Joseph R. Takats III, DO is a collector—not just of things, but of experiences that have defined a lifetime of impact.
His barn in upstate New York is lined with vehicles—mostly Porsches, along with tractors and even a Harley-Davidson. “I don’t ride it anymore,” he admits with a laugh, “because I’m afraid I’ll get killed.”
His basement holds carefully curated displays of antique medical equipment, including a prized assortment of obstetrical forceps. Cupboards in his woodland home, set on 168 acres, overflow with cut glass, coins and sterling silver flatware.
His favorite? Sterling silver bone marrow spoons. He owns hundreds. Polishing them, he says, is almost meditative. “It allows my mind to wander—and gives me a break from my still-busy life.”
At 81, Takats continues to practice medicine in an office near Buffalo, where he provides occupational health services, including physicals and treatment of minor injuries for local businesses.
It’s a slower pace than the one he kept for 43 years in emergency medicine, a specialty that brought both intense pressure and purpose.
“I once had a patient try to kill me because he was angry at the diagnosis,” he recalled. “He had to be restrained.”
After graduating from Kansas City University in 1970, Takats found himself in limbo as the Vietnam War raged and he waited to be drafted. To support his wife and children, he took a part-time job in the emergency room at Kenmore Mercy Hospital in Buffalo—and discovered a calling. When the American Medical Association formally recognized emergency medicine as a specialty and developed a certification process, he was among the first to take the exam and become a certified emergency physician.
In 1974, he developed the first curriculum in New York State designed to train EMTs and paramedics in providing treatment en route to the hospital. A version of that groundbreaking program is still in use administered by the New York State Department of Public Health.
Seeing a growing need for emergency medicine physicians, Takats founded an independent professional corporation to provide emergency department staffing for hospitals across western New York. His model not only ensured quality and continuity of care—it also laid the groundwork for how many hospitals nationwide continue to staff their emergency departments today.
“I loved it. . . when I was younger. But it impacts your social and family life. I mean, it takes a lot of the ‘normal’ out of the picture because of the demands of having to staff the ER 24/7,” he remarked. “And the types of patients that you see. . . except for a cancer specialist, I don't think there's any other specialty where you see more death.”
Before entering medicine, Takats worked as a teacher. He was introduced to KCU by his wife’s father, Everett French, DO, who graduated in 1957. Though none of his six children pursued a career in health care, he holds out hope that some of his grandchildren will carry on the legacy.
Takats remains deeply grateful to KCU for launching his career and speaks highly of the University’s continued growth and evolution.
“It’s an incredible institution,” he says. “I wouldn’t be a physician without them.”
His appreciation runs deeper than words. In 2008, he established the Joseph R. Takats III, DO Endowed Scholarship to support future osteopathic physicians—and plans to include KCU in his estate.
Recently, a scholarship recipient wrote him a heartfelt note of thanks:
“Your generosity has not only impacted me today but has also inspired me to think about how I, too, can make a difference. I am committed to paying this kindness forward, and when I am in a position to give back, I hope to support KCU and future students who, like me, may face significant barriers to their dreams.”
KCU is proud to count Dr. Joseph R. Takats III among its distinguished alumni—and grateful for his continued generosity as a member of the Gold, Conley and Heritage Societies.
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