical College the same year. After medical school graduation, he served as an intern and resident at Thomas Jefferson from 1957-1958. At the request of his mentor, Anthony DePalma, Phil spent 1960 as a fellow at the NYU Institute of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.

In his own words, it was a “long year, but it gave me something that no other orthopedist had at that time—a background in physical medicine and rehabilitation that was beyond what you would normally get as an orthopedic resident.”

After his year at NYU, Phil began his orthopedic residency at Eastern State Penitentiary. Phil described those years as “the most interesting of [his] career”, perhaps in part due to some of the inmates working as scrub techs and nurses alongside him in the operating room. After residency, Phil accepted a position as professor in physical medicine, rehab, and orthopedics at Thomas Jefferson.

He mentored orthopedic and PMR residents alike, setting a standard that incorporated the best parts of both specialties to provide comprehensive care to his patients. This included great strides in the care of spinal cord injury patients, a passion which led to Dr. Marone’s involvement in the launch of the Spinal Cord Injury Center along with Jerome Cotler at Thomas Jefferson in 1978.

In 1972, Phil fulfilled another lifelong dream and joined the Philadelphia Phillies as the team physician. He cared for the players and provided the manager with his expertise regarding injury duration and management. After over 25 years of serving the team, Phil retired from baseball in 1999 and became associate dean of alumni relations in 2000. Phil’s commitment to healthcare continued as he earned a master’s degree in public health in 2007. He served as the face of Jefferson to alumni for 14 more years, retiring from his role on December 31, 2013.

During his retirement speech, Phil said, “I came into medicine to help people, which I hope I have done.” Though Phil may have been too humble to admit it, this is a vast understatement. Phil touched countless lives during his career as a physician and was instrumental in the growth of Thomas Jefferson into the university it is today. His legacy will continue to guide all who were lucky enough to know him as a colleague, physician, and friend. His immeasurable impact will not soon be forgotten, and he will be dearly missed.  

To our Readers:  Many, many of you knew and remember Dr. Marone fondly.  Please share your thoughts and remembrances in the comments section online.

For more information:  https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/inquirer/name/phillip-marone-obituary?id=53347804