Ronald Lehocky, MD

I am known by my younger patients as Dockily Hockily but I also answer to Docky- Hocky, Doctor Ron and Doctor Little Hocky!

I am enjoying my third decade as a caregiver and advocate for children and as an advisor to their parents and families. Our practice is now caring for a third generation of babies. Being entrusted with the well being of the children of the kids we raised is personally fulfilling and a validation of our professional success.

I grew up in Gary, Indiana and was the middle of three children. I worked in the steels mills to earn tuition money for college and medical school. I attended Indiana University in Bloomington and was accepted to Northwestern University Medical School after three years of undergrad. I graduated as a member of the AOA medical honor society in 1969. Subsequently I did my pediatric training at Children s Memorial Hospital in Chicago. Before joining Drs. Kaplan, Barron and Roth in 1974 I spent 2 years in Northern Michigan as a Major in the US Air Force.

During my early training I was drawn to the concerns of special needs children and their families. What a stroke of luck to have found a practice that was founded by Dr. Kaplan who had a similar interest. (Dr. Kaplan helped develop the Child Evaluation Center). Our practice is proud of the role we are playing in helping challenged children and their families.

As a trustee and vice president of the Council on Mental Retardation (www.council-crc.org) I implemented parent outreach programs and conducted support sessions for fathers whose children had special concerns. I was on the advisory committee for the Down Syndrome early intervention program and continued as a consultant for Down Syndrome of Louisville (www.downsyndromeoflouisville.org). In 2001 DSL presented me with the Mary Carter Award. I also was on the professional advisory committee for The Learning Disability Association of Kentucky (www.ldaofky.org) as well as a presenter and panel member at several of their conventions. Recently I became a trustee on the board for KIDS Center (www.cpkidscenter.com). In 2000 I received the Roger Fox award from Kosair Charities (www.kosair.org) for my long standing service to the children of Kentuckianna.

As a Professor on the gratis faculty of the University of Louisville I am involved in teaching at all levels of medical student and resident education.  I am a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics, a certified diplomate of the American Board of Pediatrics.  I also served as president of the Kosair Children's Hospital Medical Staff . I support KCH and Uof L Pediatric Department by chairing or being a member on the numerous committees that support the institutions. I am currently serving my second term as a trustee on the Norton Healthcare Board (www.nortonhealthcare.com) as well as a member of several board committees.

My personal life is complemented by a loving wife (Peg) of thirty years and three grown children (Jennifer, Megan & Dan) as well as 2 grand children (Pamela and Jessica). My personal pleasures center on my home and family. I enjoy landscaping, swimming, reading (mostly fiction), movies, crossword puzzles and traveling. My creativity centers around photography and designing jewelry and object d arte from polymer clay. I was the past president of the Louisville Photographic Society (www.Louisvillephotographic.org). My photographs are included in permanent exhibitions at Kosair Children s Hospital and the Jefferson County Medical Society building. My polymer clay pieces were included in an exhibition at the Kentucky Art and Craft Museum.

I approach life with a positive outlook and a sense of humor. As a pediatrician I am guided by this philosophy: "A hundred years from now it will not matter what my bank account was, the size of the house I lived in or the kind of car I drove. but that the world may be different because I was important to the life of a child."