Twelve new physicians have joined the medical staff at River Valley Health System.

Monday, September 06, 1999

Twelve new physicians have joined the medical staff at River Valley Health System.

"The mission of River Valley Health System is to provide comprehensive, family-centered care," said Sue Massie, RVHS director of marketing.

"Putting that mission into practice, River Valley’s promise to this community is that we are ready to meet the health-care needs of the residents of Lawrence County and surrounding areas."

An important part of that commitment is the recruitment of physicians, Mrs. Massie added.

New physicians to the RVHS medical staff include Sue Adams, D.O.; Daria Lee, M.D.; and Steven Merkel, M.D., all of whom are family practice physicians, and Ann Alvarez, M.D. a specialist in internal medicine.

Other new physicians include Mark Pack, M.D., and D. Blaine Nease, M.D., both specialists in surgery; and M.A. Khoudoud, M.D., and Ellie Saab, M.D., who both specialize in pulmonary and critical care. Sriharsha Velur, M.D., also has been credentialed as a new cardiologist.

The RVHS 24-hour, physician-covered emergency department now is being staffed by a new group of physicians who already are well known in the area. James Ross, M.D., former medical director with Ashland Inc., specializes in internal medicine as well as occupational medicine. He is joined by co-director of the new emergency services department, Stephen Shy, D.O. Also on the emergency room team is Robert Hess, M.D. Drs. Shy and Hess formerly were associated with the Huntington, W.Va., Internal Medicine Group.

All 12 physicians are board-eligible, which means they completed an approved residency in their specialty. Most already are board-certified, Mrs. Massie said.

"You can be assured that quality health care is readily available in Lawrence County for all who wish to receive quality professional care and that special hometown compassion," she said.

Leaving the RVHS medical staff is George Massoud, M.D., who is joining his family in the Baltimore, Md., area to assume the practice of a family friend. Scott Davis, M.D., a board-certified internal medicine specialist, will relocate to Dr. Massoud’s office to allow uninterrupted service to Dr. Massoud’s patients.

"We are sorry to lose Dr. Massoud, who has served the residents of Lawrence County and surrounding areas with professionalism and compassionate care, but we are happy for him as he joins his family in Maryland," said Terry Vanderhoof, RVHS CEO.