Executive Director and Health Officer , Kanawha-Charleston Health Department
Steven Eshenaur , D . O ., MBA
Executive Director and Health Officer , Kanawha-Charleston Health Department
PAIGE UDERMANN
Steven Eshenaur , D . O ., MBA , executive director and health officer at the Kanawha-Charleston Health Department , has been shaped by a lifetime of service — both to his country and community . Growing up in Point Pleasant , WV , Eshenaur remembers being inspired by his grandfather , a physician who cared for his patients as if they were his own family . Eshenaur witnessed his grandfather helping the sick and injured in their greatest hour of need and dreamed of following in his footsteps , not just as a doctor but as someone who would make a difference in the lives of others .
By 1996 , Eshenaur was not only a medical school graduate from the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine , he was also dedicated to serving his country as a soldier in the military . After completing his medical school internship , he was stationed in Korea for two years as the sole U . S . physician in the province . His journey continued with deployments to Iraq , where he served three separate tours , even while completing his residency at Charleston Area Medical Center ( CAMC ).
The military challenged him in ways that pushed him to his physical and emotional limits and also shaped who he is .
“ War is about extremes : excitement of combat , fatigue from long hours , sadness from loss , discipline to stand
Photo by Chris Gosses Photography .
your ground in a fight , second guessing when outcomes are unexpected , regret for actions not taken , loneliness after separation from your family , anger and revenge for wounded brothers in arms and duty — no matter the cost — to care for those who are willing to give everything ,” says Eshenaur . “ Those challenges experienced over four tours really shaped me , how I think about the future , what my community means to me , value of life , fragility of health and what service really means .”
Eshenaur ’ s service has influenced his beliefs and values , leading to a life centered around making a positive difference .
At the beginning of his practice , his
main focus was on treating one patient at a time , but later in his career , his focus shifted to preventative care .
“ I adopted the motto ‘ The easiest disease to treat is the one you never get ’ and chose to advance my education with a degree that focused on the business of health care . I then decided to move full time in public health ,” he says . “ Preventing disease , keeping kids healthy , reducing substance abuse , decreasing HIV and improving the overall health and vitality of our community became my primary concern .”
He completed an MBA in health care business administration from West Virginia University . With this
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