The Roanoker - July/August 2020 - 32

CARILION CLINIC FAMILY MEDICINE - SALEM; (540)
387-0441
Nominated for Family Medicine by Kenneth Ferguson
" Dr. Khawam has been my primary care physician for
years. I was having significant hip pain and thought
I was a candidate for hip surgery. I contacted Dr.
Khawam and she ordered X-rays. She immediately
called me after reviewing and advised my hips were
structurally sound, but she had discovered an aortic
aneurysm. Ultimately, I had surgery to repair the
issue. Had Dr. Khawam not been so capable, I could
have easily died had the aneurysm escaped. "

Nadeem Khuri, MD
LEWISGALE PHYSICIANS

Nominated for General Surgery by Suzi Findley
" Dr. Khuri was the fifth doctor I went to about
the removal of some lipomas from my ankles.
The prior four doctors that I saw ... wanted me to
have an EKG because of my age. ... None of them
would do the surgery without putting me in the
hospital, probably overnight. Dr. Khuri listened to
me, and because I had had other lipomas removed
before, he didn't see the risk that the other doctors
were telling me there could be. This was a simple
procedure, not a major surgery. Dr Khuri did the
surgery within a week of going to my consult with
him. Since my surgery on my ankles, I have gone
back to him and had more surgery at his office to
have more lipomas removed. "

Kye Y. Kim, MD

CARILION CLINIC CENTER FOR HEALTHY AGING; (540)
981-7653
Nominated for Mental Health Specialist by
Anonymous
" Doctor Kye Y. Kim has been attending to the heart,
mind and souls of our residents for years ... with a
great sense of humor and professionalism that is
seldom matched. "

Craig D. Hartranft, MD &
David A. Kinsler, MD

VISTAR EYE CENTER
2802 BRANDON AVE, ROANOKE, VA 24015; (540)
855-5100

Jon Gudeman, OD
INVISION

Nominated for Ophthalmologist by Marian McConnell
" I would be blind if not for Dr. David A. Kinsler and
Dr. Craig D. Hartranft ... four years ago, I suffered a
retinal hemorrhage in my right eye. It was quickly
and completely repaired ... A year later, my cataract
required replacement and a lens was inserted,
giving me better vision than I have had in 30 years
(I'm 65 now). Just four months ago, my left eye
required cataract replacement and a lens inserted,
giving me amazing vision in my left eye. I feel like a
bionic woman with my clear beautiful eyesight now,
thanks to these amazing doctors! ... I can't thank
them enough for helping me keep the miracle of
sight. Both are professional, compassionate and
caring and are experts at what they do. What a
wonderful gift to be able to help people keep their

JULY/AUGUST 2020

vision! I see them (very clearly now!) as being true
heroes! Thanks also to my regular optometrist, Dr.
Jon Gudeman of Invision, who helps me care for my
eyes and who referred me to Vistar. I (eye) nominate
all three for my health heroes. "

Christian Klaus, DO

CARILION CLINIC FAMILY MEDICINE - NORTH ROANOKE;
(540) 265-5500
Nominated for Family Medicine by Brenda Nichols
" Dr. Klaus sees my dad (and myself) who is 85 years
young. He listens to my dad and takes time to really
show concern for him. My dad saw him one time and
that was it - a true doctor-patience love story. Dad
did not want to see anyone else. ... Dad even wanted
to drop his cardiologist because he knew Dr. Klaus
was looking after him ... my dad still works 40+ hours
a week and takes his work very seriously, and that
is why he likes Dr. Klaus. He sees that work ethic in
him and truly respects him for that. Even though I
think my dad is super special, I truly believe Dr. Klaus
treats each and every patient with that same special
attitude and concern. This is why I consider Dr. Klaus
a true Health Hero. "

Mark Kochenderfer, MD
BLUE RIDGE CANCER CARE

Nominated for Oncologist by Lee Colls
" Dr. K, as everyone calls him, has dedicated his
professional life to eradicating cancer in every
patient he sees. He is knowledgeable and kind, but
tough when the fight starts. The man is my hero! "

George Maxymiv, MD
(DECEASED)

Nominated for Hero in Memoriam by Lynn Sowder
" Dr. George Maxymiv was a hero to not only me, but
many women in the Roanoke Valley! He was a true
compassionate physician, friend and family man!
His life was cut short recently and he will be greatly
missed by a vast amount of people. Dr. Max was
devoted to his career, his patients and his family. He
truly saved me from multiple surgeries, radiation
and chemo due to a precancerous scare. Due to the
nature of my illness, he insisted on having a second
surgeon in the operating room for a second set of
hands due to possible extensive bleeding issues. He
worked with an oncologist in CA and a gynecological
oncologist referral at Carilion. He personally called
to check on you and made his own follow-up calls.
He was truly devoted to his career and his patients.
There aren't enough words to express what a loss to
the Valley his sudden demise brought ... His shoes
can never be filled! "

Harry E. McCoy, MD
BLUE RIDGE CANCER CARE

Nominated for Oncology by Cathy Whitten
" When I was diagnosed with breast cancer, I was
terrified. Even after surgery, my biggest fear was
chemo. When I walked into Blue Ridge Cancer
Center for my first appointment, not knowing yet
whether I would need chemo, I burst into tears and
could not stop crying. Dr. McCoy came in, sat down
knee-to-knee and held my hands. He said we would
talk until I was okay. He did and I was. I told my
husband when I got home that, even if I died, I was
in the best hands. It's been 12 years now and all is
well. My experience with Dr. McCoy is not unique.
He has that effect on everyone. "
TheRoanoker.com

NADEEM KHURI, GEORGE MAXYMIV: COURTESY OF LEWISGALE / KYE KIM, CHRISTIAN KLAUS: JARED LADIA, COURTESY OF CARILION CLINIC / CRAIG HARTRANFT, DAVID KINSLER: COURTESY OF VISTAR / MARK KOCHENDERFER, HARRY MCCOY: COURTESY OF BLUE RIDGE CANCER CARE

Souha J. Khawam, MD

http://www.TheRoanoker.com

The Roanoker - July/August 2020

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