Celebrating 100 Years: Dr. Joseph W. Hess and a Lasting Legacy in Family Medicine

 

We are pleased to honor Dr. Joseph W. Hess, who reached the incredible milestone of 100 years on June 7, 2026. Dr. Hess was on the WSU Medical School faculty from 1960-1987 and held many positions throughout his academic medical career. Most notably, he was the founding Chair of WSU’s Department of Family Medicine (1974–1986). He moved on from WSU in 1987 to become part of University of Utah’s Department of Family Medicine. He retired from professional life in 2000 and moved to back to Michigan to be near family. He currently resides in East Lansing and continues to live independently. He is the proud patriarch of six children, 16 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren. His legacy at WSU remains a source of great personal pride and fond reflection.