|
Updated: 8:17 PM Dec 4, 2008
Former Local Doctor, Daughter Killed in Crash
A former Huntington doctor and his 13-year old daughter, Hannah, were killed Wednesday night in an auto accident on Interstate 81 near Roanoke. WEB EXTRA: Watch our 2006 story with Dr. George on the opening of the Regional Heart Institute. Posted: 11:59 PM Dec 3, 2008Reporter: John Griffith Email Address: john.griffith@wsaz.com |
|
UPDATE: Thursday @ 6pm
By Carrie Cline
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- A surgeon, a philanthropist, a giving spirit. Dr. Jeff George saved others' hearts while giving of his own. The renowned former Huntington heart surgeon died Wednesday night in a car accident near his home in Roanoke, Virginia.
His 14-year-old daughter and only child also died in that accident. But, Dr. George leaves behind a heartwarming legacy.
Tim Jenkins runs a miniature horse program for children. But, he says he's only able to give his heart to others because Dr. Jeff George saved his.
“He’s primarily the reason I’m still here,” said Tim.
Dr. George was a heart surgeon at Huntington's St. Mary's Medical Center for more than twenty years. During all of that time, Charlotte Pauley worked closely by his side. She was his personal nurse and dear family friend.
“Patients would come in who were obese and he’d tell them you need to help yourself first and lose weight. After you lose about 50 pounds, come back and then I can help you. That’s the kind of person he was, he wouldn’t just operate to operate. He actually cared about the people,” said Charlotte.
Helping people was what Dr. George lived for in and out of the operating room.
The hospitality house serves adult families who live more than 50 miles away and whose loved ones are in local hospitals. It's also a temporary home for adult patients who are undergoing various outpatient treatments. It’s here primarily because of Dr. George’s commitment.
“He had the motivation and inspiration for it,” said Jo Fannin, Comfort House Executive Director.
But, for as much as Dr. George did, it was Lillian Dick's vision that sparked the dream. 17 years ago, her grandson was born with cancer. The family stayed at a hospitality house when he underwent surgery in Philadelphia. They wanted to see something similar in Huntington.
“We knew Huntington needed something like this and we made it happen,” said Lillian.
Nearly two years ago, Dr. George moved to Roanoke, Va., to work at a facility there. But, even though he was many miles away, he still made this house a priority.
The Jeffrey George Comfort House has served more than 18,000 people from 42 states and 12 countries in the ten years since it opened. Dr. George's daughter, Hannah, was 14 and a horse lover. The two are survived by wife and mother, Teresa.
ORIGINAL STORY
ROANOKE, Va. (WSAZ) -- A former Huntington doctor and his 13-year old daughter, Hannah, were killed Wednesday night in an auto accident on Interstate 81 near Roanoke.
Doctor Jeff George had strong ties to the Huntington, West Virginia, area. His local philanthropy led the Hospitality House to change its name in his honor--to the Jeffrey E. George Comfort Hospitality House.
WSLS-TV in Roanoke is reporting that George's SUV flipped over a guardrail and caught fire. (read WSLS' story)
He worked as a cardiovascular surgeon at St. Mary's Hospital in Huntington until he and his family moved to Virginia last year. There, he worked at the Carilion Clinic.
"Tonight at Carilion we are in shock and heartbroken by this tragic loss. We are trying to do what we can to support his family," said Eric Earnhart, spokesperson for Carilion Clinic.
Dr. George attended medical school at West Virginia University.
Keep clicking on WSAZ.com for more information.
Latest Comments
Hannah was my best friend and I was devastated when I got the call. Poor Teresa and her family!!! Hannah and I grew up together and I wish that she was here everyday!!
[ Report Abuse ]
Hannah and Dr. George went to my church, and then I got to know Hannah really well. She was a really nice girl, and I am sure I will miss her. My condolence is with her family, especially for Teresa. May God bless and be with you forever.
[ Report Abuse ]
MY HEART GOES OUT TO THIS FAMILY FOR THE TERRIBLE LOSS THEY HAVE SUFFERED.HE TOOK CARE OF MY OWN DAD IN 1993.WE ARE NOT BODIES WITH SOULS...WE ARE SOULS WITH BODIES.MAY GOD BE WITH YOU THRU THIS TRYING TIME.
