Joel William Eisner, C’59, a former clinical professor of medicine, died on July 23 after a brief illness. He was 87. 

Born in Philadelphia, Dr. Eisner moved with his family to the Philadelphia suburb of Phoenixville in 1942. There, his family opened Milton’s Youth Center, a children’s clothing store, and were active members of Congregation Mercy and Truth, where Dr. Eisner was deeply influenced by Rabbi Emil Schorsch. Dr. Eisner graduated from Pottstown High School, which awarded him a Distinguished Alumni Award in 1990. Dr. Eisner then attended Penn, where he was a member of the crew team, performed in Mask and Wig, and graduated Phi Beta Kappa with a major in chemistry and a focus on pre-med studies. He earned his medical degree from Einstein Medical School, followed by a residency in internal medicine at Temple University, where he won the Golden Apple Award three years in a row. 

After serving as a U.S. Army doctor in Japan in the 1960s, Dr. Eisner returned to the U.S. and founded Phoenixville Medical Associates, which grew into one of the region’s largest practices. There, he was a driving force behind the growth of Phoenixville Hospital. He also founded HMO Freedom Healthcare, later sold to U.S. Healthcare. 

In 1994, Phoenixville Medical Associates, Ltd., became one of Penn’s Clinical Care Associates, and as such, Dr. Eisner joined Penn’s faculty as a clinical professor of medicine that year. Dr. Eisner also took a CCA post as associate dean for regional clinical development. Dr. Eisner retired from his teaching duties at Penn in 2008, but continued to be active around campus, delivering talks under the auspices of the Penn Association for Senior & Emeritus Faculty (PASEF). 

He served as a member of the Trustee Board of Clinical Care Associates of the Penn Health System.

Dr. Eisner continued to see patients through his private practice, even after selling the practice to Penn Medicine in 2023. 

He is survived by his wife, Judy; daughters, Elana Eisner (Charles Pritchard), Dina Green (Eric), Alyssa Eisner Henkin (Evan), Lauren Najarian (David); grandchildren, Rebecca, Rachel, Julia, Jeremy, Jordyn, Nathan, William, Alex, Isaac, and Orli. 

Donations in Dr. Eisner’s memory may be made to Congregation B’nai Jacob (Phoenixville, Pennsylvania), Temple Beth Hillel-Beth El (Wynnewood, Pennsylvania), the Jewish Federation of Philadelphia (https://donate.jewishphilly.org), or a charity of the donor’s choice.