Four Cleveland Doctors to be Honored For Service to Patients and Community

Induction Ceremony to be held Nov. 3 at The Club at Key Center

Cleveland — Oct. 31, 2007 — St. Vincent Charity Hospital will induct four distinguished physicians to its Society of St. Luke at a formal ceremony on Saturday, November 3, at The Club at Key Center. The Society of St. Luke was established in conjunction with the Sisters of Charity Health System to recognize and honor select members of the St. Vincent Charity Hospital Medical Staff for their distinguished service to patients and the community, and for their commitment to the Hospital’s mission.

“Through this honorary society, we celebrate the contributions of these esteemed physicians They have selflessly given their unique talents for the benefit of their patients and mankind, and have served St. Vincent Charity Hospital and the community in an outstanding capacity,” said Jeffrey S. Jeney, President and CEO, St. Vincent Charity Hospital.

St. Luke, author of one of the four Christian Gospels and a physician, is recognized by the Catholic Church as the Patron Saint of Physicians. In his Gospel, St. Luke emphasized Jesus’ concern for humanity, especially for the poor and neglected, and wrote about the Lord’s many miracles of healing. The spirit of St. Luke continues in The Society of St. Luke at St. Vincent Charity Hospital.

The following physicians will be inducted to The Society of St. Luke:

Joseph A. Sopko, M.D., has been a member of the Medical Staff at St. Vincent Charity Hospital since 1979. He received his medical degree from Tufts University, and completed his internship, residency and fellowship training at University of Iowa Hospitals.

Some of the significant roles Dr. Sopko takes on at St. Vincent Charity Hospital include: Medical Director, Pulmonary Services; Director, Medical Intensive Care Unit; Director, Department of Medicine; and Chair, Division of Pulmonary Medicine. In addition, he shares his knowledge and expertise through the Hospital’s medical residency program.

Among his many contributions, Dr. Sopko played an integral role in establishing the Hospital’s Regional Center for Blood Conservation – one of the first hospital-wide blood conservation programs in the country – and was one of the physician champions involved in obtaining licensure for respiratory therapists in the state of Ohio in 1988.

“Dr. Sopko’s involvement in patient care, medical education and community service is outstanding,” said Sister Mary Patricia Barrett, CSA, Special Assistant to the President, Sisters of Charity Health System. “It was through a family incident that I have first-hand experience regarding his excellent care of patients. His compassion for others is expressed through his everyday actions, inside and outside the Hospital.”

In the community, Dr. Sopko serves on the Board of Directors of the Tobacco Use Prevention and Control Foundation (TUPCF) of Ohio, the Board of Trustees of the Sisters of Charity Health System, the Board of Medical Consultants for the Cleveland Police Department and the Respiratory Therapy Advisory Committee for Cuyahoga Community College. A proponent of boating safety, he also teaches classes and participates in public service campaigns as an active volunteer member of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary.

Dr. Sopko is deeply loved by his family, patients, students and fellow Caregivers, alike. His generosity is evident through his earned awards and acts of kindness. He received the 2007 Teacher of the Year Award from the St. Vincent Charity Hospital Internal Medicine Program. As supporters of the Hospital and its mission, Dr. Sopko and his wife, Elizabeth Macintyre, M.D., have purchased tables at various fundraising events and invited Hospital staff to attend in appreciation for their service to patients.

Charity A. Kankam, M.D., has been a member of the Medical Staff at St. Vincent Charity Hospital for more than 17 years. Loved and admired by patients and colleagues, alike, she is a role model of selfless service to others.

“[Dr. Kankam is]…an example of all that is best at St. Vincent Charity Hospital,” said Elizabeth P. Macintyre, M.D., St. Vincent Charity Hospital. “Not only is she a superb clinician, but what makes her so extraordinary is her everyday witness to the Christian values of service, compassion and care for the poor and needy. She has served this hospital faithfully and well, caring equally for the man who owns his own company and for the one who cannot afford a new pair of shoes.”

Specializing in nephrology, Dr. Kankam joined the Hospital in 1990. Among her many roles, she has served for two consecutive terms as Medical Staff President. Additionally, she has served as Director of Nephrology since 1994, and is a teacher to medical residents and attending staff.

