Additional Honors

Kirsner was honored with more than awards and lasting legacies in the organizaitons he founded. In 1999, during Kirsner’s 90th birthday celebration, he had a portion of Maryland Avenue on Chicago’s South Side named after him. The street is now known as ‘Honorary’ Dr. Joseph B. Kirsner Drive.

After Kirsner’s retirement from practicing medicine in 2009, a former trainee of his, Dr. James Franklin, wrote and published Kirsner’s official biography, “GI Joe: The Life and Career of Dr. Joseph B. Kirsner.”

Dr. Kirsner giving a speech at his street naming dedication ceremony, 1999.
Dr. Kirsner giving a speech at his street naming dedication ceremony, 1999.

Kirsner, Joseph B. Papers, Box 62, Folder 8, Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library.
Dr. Kirsner standing in front of the street sign with the newly named S. Maryland Ave. as Honorary Dr. Joseph B. Kirsner Drive, 1999. giving a speech at his street naming dedication ceremony, 1999.
Dr. Kirsner standing in front of the street sign with the newly named S. Maryland Ave. as Honorary Dr. Joseph B. Kirsner Drive, 1999. giving a speech at his street naming dedication ceremony, 1999.

Kirsner, Joseph B. Papers, Box 62, Folder 8, Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library.
Chicago Tribune article "Doctor gets street to call his own", September 22, 1999.
Chicago Tribune article "Doctor gets street to call his own", September 22, 1999.

Kirsner, Joseph B. Papers, Box 62, Folder 8, Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library.
Celebrating Dr. Kirsner's 100th birthday and biography, Chicago Jewish News article by Pauline Dubkin Yearwood, July 17-23, 2009
Celebrating Dr. Kirsner's 100th birthday and biography, Chicago Jewish News article by Pauline Dubkin Yearwood, July 17-23, 2009

Kirsner, Joseph B. Papers, Box 62, Folder 8, Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library.