The Roanoker - July/August 2020 - 36

BLUE RIDGE CANCER CARE

Nominated for Nurse by Lee Colls
" Most loving, gentle Nurse Practitioner to ever
be called to treat cancer patients ever born. She
listens with her huge heart and cares for the entire
family. I honestly don't think I could have made it
through treatment without Jolee! "

Gregory D. Riebel, MD
LEWISGALE PHYSICIANS

Nominated for Orthopedics by Jack Menefee
" I am so grateful to Dr. Riebel for orchestrating a
plan of action for my spinal stenosis diagnosis.
My sciatic nerve was being pinched in several
locations and after several surgeries he was
successful in his goal of correcting my problems.
He was sincere, caring and kind to me every
step of the way and I am so thankful to him for
sticking with me. Now I am walking without pain.
The thought of having spine surgery was very
frightening to me, but Dr. Riebel assured me all
along the journey that he would be successful in
helping me. It's difficult putting your trust into a
surgeon's hands based on a recommendation from
your primary care physician; however, I made the
right decision in trusting Dr. Gregory Riebel. I highly
recommend him to anyone reading this who has
back issues that may need surgery. "

Christopher Rigney, PA
SOVAH HEALTH (FORMERLY)

Nominated for ER Services by Steve Austin
" Mr. Rigney is a Physician's Assistant working in the
ER ... He put himself through college and worked
very hard to get where he is today. His willingness
to go beyond the call of duty for all his patients
makes him one of the few good up-and-coming
professionals. "

Mark A Schleupner, MD

CARILION CLINIC INTERNAL MEDICINE; (540) 224-5170
Nominated for Family Medicine by Anonymous
" My husband Jeff has a complex health history:
several heart surgeries, major infections and a
kidney transplant ... When we retired to Roanoke,
Dr. Schleupner became his internal medicine
physician ... by the middle of 2018, his transplanted
kidney was in distress. In February, 2019 ... Dr.
Schleupner told him to immediately go to the ER.
When he saw his labs two days later and checked
to find that Jeff had not gone to the ER, he called
him at home. That time, Jeff listened. He checked
into the ER at Carilion with pneumonia and a failing
kidney. He was prepared for dialysis and months
later received a second kidney transplant at UVA
in Charlottesville. How many doctors in this day
and age check up on their patients? Dr. Schleupner
seems to welcome Jeff's complicated case and
is diligent, caring and proactive in his care. He's
always learning, at the top of his game. We are
blessed that Carilion is a teaching hospital and
that the quality care they offer helped save my
husband's life. "

JULY/AUGUST 2020

Donald G. Smith, Jr., MD

CARILION CLINIC FAMILY MEDICINE - BRAMBLETON
AVENUE; (540) 725-7800
Nominated for Family Medicine by Anonymous
" You're lucky enough to have the same physician
for decades, you're fortunate. You're lucky enough
to have the same compassionate, careful, attentive,
insightful and gentle physician for decades, then
when you get the news that he is retiring on July
1, 2020, you've got a major lament. The trip to the
doctor's office, even for routine care and checks, is
never quite a look-forward-to occasion, but since
the goal is fully trustworthy information, advice
and counsel on your health, it can certainly be a
positive one. And for one patient at least, over many
many years, that was the result on every visit.
I'm fortunate not to have had a health challenge
over that time to cause Dr. Smith to have to step
up to the heroic, but it is certainly a measure of his
care that he was not called up to do so. I guess if I
had to pick one highlight over those many years, it
would be that time he failed to carry out that one
exam. Here's one patient's very best in retirement
to as fine a family physician as one could have. "

John Showers

SOVAH REHABILITATION CENTER
Nominated for Physical Therapist by Anonymous
" John and his wife have been struggling with
infertility for years. Finally, they are pregnant, but
right as the baby is due, his work plans to furlough
him because there simply are not enough patients
needing PT during COVID-19. My heart breaks for
this couple. He is an excellent therapist providing
true care, concern and guidance. He and his
colleagues simply don't have patients they can see
now. "

Gary P. Swank, MD
(DECEASED)

Nominated for Cardiologist by Mark Feldmann
" Dr. Swank placed two stents in my heart in
early June 2019. The procedure was considered
somewhat risky due to location of blockage and
lasted approximately two hours. It was a total
success and I went back to work the next day. I
understand that difficult cardiac interventions
were his specialty. Sadly, Dr. Swank was killed in
a drive-by shooting in Belize two weeks later. A
loss to his family, colleagues at Carilion and our
community. A real tragedy. "

Marc A. Swanson, MD
BLUE RIDGE PAIN MANAGEMENT

Nominated for Pain Management by Audrey Wyrick
" Such a hero ... I have been seeing him for a bad
back after years of sitting behind a computer
and also being in an automobile accident. He has
shown me so many exercises and tips to use. He
always treats you with such dignity. I look up to
Dr. Swanson as an excellent physician and great
person all around. He should definitely be put on a
pedestal. He sees so many patients, but he always
has time to talk with you. "

TheRoanoker.com

JOLEE PRESTON: BLUE RIDGE CANCER CARE / GREGORY RIEBEL: COURTESY OF LEWISGALE / MARK SCHLOUPNER, DONALD SMITH JR, GARY SWANK: JARED LADIA, COURTESY OF
CARILION CLINIC / JOHN SHOWERS: COURTESY OF SOVAH REHAB / MARK SWANSON: COURTESY OF BLUE RIDGE PAIN MANAGEMENT

Jolee Preston, MSN, NP-C

http://www.TheRoanoker.com

The Roanoker - July/August 2020

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