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Meet Your Neighbor: Dr. Joseph Adashek
By Callie Thomas
When’s the last time you heard of a doctor that makes house calls? The closest you’ll probably come to that is watching a Turner Classic Movie comedy starring Doris Day. What about a doctor that makes flight calls? Now there’s an idea—speedy service for sure. Resident Dr. Joseph Adashek is a board certified OB/GYN physician, a board certified Maternal-Fetal Medicine Specialist and an Associate Clinical Professor of the University of Nevada School of Medicine who just happens to have a passion for flying. Mix it all together and you’ll get a compassionate, caring and nurturing doc that volunteers his time to ferry patients with serious medical conditions and their families by plane to receive vital treatment through a nonprofit organization called “Angel Flight.”
It’s easy to consider Dr. Joseph Adashek an angel of sorts because of his devotion to taking care of women and children and his concerted effort to help support many local organizations throughout the community. He and his family are involved with Planned Parenthood and Dr. Adashek sees patients through the Shade Tree women’s shelter. In addition, he supports the efforts of the March of Dimes and the Susan G. Komen Foundation, and his eight year old daughter has contributed hair for the St. Baldrick’s organization, a program that helps to conquer childhood cancer. Whether he’s delivering healthy babies or coming to the aid of high risk women, he’s been honored with a long list of awards that include being named “Top Doctor” several years in a row and the Nevada Cancer Institute’s Vegas Dozen in 2010. Dr. Adashek makes an indelible difference in the community, one patient at a time, and he talked with us about his personal style of doctoring, his love of flying and the women he’s devoted to at home.
Have you always wanted to be a doctor?
“All I’ve ever wanted to do was be a doctor. I literally live my dream each and every day of my life. I truly feel like I am the luckiest person in the world.”
Your patients feel lucky having you as their doctor. You really take care of them.
“When my father was dying of cancer, we waited every day for the doctor to come visit him. He was almost like a ‘number.’ I never wanted to be that type of doctor. I treat each patient like they are my sister or wife. I give them my cell number and come in on weekends and nights to see them. I never want them waiting all day just so I can pop my head into their room and say hello.”
You’ve taken that commitment to your patients to the skies. When did you first get interested in becoming a pilot?
“I’ve always wanted to be a pilot and take flying lessons. My wife saw it on a ‘to do’ list early in our marriage, so she gave me the gift of a few lessons. I loved it, so I continued with my training. I started out obtaining my Private Pilot Certificate and went on to obtain my Instrument Rating. I now own a high performance airplane and try to fly at least once a week.”
When did you decide to become involved with Angel Flight?
“I remember reading an article about it and thought that it would be a perfect charity for me to devote my time and energy. I can really make a difference and I see the immediate effect that I have for these people. Since I love to fly, it doesn’t feel like I’m going out of my way. Flying patients (usually cancer patients for chemotherapy or radiation) and their families is incredibly rewarding and they are so appreciative.”
Speaking of family, tell us about your wife and daughter and how you make them feel special.
“Yes, my wife Sharon and daughter Sydney. Every Friday is Daddy-Mommy-Daughter night and every Saturday is Mommy-Daddy date night. These are my favorite nights of the week.”
[…] To read the Zip Code Magazine article in it’s entirety click on the this link: Your Neighbor – Dr. Adashek […]