Winter 2010 - St. Joseph's Health Care London

8
Faces oF St. JoSeph’S
world-class treatment
Patients benefit from the expertise of a unique pair
of physicians and the compassionate attention of a
St. Joseph’s volunteer
ExcEllEncE timEs two
Since the day they were born, two St. Joseph’s
physicians have been almost inseparable, and
little has changed as adults. Drs. Gina and Sherry
Rohekar are identical twins and both work as
rheumatologists at St. Joseph’s Hospital.
“Growing up, we both knew we wanted to
be doctors, but each of us was unsure of which
specialty we were interested in,” says Sherry.
“We certainly didn’t plan to end up in the same
department at the same hospital, but things just
sort of worked out that way.”
Gina and Sherry attended medical school
together at The University of Western Ontario.
“Our initial intentions were for each of us to
specialize in different areas of medicine, but we
both loved rheumatology,” says Gina. “In the end
you have to be doing something that makes you
happy every day.”
After training together at St. Joseph’s Hospital,
both knew this was where they wanted to practice.
In the summer of 2006, they were hired as
doctors while continuing to work on master’s
degrees in clinical epidemiology.
Dr. Gina Rohekar, left, and Dr. Sherry Rohekar, twin rheumatologists at
St. Joseph’s Hospital.
Vim & Vigour • WINTER 2010
Peter Lynch
Despite some confused patients who can’t
tell them apart, there are benefits to working
together, say the twins. Their special connection
means better patient care. They consult on tough
cases and bounce ideas off each other.
The good-natured physicians are used to double
takes and perplexed looks in the clinic. But
with a wink and a smile, Sherry jokes that there
is a difference. “Gina is the evil twin.”
For St. Joseph’s, both are unique and an important
part of the world-class rheumatology care
provided to patients.
A wArm wElcomE
He’s a welcoming and friendly presence from the
moment patients and visitors step into St. Joseph’s
Hospital. One of dozens of volunteers who work
at the front entrances, Peter Lynch is doing what
he has always wanted to do, and he loves it.
After 43 years in the hardware business,
Lynch retired in 2007, giving him time to volunteer
at St. Joseph’s. The 69-year-old was drawn to
St. Joseph’s for its legacy of compassionate care
and the inspiration of the Sisters of St. Joseph,
who were his teachers during school.
“Three of my four siblings were born at
St. Joseph’s, and when I badly broke my ankle in
1995, Dr. Jim Roth performed a miracle and put it
back together.”
At least three days a week, Lynch can be found
at the bustling information desks at Cheapside or
Grosvenor streets. He directs patients and families
to their appointments, often bringing them
if volunteer manpower permits. Known for his
caring nature, Lynch senses when patients are
nervous and will chat with them on the way to
their appointment to ease their anxiety.
“I love the contact with people, hearing their
stories, and trying to make them feel comfortable.
The patients and family are so grateful, and
staff too. I absolutely love it.”