He is best known for his work on HIV / AIDS and tobacco . Koop served as surgeon general in the 1980s under three presidents . `` A pioneer in the field of pediatric surgery , Dr. Koop 's contributions include advances in complex surgical procedures , such as the separation of conjoined twins , establishment of the nation 's first newborn surgical intensive care unit and the implementation of Children 's Hospital 's surgical fellowship training program , '' the hospital said in a statement . He was surgeon - in - chief at Children 's Hospital of Philadelphia . Koop is survived by his wife , three children and eight grandchildren .
He is best known for his work on HIV / AIDS and tobacco . Koop served as surgeon general in the 1980s under three presidents . He was surgeon - in - chief at Children 's Hospital of Philadelphia . Koop is survived by his wife , three children and eight grandchildren .