Thomas J. Mizianty, M.D., Ph.D

Thomas J. Mizianty, M.D., Ph.D, 84, of Waymart, PA passed away peacefully after an illness on Monday evening, April 22, 2024 at home.

A native of Carbondale Twp., he attended local schools and graduated as salutatorian from Mayfield High School in 1957. He graduated with a B.S. in Biology, Magna Cum Laude from the University of Scranton in 1961, and was also co-awarded Honors for Excellence in Philosophy in his graduating class. He was awarded a full scholarship by the National Science Foundation to pursue his doctoral studies in Biological Sciences at the University of Delaware where he obtained his Ph.D in 1966; he had already begun teaching at Wilkes College in 1965 where he progressed from Assistant Professor to Associate Professor to a tenured position within 5 years. While associated with Wilkes, he was a team member of the Biosatellite II project, the first successful American project of sending biological organisms into space. Dr. Mizianty worked with Habrobracon, a parasitic wasp. During this time, he worked at the home base of Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee and was present at the launch of the satellite at Kennedy Space Center. At Wilkes, he was a pre-medical advisor, a Director of the National Science Foundation Institute for update instruction of High School Science Teachers, and mentored the first graduating student with a Master's Degree in Biology from the college. Many of his students went on to earn their own Ph.D's, M.D.'s and D.D.M., and pharmaceutical executive careers.

In 1971, he left Wilkes to pursue medical studies at Jefferson Medical College, graduating from that institution with his M.D. in 1975. After internship and obtaining his medical license, he decided on a change of location and moved to San Francisco where he lived for the next 21 years. In California, he worked mainly in Occupational Medicine for an organization called Redicare and eventually became Lead Physician for their clinics in San Francisco and Emeryville. He served for some years as the Director of Occupational Medicine at Redwood Medical Clinic in Redwood City, California. His final years professionally were as General Medical Examiner in Compensation and Pension Department at the VA Health Center in San Francisco. He returned to Pennsylvania to care for his aging parents and to enjoy his retirement at his home and lands near White Oak Pond, Waymart.

Dr. Mizianty was married to James Edward Hill Jr., who survives him. They were together for 20 years prior to their legal civil marriage in California in 2008. Pennsylvania recognized the marriage in 2014.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Michael J. and Sophia Mizianty and his older brother, Dr. Michael F. Mizianty.

He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

In addition to the life of the intellect, he loved to travel. Dr. Mizianty visited all 50 states and 40 countries, including Lithuania where his mother was born. Here, he found her village of origin and the grave of his great-grandmother. He enjoyed classical music and appreciated good art. He enjoyed long walks in the wood and whenever he could, he would have his dog as his companion.

Upon moving to San Francisco, he set himself two goals (besides the obvious one of earning a living): first, to learn to ride a motorcycle and second, to join a gym to get into shape. He accomplished both. In regard to the latter, bodybuilding became his personal best sport. He was proud of his physique, had professional photo shoots, but to his regret never entered competitions. He maintained a vigorous work-out routine into his mid-seventies.

In accordance with his wishes, there will be no public viewing.

Services will be private and held at the convenience of his family.

Interment will be private in Our Mother of Sorrows Cemetery, Greenfield Township.

Arrangements and cremation are entrusted to Howell Family Funeral Home, Inc. Edward R. Howell, Funeral Director, 269 Belmont Street, Waymart, PA 18472. www.HowellFamilyFuneralHome.com