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ROWHOME MAGAZINE gohomephilly.com
O
n the grounds of Nazareth
Hospital in the Northeast
section of Philadelphia, Dr.
Richard Vassallos ofce
awaits a conference with
the next troubled heart patient. A
wall of Dr. Vassallos accolades
and photos of his wife and eight
children are scattered on window-
sills and shelves throughout the
intimate space. Behind his desk
are more photographs including
one of him and wife Mary receiv-
ing Holy Communion from Pope
John Paul II at the Vatican.
The proud graduate of Roman
Catholic High School credits his
alma mater for his place in life as a
recognized, respected cardiolo-
gist. Roman really motivated me to
go for it. On the track team, I earned
a scholarship to go to St. Joes for
college. It really pushed me to do
my best, Dr. Vassallo claims.
Recently, Dr. Vassallo was hon-
ored with a Distinguished Gradu-
ate Award by the Archdiocese of
Philadelphia for his professional
accomplishments and continued
use of the Catholic values learned
during his education. He recently
received the recognition along-
side Rosalie M. Mirenda, Presi-
dent of Neumann University, and
Marcella B. Schankweiler of the
Thomas More Alumni Association.
His dedication to his work was
recognized when Nazareth Hospi-
tal named a patient care unit in his
honor called the Dr. Richard and
Mary Vassallo and Family Patient
Unit. In addition to his Cardiology
practice at Nazareth, Dr. Vassallo
is Chairman of the Nazareth Hos-
pital Foundation Board and is a
member of the Nazareth Hospital
Operating Board. He also is active
with several community groups
and is especially passionate about
Catholic education.
You have to support your val-
ues, Dr. Vassallo rmly believes.
We support discipline, educa-
tion and what we stand for. A lot
of people dont get out into their
communities and there is a re-
sponsibility to do it. Especially
when it comes to education.
He attributes his accomplish-
ments in life to his faith and his
wife. Both, he says, have taken
him further than he could have
gone alone. The good doctor
has not only met and supported
numerous movers and shakers
in the Catholic education system
like philanthropist John Connelly,
but he has even met Mother Te-
resa and several religious leaders
on his many trips to Rome.
I dont plan on stopping any
time soon, Dr. Vassallo prom-
ises. With Roman High School,
we do a lot for those kids. And it is
important to keep going. Q
j
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A Doctor with Heart