Marvin Haskin, 78, radiology pioneer

Marvin E. Haskin, 78, of Bryn Mawr, former chairman of the diagnostic radiology department at Hahnemann University Hospital and an inventor of medical devices, died of an apparent stroke March 1 at Bryn Mawr Hospital.

Dr. Haskin grew up in Ardmore; Paterson, N.J.; and North Philadelphia. He graduated from Central High School. He earned bachelor's and medical degrees from Temple University and completed an internship and residency in diagnostic radiology at Philadelphia General Hospital. He served in the Air Force in Washington.

From 1961 to 1969, Dr. Haskin was chief of diagnostic radiology at the old Philadelphia General Hospital and was an assistant professor at Hahnemann Medical School. From 1969 to 1991 he chaired the diagnostic radiology department at Hahnemann University Hospital and was a professor at Hahnemann Medical School, where he mentored residents and fellows, said his wife, Pamela Herr Haskin.

At Hahnemann, he designed the radiology department, which included one of the first digital-imaging rooms in this region, and in 1974 he supervised the installation of one of the first CT scanners in Philadelphia. He was a pioneer in the use of teleradiology - the transmission of radiological patient images such as X-rays, CTs, and MRIs, allowing a radiologist to provide interpretation and consulting services without being at the same location as the patient.

After retiring from Hahnemann, Dr. Haskin pursued his interest in teleradiology and developed patents in that field. He also patented anti-fomitic devices to prevent hospital infections, including sterile packaging for thermometers; a container for X-ray cassettes; a flexible stethoscope cover; disposable padding for a nomography X-ray plate; and sterile covers for pillows and mattresses.

Dr. Haskin was the author or editor of 15 books. He and J. George Teplick coauthored Roentgenologic Diagnosis, which has been translated into multiple languages, and the three-volume Surgical Radiology. He also published nine book chapters and 84 papers in professional journals and presented more than 100 papers at scientific meetings.

He was a founding member of the Society for Computer Applications in Radiology; served on the editorial board of the Journal of Digital Imaging; and served on the Medical Devices Committee of the American National Standards Institute.

He and his wife met when she was his editor at W.B. Saunders publishers. She later earned a medical degree.

They married in 1973 and "had a relationship grounded in mutual adoration," she said. "He was a kind and gentle man who delighted in the antics of his beloved Newfoundland dogs," she said.

In addition to his wife, Dr. Haskin is survived by a son, Kenneth, and a sister. His former wife, Myra Singer Haskin, died in 2007.

A memorial service will be at noon Saturday at Haverford Friends Meeting, 855 Buck Lane, Haverford.

Memorial donations may be made to Newfoundland Club of America Rescue Fund, 1004 Highway 78 South, Mount Horeb, Wis. 53572.