Paul Qaqundah, MD
(1933 - 2020)
AAP-Orange County Chapter
 Tribute to One of Our Founders
The Orange County Pediatric Community mourns the loss of one of our true heroes, Paul Qaqundah, who passed away September 10, 2020.

One of the first pediatricians to set up practice in Huntington Beach, Dr. Qaqundah was instrumental in helping the Orange County Pediatric Society become California Chapter 4, American Academy of Pediatrics (Orange County). In fact, he was the first President of our Chapter and remained active as long as his health allowed. His passions included school health, Reach Out and Read, education, and the younger pediatricians. Dr. Qaqundah was the consummate pediatrician and pediatric allergist, and was loved the by children and families he cared for and the whole pediatric community. The passing of this gentle, caring giant of a community pediatrician and pediatric allergist, is a great loss to the families he cared for and his friends in the pediatric community.

He is survived by his wife Susie and their children and grandchildren. A special CA 4, AAP fund will be set up to honor him. All wishing to honor him can donate to one of the two organizations Susie says would have pleased him.

  1. St. Mark Orthodox Church in Irvine or mailed to 17840 SkyPark Cr, Irvine, CA 92614
  2.  OC American Academy of Pediatrics, Paul Qaqundah Fund or mailed to 5000 Campus Dr. Newport Beach, CA 92660

Harry Pellman, MD
With great sadness, we as pediatricians, colleagues, and friends mourn the loss of Paul Qaqundah. His legacy is that of an outstanding mentor, educator, clinician and colleague in the entire community of pediatricians. Thousands of children, who will not likely remember his name, have benefited from his excellent and compassionate patient care. But we will remember.

Paul was a legacy Chapter President and remained an active member and advocate. Paul recruited me as a CATCH (Community Access to Child Health) Facilitator for the Chapter. Here is what he taught me before we had modern technology: “Tell our Chapter Members to start by writing the idea down on a napkin.” Paul, we now have email and no napkins! We designated Paul as “CATCH Facilitator Emeritus” and he remained active until recently. With his leadership and mentoring, AAP-OC has a remarkable record of successful CATCH grants. Sandra Murray and I will work to maintain that record.

We will honor Dr. Qaqundah’s legacy by ensuring that AAP-OC is “The Hub for Children’s Health in Orange County.

Phyllis Agran, MD, MPH & Sandra Murray, MD
AAP-OC CATCH Project Facilitators
Professors, UCI School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics
"Don’t let these changing and challenging times in medicine stop you from doing your best for children and their families. Medicine never changes; people will always get sick and need their physician to take care of them. What changed is who pays the bill. Get involved with your local and national AAP and always be advocates for children, their families and yourselves. It is an honor to work and help children and their families."
Paul Qaqundah, MD