|
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 |
|
50 Comments 
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!!
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.
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.
|
|
|
Popular Searches Powered by Local.com |
- UPDATE: Two More Arrests in Parking Lot Armed Robbery
- BREAKING NEWS: Former Sunoco in Huntington Shut Down
- Business Destroyed by Fire in Logan County
- IRS Warns to Expect Some Refund Delays
- NASCAR Racer Visits Charleston
- UPDATE: Man Charged in Violent Armed Robbery at Huntington Bar
- Couple Claims Neighbor Child on their Taxes
- Residents Hopeful Dunbar Police Will Move to New Neighborhood
- WSAZ INVESTIGATES: A Southern Ohio Police Impersonator Probe
- Investigation Underway at Johnson County Wrecker Service
- UPDATE: Vigil for Missing 3-Year-Old Girl
430 Comments - UPDATE: Kanawha Sniper Shooting Suspect Requests Change of Venue
158 Comments - UPDATE: New Chief Deputy in Mason County Releases Department Mission Statement
148 Comments - UPDATE: Mother Awaiting Sentence Faces More Trouble
61 Comments - UPDATE: Two More Arrests in Parking Lot Armed Robbery
24 Comments - UPDATE: Guilty Plea in Scioto County Bank Robbery
18 Comments
- Driver herds kids off bus before it blows
- 7-year-old girl fights off alleged kidnapper at Wal-Mart
- 10 states leave school law behind
- Same-sex marriage OK'd in Washington
- Embattled LA school reopens
- Mississippi court hears challenge to pardons
- High court rejects stay in Spanish sunken treasure case
- Resolution to N. Dakota school nickname dispute still seems far off
- The deadly path to legal status
- Birth control by vending machine
- Video of Chinese toddler sobbing in snow sparks outrage
- Challenger to Chavez showing strength in Venezuela
- Spy agency called before Pakistani high court
- Court suspends Spain's most famous judge
- Deposed president faces arrest in the Maldives
- Greek leaders ready to back austerity deal
- More than 700 suffer food poisoning after Mexico rally
- Asylum or 'medical leave' for Chinese crime buster?
- UK: 'No negotiations' on Falklands
- Freeze strains Ukrainian EMS
- Band camp, other clubs suspended
- Champion remembered at event
- More members accused of hazing
- Sandusky urged to stay inside
- Words matter in Penn State case
- Out-of-county jury for Sandusky?
- 4th accuser drops abuse allegations
- Accuser pleads guilty to child sex
- Attorney: Victims to sue university
- Miss. high court considers pardons
- Lakers beat Celtics in OT for rare road win
- Lengthy run of All-Star selections end for Duncan, KG
- Don Banks: Biggest offseason questions in the NFL
- Dirk, Pierce named All-Star reserves
- Tiger off to solid start at Pebble Beach
- Nobody's perfect: Tenn. State clips Murray State
- Rangers, Cruz agree on two-year, $16M contract
- With Lin emerging, Knicks games added in Asia
- 'Oil Can' Boyd admits pitching while high on coke
- Leafs, Wings set for '13 Winter Classic
 |
SOMC
Very good things are happening here. Click here to learn more |
 |
Click here for school closings and delays |
 |
Watch the Lottery Live Monday - Saturday @ 6:59pm on WSAZ NewsChannel 3. Need to check your numbers? Click here. |
 |
Watch the Ohio Lottery Drawings weeknights @ 7:29pm and Cash Explosion Saturday @ 7:30pm on WSAZ NewsChannel 3. |
 |
Click here to donate and help WSAZ help children at risk in our region. Thank you. |
 |
Click here to see how our partners are making Moms and women's lives easier. |
