On January 20th, 2019, Palma Formica MD, aged 90, returned to God from her cherished second home at St. Peter's University Medical Center, New Brunswick, NJ after a protracted illness. Pam Formica- Rihacek was an exemplary physician, mentor, mother and wife who dedicated her life to the care and wellbeing of her patients, family, community, church, and organized medicine As a young child, Palma devoted herself to becoming a physician after surviving the Second Johnstown Flood and a bout of scarlet fever. She graduated from medical school at Sapienza University in Rome, Italy. After a residency at Queens General Hospital on Long Island, Dr. Palma Formica and her husband, John Rihacek moved to Old Bridge, NJ where Dr. Formica opened a practice in general internal medicine. Over 50 years, Dr. Formica cared for young and old in Old Bridge and surrounding communities. She served as school physician for Madison Township and doctor to the clergy of St. Thomas Church in Old Bridge, NJ. Palma Formica, MD was elected the first woman president of the Middlesex County Medical Society, New Jersey Medical Society, and the New Jersey Academy of Medicine. Palma was the second woman elected to the Board of Trustees of the American Medical Association. She helped found and promote the family practice residency program at Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. She served as Chair of St. Peter's Department of Family Medicine. Palma Formica remained active in medicine, the church, and St. Peter's University Medical Center until her retirement 7 years ago. She is predeceased by her loving husband, John Rihacek. She is survived by her sons, John Rihacek, Esq of Howell, NJ. and Gregory Rihacek, MD of Somerset,NJ and daughter, Alycia Rihacek, historian/artist of Old Bridge, NJ. She is also survived by her grandchildren, John Rihacek, Adam Rihacek, Jennifer Rihacek, and Chad Rihacek as well as great grandchildren Adam and Shelby Marie Rihacek. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent as a honor/memorial gift to Autismspeaks.org or Saint Peters University Hospital Child Life Program Wish List@https://www.saintpetershcs.com/Donate/Child-Life-Program-Wishlist. Dr. Palma Formica's wake will be held at 8:30-9:30am and funeral Mass at 10:00am at St Thomas Church at 333 Route 18, Old Bridge, NJ, with subsequent entombment at Holy Cross Burial Park at 840 Cranbury South River Road, South Brunswick, NJ on Saturday , January 26, 2019.