The Roanoker - July/August 2020 - 30

CARILION CLINIC ORTHOPAEDICS; (540) 510-6200
Nominated for Orthopedics by Patricia Kula
" Alicia Dunleavy is always a good listener and
willing to negotiate a plan for healing that includes
my personal intentions along with her medical
knowledge. When discussing my health needs, I
always feel that she is invested in my well-being
and overall good health. She is a good person, a
gentle caregiver and delivers her message of care
in a very professional way. She is the best! "

Marie Farmer
MAXIM HEALTHCARE

Nominated for Nurse by Bobby Gardner
" This woman is such a blessing from God! Not only
to me, but hundreds and hundreds of patients,
families and just everyone. She's such a breath of
sunshine and never complains even when most
of us do, her personality is overwhelming and
definitely contagious and infectious at the same
time. She is a total professional and deserves
to be recognized for all of her dedication and
commitment to her patients and the health care
field! "

Robyn Hakanson, MD
LEWISGALE PHYSICIANS

Nominated for Orthopedics by Megan Greer
" In September 2018, I was hiking McAfee Knob
and fell, breaking my ankle in three places. Dr.
Hakanson was the orthopedic surgeon on call when
I got to LewisGale; she did surgery on my ankle to
place two plates and 12 screws to put my ankle
back together. Thanks to her, I've been able to get
back to my normal, active life, including returning
to McAfee Knob and running a Spartan race! I will
be forever grateful to her for not only her skills as
a surgeon, but also her kindness when I was in the
worst pain of my life. "

Dennis Hancock, MD

FORMERLY PHYSICIANS TO WOMEN (21 HIGHLAND AVE
SE, SUITE 200, ROANOKE, VA 24013; (540) 982-8881)
NOW ASSISTANT PROFESSOR AT VIRGINIA TECH
CARILION SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AND RESEARCH
INSTITUTE
Nominated for Obstetrics by Susan Trout
" It took me three surgeries having my tubes
reversed after having them cut and tied, and
then we tried In Vitro Fertilization, which was not
successful. I had two children before I had my
tubes tied. Later I did get pregnant and at the age
of 34, I was watched closely! Dr. Hancock was an
amazing obstetrician. When I went into labor, my
baby's cord was around its neck and going into fetal
distress. Dr. Hancock rushed me to OR and did a
C-section; back at recovery, I hemorrhaged and lost
so many units of blood, they sent me back to the
OR. My husband was out of town and they called my
family in, not expecting me to make it. Dr. Hancock
saved my life with a partial hysterectomy ... Today
my son is 28 years old ... I'm forever grateful to Dr.
Hancock for allowing me to live to raise all three of
my children! "

JULY/AUGUST 2020

Michael L. Jones, DDS

CARILION CLINIC DENTAL CARE - PEDIATRICS;
(540) 224-4380
Nominated for Pediatric Dentistry by Meghan Smith
" My son is autistic and has had several problems
with his teeth. It has been a struggle to get him
to take care of them, let alone find a dentist
that can work with him. ... We started going to
the Community Hospital to the pediatric dentist
and 'Dr. Mike Wazowski' is how he introduced
himself. I knew right away my son was going to be
comfortable. Mike is always so kind and sweet. He
is so careful and considerate to both my son and
me. The whole team is incredible and so quick. I
look forward to dentist appointments. I can't wait
to take my eight-month-old to this clinic. "

Mark Joseph, MD

CARILION CLINIC CARDIOVASCULAR INSTITUTE -
CARDIOTHORACIC SURGERY; (540) 853-0100
Nominated for Cardiothoracic Surgeon by Denise Koff
" Last year my husband went from thinking he was
healthy, to a stress test, to a stent procedure which
they could not perform, as he was not a candidate,
to open heart surgery, all in the span of two weeks.
Dr. Mark Joseph was the surgeon who performed
bypass surgery. His calm, thoughtful demeanor and
the time he took with us to explain the surgery and
answer all questions was an incredible blessing
at this difficult time. While in surgery as my
daughter and I waited, the hours went by. I became
fearful that it was taking too long. The nurse in
the waiting room asked who was performing the
surgery. When I said it was Dr. Joseph she said, 'Oh,
he is an excellent surgeon. He takes his time and
never rushes.' That, too, was a blessing to hear. My
husband fully recovered and is back to work, living
a full life. We are grateful to both the skills of Dr.
Joseph and his warm and caring approach with his
patients. "

George Kevorkian Jr., DDS PC
Nominated for Oral Surgeon by Ingrid Kevorkian
" My health care hero is my husband, Dr. George
Kevorkian. George has been practicing as an oral
and maxillofacial surgeon in Vinton for 33+ years.
During his entire career he has participated with
the Virginia Medicaid Smiles For Children program.
He is the only oral surgeon to have consistently
provided this service for decades. ... George
has always felt it was his moral responsibility
to participate with this program. When doctors
refuse to accept Medicaid, it becomes difficult
for patients to find care within their geographic
area. Patients drive from as far away as Galax
and Wytheville for oral surgery care in his office.
It did not surprise me when the governor closed
dental offices because of the pandemic that my
husband volunteered to see emergency patients
to keep them out of the busy hospital emergency
departments. He has also continued to pay his
employees their normal wages and fully cover their
health insurance despite working only a few hours
per week! I am nominating my husband, because
his humility and courage to do the right thing make
him an exceptional oral surgeon. "

TheRoanoker.com

ALICIA DUNLEAVY, MARK JOSEPH: JARED LADIA, COURTESY OF CARILION CLINIC / MARIE FARM: COURTESY OF MAXIM HEALTHCARE /
ROBYN HAKANZON: COURTESY OF LEWISGALE

Alicia K. Dunleavy, PA

http://www.TheRoanoker.com

The Roanoker - July/August 2020

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