In Loving Memory of Dr. Joseph A. Kuhn

July 30, 2014

The ObesityHelp team is deeply saddened to share with our members and visitors that of one of our highly regarded community members and advocates, Dr. Joseph A. Kuhn, 55, passed away on Sunday, July 20, 2014.  He was a cherished husband, father, son, brother and friend and a very caring and dedicated surgeon who absolutely loved the work he did in the medical field.  Our thoughts and prayers are with Dr. Kuhn’s family, friends, patients, and the WLS Surgical Associates, P.A. Team. We remain forever grateful to Dr. Kuhn for his dedication to the fight against obesity, his sincere care for his patients and the lives he saved and changed, and his commitment to scientific research.  We are thankful for his many years of support for the advocacy missions within the ObesityHelp.com community . We extend our heartfelt condolences to all who loved him. He will be very much missed.

Remembering Dr. Joseph A. Kuhn

October 3, 1958 - July 20, 2014

"Dr. Kuhn leaves behind a cavern of emptiness for not only his loved ones, but also for those he skillfully healed."-From the obituary of bariatric surgeon, Dr. Joseph A. Kuhn.

No truer words could have been shared in the legacy that Dr. Joseph A. Kuhn has left behind.  Having performed over 15,000 surgeries in his lifetime,  Dr. Kuhn will be remembered for his kindness to others, his gentle smile, and humble and compassionate heart.  He will be remembered for his wealth of knowledge, skilled hands, and for his mentoring of countless professional colleagues.  And above all, he will be remembered as a loving husband to his wife Mollie and as a father who inspired and greatly loved his three children, Kristin, Courtney and Kevin Kuhn.  He was a beloved son and brother, uncle, cousin, and friend, and colleague.

In the OH community and beyond, Dr. Kuhn's compassion and true concern for each and every patient and the professional colleagues he mentored was immeasurable.  Just a few short days before he passed away, and as he fought his own illness, Dr. Kuhn's concern was for his patients' well-being and he reached out via Facebook to try and answer any "burning questions".

Dr. Kuhn was known to pray with his patients prior to surgery and he was like family to many of them.  He would often pose for pictures with those he was charged to care for.

He encouraged and inspired each patient by listening to their hearts and touched their lives in ways that are personal between he and each patient.  Their tributes can be read and remembered in the outpouring of the memories and shared tears on the WLS Surgical Associates Facebook page and in the condolences offered on his Dignity Memorial page.

On July 22, just two days after Dr. Kuhn passed away, his colleague Dr. Jeffrey Henke was charged with breaking the news to many in what was scheduled to be a Q & A Chat.   With a heavy heart,  Dr. Henke wrote:

"Good evening everyone. Dr. Henke with you tonight. We will be taking a different tone tonight. As many of you have heard, Dr. Kuhn unfortunately passed away this weekend. This is a tremendous loss for all of us. I certainly owe him a debt of gratitude for bringing me into his practice and giving me the opportunity to work with him and care for all of you. I hope to continue to make him proud and continue to care for you as he did. I know I have very large shoes to fill. As he wished, the office will remain open. While we do not have details on any arrangements, we will work to get those to you when we do. Please keep his family in your prayers. Please know that he truly loved being able to be a part of all your lives and your journey. He told me he couldn’t imagine a better job in the world. He will be deeply missed. I would like to use tonight as a tribute if you would like to share any personal memories or thanks to him."

Within minutes patients, colleagues, and friends and family were posting their treasured memories:

"He changed my life forever! He truly cared. " wrote many of his patients who promised to not let him down and to make him proud.

"Dr. Kuhn was a treasure to everyone he met."-M&J

" It has been a honor, a privilege, educational and a lot o f fun working for Dr. Kuhn the past 10 years. Dr. Kuhn was a great example for the kind of person anyone would want to be. You have made a place in my heart forever and will be truly missed.  We will make you proud. I love you. Prayers for your family."- Ann E.

"He had my heart and my trust."-Kim Marshall

As a nationally recognized surgeon, Dr. Kuhn led training programs for other bariatric surgeons around the country and was honored by various publications as one of the top doctors in the entire United States. It is of no surprise that he was recognized as a Top Compassionate doctor.

 “I am committed to offering the highest quality of medical care to every patient that I see.”“I love what I am able to offer society by helping people cure their diseases and thereby live longer and better.”-Dr. Joseph A. Kuhn wrote prior to his passing.

Because of the efforts of Dr. John Nemunaitis and Dr. Kuhn's willingness to challenge new medical techniques throughout his illness, upon Dr. Kuhn's passing, he leaves behind renewed hope of cures through gene and vaccine therapy.  Even as death inched closer, Dr. Kuhn was thinking about how he could help others in the future.

Sometimes we go through life not knowing just how much we have helped others with our supportive words, unique skills, and personal relationships.

But Dr. Joseph Kuhn knew…Just ask his patients like Janet S., who have stood in line to tell him so and to share a hug.  Ask his colleagues who strive to be the kind of surgeon and caregiver Dr. Kuhn was.  Ask his family and friends about the kind of man he was; unselfish, giving, loving, and a man of faith who put the care and needs of others first. His legacy will live on within all whose lives he touched.

Rest in Peace Dr. Joseph A. Kuhn. You will be forever missed.

 

 

 

 

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