West Side Pediatrician amongst Those Killed in Afghanistan Last Week
Photo By: Bernardo Barrios
A pediatrician who was part of a west side health center’s staff, was one of three American doctors killed in Kabul, Afghanistan, last Thursday morning when an Afghan police officer, reportedly opened fire in a hospital where the doctor trained medical residents and treated pediatric patients.
Dr. Jerry Umanos, 57, served as a pediatrician at the Lawndale Christian Health Center for 25 years and for nearly a decade, volunteered in Afghanistan to train medical residents and to see pediatric patients.
“Today, the staff and patients of Lawndale Christian Health Center, (3860 W Ogden Ave.), lost a very dear friend, devoted colleague, and gifted doctor,” read a statement released on the Health Center’s website. “…This loss is a loss for his family and those he worked with, as well as for the people of Afghanistan. He was a loving, caring physician who served all his patients with respect.”
Ill. Gov. Pat Quinn released the following statement on the death of Dr. Umanos, saying, “I was very saddened to hear of the tragic death of Dr. Jerry Umanos, ‘Dr. Jerry,’ a kind-hearted and selfless man who for years sacrificed the comforts of home to serve those in need overseas. Dr. Jerry helped countless people throughout his lifetime. While there are no words in the English language to ease the pain, we can find comfort in his life’s work and all those he healed here at home and around the world. I offer my condolences to Dr. Jerry Umanos’ wife, their children and his colleagues at the Lawndale Christian Health Center and in Kabul.”
The fatal shootings reportedly took place as the doctor and the others were walking out of CURE International Hospital in western Kabul and are the latest in a string of deadly attacks on foreign civilians in the Afghan capital this year, according to the Associated Press.
CURE International specializes in children's and maternal health and is considered one of Afghanistan’s’ leading hospitals that focuses on maternity and pediatric care and serves 37,000 patients annually in addition to being a training institution.
The security guard reportedly shot himself after the attack and was treated at the hospital before being transferred to Afghan custody.
Umanos was a graduate of Wayne State University School of Medicine and completed his residency at the Children's Hospital of Michigan.
Dr. Umanos is said to have dedicated his service to poor children.
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