Heartwarming Honor for CVPH Cardiologist

When Nidal Makhoul, MD reflects back on his more than two decades of providing care in the North Country, he spends a lot of time thinking about his patients.

“The best moment is when you see a patient who is in trouble or might be dying, but you’re able to help save that patient’s life or alleviate suffering,” Dr. Makhoul recalled. “And then you get to keep seeing and talking to that person year after year because they survived.” 

One of Dr. Makhoul’s patients was so grateful for the care he has received over the years that he decided to make a donation in his cardiologist’s name to The Foundation of CVPH through the Honor a Caregiver program. As a result, Dr. Makhoul was presented with a Healthcare Hero pin recently.

The 62-year-old, who said he was surprised by the honor, admitted he doesn’t like to think of himself as a hero.

“Really, we work and we don’t expect anything,” Dr. Makhoul added. “We just do our job. But, every now and then I get some thanks, or hugs, or cards from my patients, and it reminds me why I am doing this.”

Dr. Makhoul has been with CVPH since 2007. He went to Damascus University in Syria for medical school, received postgraduate training in Lyon and Paris, France, attended the Montreal Heart Institute for his fellowship and his residency was at Mount Carmel Health in Columbus, Ohio.

The Honor a Caregiver program allows patients to pay tribute to a hospital team member who offered meaningful comfort and care. Patients, families and colleagues can also nominate a nurse who provides exceptional care for a Daisy Award.