The Roanoker - July/August 2020 - 26

All Doctors and Nurses

We asked readers to share their
stories on the health professionals
who changed their lives.

T

here's never been a better time to thank our
health heroes.
With COVID-19 in the forefront of our
everyday lives, we believe it's more important
than ever to recognize the health heroes
caring for our community. They listen to us, reassure
us and are with us every step of the way on our medical
journeys.
We are incredibly grateful to them, as are our readers
who submitted their health hero stories in the months
of March and April during our nomination process.
Over 50 entries include nurses, family physicians,
cardiologists, elder care and many more.
Thank you to our readers for sharing your health hero
stories.
Nominees are listed in alphabetical order by last
name. Some nominators chose to remain anonymous.
Quotes from nominators have been edited for grammar
and spacing, but are otherwise as submitted.

26

JULY/AUGUST 2020

All Salem VA Medical Center
Nurses
Nominated for Nursing by Robin Franklin
" My husband, a Vietnam vet, was put on a ventilator
in an induced coma. I got the call, rushed to the
VA and had a heart attack in the waiting room. The
nurses immediately rushed me to the emergency
room and frantically worked on me until the
ambulance took me to Roanoke Memorial where
they placed a stint in my heart. Those nurses saved
my life ... they gave their all, as Roanoke Memorial
did. I don't know their names and can't even send
them flowers due to Coronavirus protocol. God
bless them all. "

The Team at Friendship South

(NORTH CAMPUS): 327 HERSHBERGER ROAD, ROANOKE,
VA 24012; (540) 385-8720)
(SOUTH CAMPUS): 5647 STARKEY ROAD, ROANOKE, VA
24018; (540) 777-8300
Nominated for Elder Care by Rob McGee
" During these unusual times, our team has been
developing creative ways to support each other
and provide peace of mind. Recently, the team at
Friendship South took it upon themselves to spread
some hope and encouragement to our residents
(and each other) by singing in the hallways! They
named themselves 'Six Feet Apart' and sang 'Lean
on Me' and 'You are My Sunshine!' The video is
posted on our Facebook page! "

Priya Acharya, DMD

ACHARY A PERIODONTICS & DENTAL IMPLANTS
Nominated for Periodontics by Melinda Milan
" My son began having problems in early 2019 with
sensitivity on two upper teeth and was referred
to Dr. Acharya for possible grafting of skin to help
cover the gum line on these teeth. Dr. Acharya and
her team were very professional during our initial
appointment and first surgery. Chris's surgery was
on a Thursday morning and we received a call on
Saturday morning to check on his progress. Who
knew that doctors still checked on patients during
the weekend? The initial grafting did not work as
well as they would have liked, but we waited three
months and did it again. It worked and we had the
opposite side of his mouth repaired in January. This
is a great practice with a friendly staff and great
doctor. I have nothing but good things to say about
Dr. Acharya. "

TheRoanoker.com

PRIYA ACHARYA: DAVID HUNGATE

Your
2020
Health
Heroes

Nominated for Health Heroes by Anonymous
" In this time of pandemic ... so many are giving of
themselves and making sacrifices for us all. All
health care workers including MD, PA,NP, RN, LPN ,
CNA, MA, RT, PT, OT, lab techs, rad techs, OR techs,
social workers, EMS, transport, administrative,
registration as well as environmental services,
dietary, maintenance, laundry, inpatient, outpatient
facilities, Rehab, LTC, AL. I'm sure I have left out
some, but as you can see, it takes a lot of people
contributing to provide health care that we as
patients/families/consumers expect. I am grateful
to each and every one that shows up every day
risking their own health and safety and that of their
families. They are and will always be my HEROES. "
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The Roanoker - July/August 2020

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