Cardiologist Dr. Khawar Gul has been named Lompoc Valley Medical Center Physician of the Year for 2021. A member of the LVMC medical staff since August 2010, this is the second time Dr. Gul has earned the title of Physician of the Year, previously holding it in 2012.
Employees cast votes for the physician they believe exemplifies the district’s values and maintains the trust of the community, patients and residents. The votes are also directed toward a doctor who strives continuously to improve services, and who works as a team member with hospital staff.
The award was bestowed this week by Steve Popkin, CEO at LVMC, during the annual Medical Staff Appreciation reception.
“I am in the company of very talented, smart and hard-working physicians,” Dr. Gul said in accepting the award. “It is an honor to be nominated the Physician of the Year amongst yourselves. I’m at a loss for words to describe my feelings. But I am very thankful to be given an opportunity to help this community.
“I thank the employees who nominated me and accept this award on their behalf.”
Dr. Gul completed his medical training at Rawalpindi Medical College and his residency in internal medicine at the University of Texas Medical School in Houston. He completed a fellowship in Cardiovascular Diseases and a fellowship in Cardiac Computed Tomography at UCLA.
Last year, Dr. Gul donated a GE Healthcare cardiovascular ultrasound machine to LVMC and is a frequent contributor to Nurses Week and Hospital Week celebrations.
He was presented with a scroll of comments written by LVMC employee nominations. Many of them spoke of his responsiveness, work ethic and dedication.
“Dr. Gul has gone above and beyond to provide education to staff,” one nomination noted. “He has come in after hours and on weekends to provide in-services including EKG, newborn heart murmurs and more. Dr. Gul is always very approachable and loves to help staff increase their knowledge.”
Many nominations noted Dr. Gul’s traditional “Greetings” comment to colleagues and others. The nominations spoke of his kindness and patience.
“Dr. Gul is very knowledgeable in his field and shares that with his patients in a way that makes them feel comfortable and having gained knowledge of their condition,” a nomination stated. “He is very approachable, friendly and a real asset for our community and LVMC.”
Also honored during the medical staff appreciation event were retiring physicians Dr. William Gausman and Dr. Michael Gill.
Dr. Gausman came to Lompoc in 1960 and has practiced family medicine, obstetrics, and anesthesiology for more than 60 years. He was an original founder of Lompoc Valley Medical Group, known in the community as VMG. He and Ricki Prucha, R.N., have worked together for more than 45 years. They will both retire on Dec. 31.
Dr. Gausman was honored for his commitment to the community and devotion to his patients, having treated generations of local residents during his career.
“We’ve enjoyed the patients,” he said, noting that some have become his friends. “Three months after I got here, I delivered a gal. She still comes to see me from Paso Robles. I delivered her daughter also. You get to know a lot of people.”
Dr. Gausman received a rousing standing ovation from his colleagues. “He has helped set the highest standard of medical care and continues to be a role model for his peers,” stated his recognition gift.
Dr. Gill has served the community as an orthopedic surgeon since 1985, including as the team physician for Lompoc High School athletics. He was also previously LVMC chief of the medical staff. He is a “personal and professional role model for many of his colleagues,” according to his recognition gift.
“There’s a lot to say,” Dr. Gill said during the event. “The best thing about this whole experience is I got to work with a bunch of really, really good folks. We always helped each other out. We were always interested in the patients. For all the young folks here, don’t forget that.”
Previous Physicians of the Year include Dr. Rahim Raoufi, 2020; Dr. Cedric Kwon, 2019; Dr. Rollin Bailey, 2018; Dr. Tomas Machin, 2017; Dr. Cindy Blifeld, 2016; and Dr. Randall Michel, 2015.