[ Report Abuse ]
|
Popular Searches Powered by Local.com |
- Sen. Landrieu says she will support health care debate
- Rape victim's parents charged
- Large Hadron Collider back online
- Prosecution: Knox deserves life term
- Sri Lanka to release 130,000 Tamils
- Arrests in Italy linked to Mumbai attacks
- Hospital hearing set for Hasan
- U.S. soldier guilty of abuse in Iraq
- Students hold buildings in protest
- CDC: H1N1 cases down, vaccine availability up
- Charge against Blackwater guard dropped
- Oprah ending talk show in 2011
- Soldier guilty of abusing subordinates in Iraq
- 'Summers were the worst,' says woman in sex abuse case
- Senate vote next step on what could be a long road for health care
- Attorney: Fort Hood suspect to be held in hospital
- Burned Florida teen having skin graft surgery
- New cervical cancer screening guidelines released
- Prosecutor: Knox taunted, killed victim
- Pope to meet Anglican leader amid tensions
- Scores missing after China mine blast
- Bacteria prompts nasal spray recall in U.S., Europe
- Blind students sing upon school supplies' arrival
- Peru: Arrests made in ring that sold human fat
- Right-wing activists storm TV station over 'bias'
- Football fever turns nasty in Cairo
- Man who killed wife while dreaming is released
- Police find body, 3 rifles after Saipan shooting spree
- Prosecution: Knox deserves life sentence
- Parents of 8-year-old rape victim charged with abuse
- Florida men sentenced for plotting terror attacks
- Wal-Mart line jumper to plead guilty to resisting arrest
- 'Summers were the worst,' Mohler family accuser says
- Burned Florida teen having skin graft surgery
- Hospital hearing sought for Fort Hood suspect
- Man faces murder charge in Shaniya Davis case
- Suspects sold fat harvested from corpses, authorities say
- Police: Suspect in Arkansas slayings killed in shootout
- Scrutiny for cancer screenings
- Can your doctor spot H1N1?
- Purpose found after loved ones' suicides
- CDC: H1N1 cases down, vaccine availability grows
- 'I want my mammograms!'
- What to expect in Saturday health care vote
- New cervical cancer screening guidelines released
- Vicks nasal spray recalled over bacteria
- Two men reflect national divide over health reform
- HIV+ soccer team scores against stigma
- No. 9 Ohio St.-Michigan, more Top 25 scores
- Predictions for Michigan-Ohio St. and more
- Seth Davis: Syracuse will go as far as the once-reluctant Johnson carries it
- Hawks soar to league-best 11-2 on Smith's tip-in
- No. 6 Boise St. rips Utah St. to stay in BCS chase
- Death of Brees' mother ruled a suicide
- Giants LB Pierce out indefinitely with neck injury
- Knicks decide against signing free-agent Iverson
- McGrady wants to play right now; Rockets say no
- FanHouse: Why Kansas' Mangini should be fired
- Miley Cyrus Tour Bus Overturns in Va., Killing 1
- One of 2 Teens Wanted in Connection with 'Gruesome' Murder Surrenders
- Hundreds Greet Miles Ferguson on Return Home to Portsmouth
- Man Accused of Shooting His Teenage Daughter Indicted
- Child Hit By Bus in Front of School
- HS Football Playoff Scores (11/20)
- UPDATE: I-64 Crash Sends One Person to the Hospital
- Nighttime Burglary Sends One Man to Jail
- O.J. Mayo and Family Gives Free Turkeys and Hams Away
- Ambulance Crashes while En Route to Accident, 3 Hurt
- Hundreds Greet Miles Ferguson on Return Home to Portsmouth
608 Comments - One Dead in Boyd County Crash, Name Released
56 Comments - Huntington City Council Members Discuss Violence in Downtown Bars
30 Comments - One of 2 Teens Wanted in Connection with 'Gruesome' Murder Surrenders
28 Comments - MCTC Picks New Name, Initials Remain the Same
20 Comments - Miley Cyrus Tour Bus Overturns in Va., Killing 1
19 Comments
![]() |
| PHONE IN YOUR YELLS TO: 1-866-616-5354 |
![]() |
Full 2010 Olympic coverage from the WSAZ Olympic Zone. Coverage begins Friday, Feb. 12, at 7:30p with the Opening Ceremony on WSAZ |
![]() |
A glittering holiday show full of fun and surprises for the whole family! Children thrill as Santa takes them on a magical ride to his workshop. |
![]() |
Healthy Connections Find a local health professional |
![]() |
A collection of resources here to help Moms weather the daily storms that come along with parenting. |
| SOMC Very good things are happening here |
|
| WV Lottery Nightly drawings and numbers |
|
| Big Sandy For all your furniture and appliance needs |
|
| Healthy Tri-State Tips to live a healthier lifestyle |





