Dr. Joan M. Watkins

Dr. Joan Marie Watkins, 81, of Tampa, Florida passed away on Thursday, December 12, 2024, surrounded by the love of family in Middletown, Ohio. She was born in Anderson, Indiana on March 9, 1943 to parents, Rev. Curtis and Dorothy (Beckett) Watkins, both of whom preceded her in death.

After growing up in Wheeling, West Virginia and Inspired by a lifelong desire to work in the medical industry, Dr. Watkins attended West Liberty State College, where she received a Bachelor of Science in 1965. She went on to receive a Certificate of Graduate Physical Therapist through The Ohio State University in 1966. In addition, Dr. Watkins completed a DO at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine in 1972. After completing a rotating Osteopathic Internship she completed a year of residency in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Watkins was recognized as a Diplomat by The American Board of Emergency Medicine from 1983 to 1993 and a Diplomat of the American Board of Preventative Medicine in Occupational and Environmental Medicine since 1993. She was a Fellow of the American Board of Preventive Medicine, American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, and the International Academy of Independent Medical Evaluators. Dr. Watkins served as the president of the Florida Association of Occupational and Environmental Medicine; a part of the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine from 1999 to 2001. She also served as the corporate medical director of occupational health service with the University Community Hospital in Tampa, Florida from 1992 to 2006.

Drawing upon more than 50 years of professional experience, Dr. Watkins served as an Associate Professor, Affiliate Faculty in the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health in the University of South Florida College of Public Health, and Affiliate Assistant Professor University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine. Throughout the course of her career, she was featured in a wide range of honors publications. In recognition of outstanding contributions to her profession Marquis Who's Who, the world's premier publisher of biographical profiles, awarded her with the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award. 

In addition to her career, Joan loved the water and enjoyed sailing, swimming and watching the wildlife play in the mangroves of Tampa Bay. 

Joan is survived by her beloved cat, Benjamin; her brother, Reggie Watkins; sister in-law, Sienna Watkins; nieces Ella Templeton and Cora Watkins; nephew, Isaac Watkins; cousins, Pam Collins and Jane Murphy and many friends and professional colleagues. 

Private services will be held at the convenience of the family. Please sign the guestbook at WilsonSchrammSpaulding.com