The Roanoker - July/August 2018 - 57

HONORABLE MENTION:

Jennifer Vaughn, MD
BLUE RIDGE CANCER CARE
Nominated for Oncologist by Susan Price
"My husband was diagnosed with Ph+ ALL
(Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia) November
2015. Dr. Vaughn was up front and honest
about his disease and road ahead. When
I asked about a second opinion, she had
already done so. It hadn't been 24 hours
since his diagnosis and she had already
reached out to doctors around the country.
We have three young kids and Dr. Vaughn
Jason Price and children
made herself available after hours so she could meet them, explain to
in November 2015.
Inset: Susan Price and
them what was happening and to answer their questions. When Jason
Dr. Vaughn.
could not get to remission, she canvassed the U.S. asking about CAR-T
clinical trials for Jason. Seattle Cancer Care Alliance/Fred Hutch took him on as a trial participant
since they had been in touch with Dr. Vaughn and knew of his case.
Jason completed his trial (without success) and then had a bone marrow transplant in Seattle.
Dr. Vaughn remained in touch with us the entire time we were out there and met his challenges
head-on when we returned home. She always made herself accessible, which she probably
regretted at times!
My husband passed away September 2017 and Dr. Vaughn made sure to be there with us and
the kids during that process. She fought with us during the duration of his illness and we know she
did everything possible for Jason. She never gave up on him, and my kids and I are forever grateful
for her. We consider her a friend and have kept in touch since Jason's death. She is special!"

Pat Young
UNITED WAY OF ROANOKE VALLEY
Nominated for Community Health by Lydia Merritt
PRICE FAMILY: COURTESY OF SUSAN PRICE / PAT YOUNG: COURTESY OF UNITED WAY OF ROANOKE VALLEY / KEATON PETTY: COURTESY OF ANGIE PETTY

"Pat Young has worked to improve the health of the
Roanoke Valley for decades. She truly exemplifies
the notion that knowledge and access to care
should be afforded to everyone, no matter their
life circumstances. Pat is a registered dietician by
trade, but her career has spanned far greater than
that including practice management, support of the
development of community health centers and working
with nonprofits to better serve the health of their
communities.
Most notably, Pat is the founding director of Healthy
Roanoke Valley, a partnership of over 50 organizations
that are committed to transforming the way our
community thinks about and values health. Through
this initiative Pat helped spearhead the Fresh Foods
Rx program that strengthens the relationship between
patient and provider, gives actual prescriptions for
healthy foods and fosters group support and education
that result in lifelong change.
She has also been instrumental in our community's work to reimagine the way that we provide
dental care to underserved populations and the beginning of an important dialog about health
equity in our community. As you can see, there are countless ways that Pat has been key to
building a stronger culture of health in the Roanoke Valley and thousands of lives that will
benefit from this health hero." I
TheRoanoker.com

Keaton Petty
therapy dog
THERAPETS OF THE
ROANOKE VALLEY
Nominated for Therapeutic
Animal Trainer by Angie Petty

"I'm sure this is an unusual
submission, but I had to make
a submission for my therapy
dog Keaton. He has enriched
so many lives through our
monthly visits to Carilion
Roanoke Memorial Hospital,
The Glebe and HopeTree.
There are a number of studies
on the positive effects of
Animal-Assisted Activities
(AAA), such as decreased
heart rate and blood pressure,
mental stimulation, feelings of
acceptance and good rapport
and increased motivation. I've
personally witnessed people
in the hospital move their
fingers, flutter their eyes and
attempt to speak in response
to touching Keaton. I've also
witnessed all the smiles he
brings to staff members,
patients, family members,
visitors, residents and kids,
depending on the facility we're
visiting.
There's no doubt in my mind
that therapy work is Keaton's
purpose in life. He had such
a calm demeanor and mild
disposition as a puppy, I felt
he must have a bigger purpose
beyond being a beloved family
pet. I began to investigate ways
I might use him to give back
and discovered pet therapy.
Keaton is also somewhat of
a miracle dog, because he was
rescued from our house fire in
2013 just weeks after passing
his first test for therapy animal
certification. Keaton loves to
be petted and gets excited
every time I pull out his vest to
go on therapy visits. He is truly
a blessing to our family and
all the folks he visits. Thank
you for considering him as a
Roanoke health hero."

JULY/AUGUST 2018

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The Roanoker - July/August 2018

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