Dr. Kankam’s deep compassion and concern for others extends far beyond the borders of the United States to her birth country, Ghana, West Africa. When the Ghana government refused to fund a much needed dialysis center, Dr. Kankam personally organized, coordinated and raised funds. Through her perseverance, she succeeded in establishing the second dialysis center in Ghana in 2006. Today, patients from locations throughout the country travel to the Center for life-saving dialysis services.

Dr. Kankam holds a medical degree from the University of Toronto in Canada, where she also completed her residency and fellowship training. In addition to caring for patients at the Hospital, she is a member of the Internal Medicine & Nephrology Group.

Helmut Schreiber, M.D., F.A.C.S., has been a member of the St. Vincent Charity Hospital and Saint Luke’s Medical Center family for more than 19 years. A bariatric and general surgeon, he is highly regarded as a leader and pioneer in the surgical treatment of morbid obesity.

Dr. Schreiber received his medical degree from The Ohio State University, and completed his internship and residency training at Case Western Reserve University and University Hospitals of Cleveland. After working at several Cleveland-area hospitals, Dr. Schreiber joined Saint Luke’s Medical Center. There, he served for 11 years as Director of the Department of Surgery and the Surgical Residency Program. In 1999, he came to St. Vincent Charity Hospital as Director, Department of Surgery.

In 1997, motivated by his unwavering dedication to helping his patients in overcoming morbid obesity, Dr. Schreiber founded the Center for Bariatric Surgery. Today, the Center is a leader in surgical weight loss, touching the lives of more than 6,000 individuals.

Beyond improving the lives of bariatric patients, Dr. Schreiber has served as a teacher to medical residents, and provided surgical care to countless individuals in need, regardless of ability to pay. In 2003, he was inducted to Cleveland Magazine’s Medical Hall of Fame in recognition of his groundbreaking work in the field of bariatric surgery.

Although Dr. Schreiber retired in August 2007, his legacy of innovation and leadership continues to impact patients, families and the Caregivers of St. Vincent Charity Hospital.

Javier Lopez, M.D., F.A.C.S., has served as a general practitioner and surgeon in the Cleveland area for more than 40 years. Known for his dedication to serving the poor and underserved, he is an inspiration to all.

“‘Whatsoever you do unto the least of these, my people, you do unto me.’ This is a quote from the teachings of Jesus Christ, which so much personifies the life of Dr. Javier Lopez,” said Carl P. Kelly, D.O., St. Vincent Charity Hospital. “A physician, surgeon, father, husband, grandfather, teacher, community activist, compassionate listener and adviser, spiritual leader, missionary and philanthropist, [Dr. Lopez] is always willing to ask the question, ‘What can I do for you?’”

Dr. Lopez joined the medical staff at St. Vincent Charity Hospital in 2003. Although only on staff for four years, he has already created a special place in the hearts of both patients and Caregivers. He has served on the Medical Executive Committee, and actively participates in the Hospital’s Internal Medicine Residency Program, frequently presenting at noon conferences.

Prior to joining the Hospital, Dr. Lopez served for many years as a highly respected and beloved member of the medical staff at the former St. Alexis/Saint Michael Hospital. Among his many roles, he was Chairman, Department of Surgery; Chairman, Surgical Care Appraisal Committee; and Chairman, Tumor Conferences.

Dr. Lopez has organized numerous medical missions to Honduras and Colombia. During these missions, he and a volunteer team of physicians, nurses and clergy provided medical, surgical, educational and spiritual care to the poor and underserved populations of these regions. In addition to his missionary work, Dr. Lopez has testified in Congress as a patient advocate and participated on numerous service and educational boards.

Dr. Lopez received his undergraduate degree from the Universidad Bolivariana, and his medical degrees from Universidad de Antioquia, both in Colombia, South America. His internship, residency and fellowship training were completed at the former St. Alexis Hospital and Medical Center in Cleveland.

A permanent commemoration of the Society of St. Luke inductees can be viewed at St. Vincent Charity Hospital in the First Floor Family Lounge.

About St. Vincent Charity Hospital

St. Vincent Charity Hospital is a 480-bed, full-service inpatient and outpatient healthcare center dedicated to its mission of providing quality, Catholic healthcare. The Hospital has served the Greater Cleveland community for more than 142 years. St. Vincent Charity Hospital and its satellite facilities are jointly owned by the Sisters of Charity Health System and University Hospitals. For more information, visit www.stvincentcharity.com.