Career family doctor and rodeo man passes away

TAFP life member Joseph T. Ainsworth, M.D., of Houston, died on Aug. 31 at the age of 93. “Doctor Joe,” as he was known by friends and patients, practiced family medicine for nearly 30 years. In 1977 he joined the staff of MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, serving as vice president for patient care until his retirement in 1989.

Ainsworth grew up in Mississippi and attended Tulane University School of Medicine from 1938-1942, where he was awarded his medical degree. After serving an internship at Charity Hospital in New Orleans in 1943, he joined the Army Air Force as a Flight Surgeon and retired in 1946 with the rank of Major. He completed a residency in surgery and medicine at Lafayette Louisiana General Hospital and later moved to Houston.

Ainsworth was active in several medical organizations including the Texas Academy of Family Physicians, the Texas Medical Association, the Harris County Medical Society, and the American Medical Association. He received TMA’s Distinguished Service Award and AMA’s Benjamin Rush Community Service Award.

In his community, Ainsworth was active in the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo for over 40 years as a volunteer and in various leadership positions including chairman of the Palomino Horse Committee and Health Committee and vice president of the show. He later served as president and chairman of the board of the organization and was named a lifetime member of their executive committee. He was also a member of the St. Vincent De Paul Catholic Church for 50 years.

Ainsworth is survived by his children, John and wife Sandra, and Michael and wife Karen, and grandchildren Cody and wife Mandi, Joseph, and Lindsay. He was married to the late Kathryn Gene Ainsworth for 59 years.