DR . VAL
( continued from page 7 ) Justin : Echoing the wonderful words of my brother-in-law , GLMS could not have chosen a more extraordinary person . Val is the epitome of an exceptional leader . As I reflect on my memories growing up with my big sister ( looking past the parts where I saw her mainly as my bossy older sister ) there are countless times where Val has shown us that she is a skilled and energetic leader .
I admire my sister ’ s empathy - she simply exudes it naturally . When I was growing up , Val was always there to listen to my problems and give me meaningful feedback . Whether she was advising me on girls , or helping me decide on a career path , her counsel was always meaningful and constructive . She always ( and still does ) makes the time to be an active listening ear for me . To hear that she fields late night calls from patients ’ families in her “ off hours ” comes as no surprise . She is always willing and able to appreciate what I ’ m going through and to lend her support in any way that she can . It ’ s very instinctive for her to extend that same courtesy to the patients in her care .
Her dedication to her craft is something I marvel at and aspire to mimic in my own legal practice . This dedication goes beyond her medical career . As some may know , my sister is also gifted musically . I remember the many hours she spent in our parents ’ house , hearing her belt out song after song while playing the piano . Regardless of how beautiful it sounded the first time she sang the song , Val would continue to sing the same song over and over until she was satisfied that her performance was near perfect . I ’ m sure GLMS can truly benefit from a dedicated individual like my sister , whom I ’ m confident will apply that same dedication in her new role .
Lastly , my sister has the ability to inspire . She has the uncanny knack to appeal to people through emotion and can infuse any dismal moment with positivity . It was around the middle of December 2020 , when I began to receive an avalanche of texts and phone calls about my older sister ’ s interview circuit on the local news in Louisville , Kentucky . It didn ’ t take long for her to make an appearance on CNN , and then finally a story in the Washington Post . With each message that I received , a friend praised my sister for being a hero , and thanked her for the dedication and devotion she was demonstrating as one of many front-line health care workers battling a deadly virus . Evident in each message was a sense of hope that the world might finally see the light at the end of this dark tunnel the pandemic had trapped us all in . I couldn ’ t help but smile and beam with pride upon reading each thoughtful and endearing note about my older sister . Most of all , I too believed my sister ’ s closing words in that Washington Post article , where she said there was finally a reason for hope with the vaccine becoming readily available for all .
At this time , it is evident that the Louisville community as a whole is healing from a variety of physical and emotional issues . The both of us could not think of a more compassionate and dedicated person qualified to lead GLMS at this moment and assist the Louisville community in this time of recovery . There is no doubt in our minds that Val will excel in her new role and make us all proud . We can ’ t wait for the rest of the community to experience her care , to meet this wonderful person who means the world to us . We ’ re sure you will love her , just as much as we do .
8 LOUISVILLE MEDICINE