In Memorium: Thomas Peter Keon, M.D.
Mike Broennle, Mohamed Rehman, Scott Cook-Sather and Mark Schreiner
An outstanding clinician & gifted teacher with an unwavering calm & compassionate demeanor
Tom Keon MD, a giant among the founders of the discipline of pediatric anesthesiology, passed away on May 13, 2025. He was born in Detroit, grew up in Canada where he graduated from Saint Patrick’s College in Ottawa. After a short period teaching high school chemistry, he graduated in 1965 from the University of Ottawa School of Medicine, completed anesthesia residency, and came to the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia for a fellowship in pediatric anesthesiology.
He briefly returned to Ottawa but then was quickly recruited to join the CHOP faculty. He remained at CHOP for the duration of his career. An exceptional clinician and teacher, Tom served 25 years as a role model and mentor to generations of residents and fellows. His clinical expertise contributed to early understanding and management of key pediatric challenges including latex allergy, apnea in preterm infants following anesthesia, risk posed by anterior mediastinal masses, and management of the difficult pediatric airway. Tom was the kind of doctor parents and children trusted instinctively, and the kind of colleague who inspired by example. Though usually calm, Tom never hesitated to speak up when the situation demanded a strong voice.
Tom and his beloved wife, Janice, raised three children and he took great pride in their six grandchildren.. He enjoyed curling and golf. His Irish heritage was a lifelong source of pride and joy. He was drawn to the music, literature, and landscape of Ireland, cherishing every chance to connect with its culture and spirit.
When Tom retired, Mohamed Rehman insisted that Tom's legacy should continue in the form of an annual lecture. Mo was challenged to raise ~ $100,000 to endow them. Shortly after the inaugural event attended by Tom and his entire family, Mo received a check from Tom who wrote that supporting future generations of pediatric anesthesiologists and critical care physicians was simply the right thing to do. Thus began the Annual Tom Keon Endowed Lecture, with a selfless act capturing the very essence of Tom.
His legacy lives on — not only at CHOP, but across the world -- in the countless clinicians he inspired, and in the many patients whose lives have been touched by those he trained. At Tom's passing from Alzheimer’s disease, a colleague commented: “My idol…a perfect anesthesiologist.” Indeed. Thank you, Tom. Our excellence derives in no small part from our time working with you.
PS from Myron: Tom was one of my favorite teachers during my residency and fellowship. He touched and influenced so many of us, so I am asking any of you who would like to recount a story that you’d like to share, please send to my email (myasterster@gmail.com) and I will publish as a special reader’s response at the end of this week. And when I think and remember him I think of him as we see him below as a consummate clinician educator in the OR.
