SOUTH WILLIAMSON, Ky. – When Dr. Vellaiappan Somasundaram – Dr. Soma, as he is commonly known – began his medical career with Appalachian Regional Healthcare in 1999, he did so with no aspirations of staying long-term.

Soma, a native of Palani in southern India, had just completed his internal medicine residency in Rochester, N.Y., when he was recruited for an opening at what was then Man ARH Hospital in West Virginia.

“I signed a 3-year contract and began working as an emergency room physician,” he said. “I thought I would complete the contract and move on.”

When Man ARH closed six months later, however, he said he thought he might be leaving much sooner.

“It was a little scary,” he said. “I had just gotten there and then the hospital closed. I wasn’t sure what was going to happen.”

His fears were quickly put to rest, however, when he was offered the same position at Williamson ARH – now Tug Valley ARH Regional Medical Center – just 43 miles away.

And though his career did not start off quite as he had expected, Soma, who will retire from Tug Valley ARH on Christmas Eve, said it worked out for the best.

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Medicine is a family affair for Soma, as both he and his brother were inspired by a cousin to attend medical school.

“My cousin was in medical school, and he impressed upon my family to go into medicine,” Soma said, adding his cousin went on to become a gastroenterologist and his brother works as a cardiologist.

After Soma graduated, he followed his cousin to England where he trained for four years before passing his MRCP, an exam equivalent to the boards in the United States.

The men then traveled to New York, where Soma completed his residency in Rochester, while his cousin worked in the Bronx.

His 3-year plan initially held true at Tug Valley ARH. But when a friend and fellow physician asked him to help cover his shifts when he was unable to work, Soma’s plans began to shift.

“I helped to open a part-time clinic in his office and when my contract ended, I started a full-time private practice,” he said.

Soma said his practice was busy from the beginning. So, with a thriving business and two young children – sons Kylesh and Eashwar – he said he and his wife Kavitha decided to settle down.

“I like it here,” he said of South Williamson and Tug Valley ARH. “It’s very quiet. I like my patients and they like me. It’s a very nice and friendly place to live.”

Though self-employed, Soma continued to “moonlight” in the ER at Tug Valley.

“I didn’t want to step away entirely because I’ve always liked the kind of work you do as an ER physician,” he said. “It’s special because when a patient comes in for whatever reason, you’re the first one to see them and to help them.”

Soma, whose practice is now run by Tug Valley ARH, has held many different roles – including hospital chief of staff – over the past 26 years.

And though he enjoyed the leadership opportunities, he said his favorite experience is simple.

“I’ve taken care of three generations of patients,” he said. “I know whole families because I’ve cared for them as children and then watched them grow up as they have children.

“I can’t go to Walmart without meeting someone I know,” he continued. “This is my town.”

But as much as he loves his community and his practice, Soma said the time has come for him to move on.

“My wife and son Kylesh moved to Dallas a year ago for his work,” Soma said, explaining he has been on his own in South Williamson, as his other son, Eashwar, who hopes to become an oncologist, completes his residency training in Massachusetts.

“Every two weeks I drive 4-5 hours to Cincinnati to fly to Dallas to visit them,” he said. “It’s been very difficult and a little lonely.

“It’s just time to join them.”

And though he’s leaving, he said he will never be completely gone.

“I’ve already booked my ticket for Hillbilly Days in the spring,” Soma said of his plans to attend the popular annual event in nearby Pikeville, Ky.

“This has become home.

“I’ve lived here longer than I’ve lived anywhere else in my life so it’s very special.”

Soma announced his retirement in September. Since then, he said, every day has felt like a retirement party.

“People come in and hug me and give me gifts,” he said. “Some people cry, and it’s very hard for me to not cry but I’m definitely feeling it inside.

“It’s very emotional.”

Tug Valley ARH CEO Paula Vaughan said the community response is due to the care Soma has provided for more than two decades.

“Dr. Soma’s compassion, clinical expertise and unwavering commitment to our patients has made a lasting impact that will be felt for years to come,” she said. “I am grateful for all he has done for our patients, families and our community.

“He is not only an excellent physician, but he’s also a wonderful person and we will miss him dearly.”

Soma returned the sentiment to Vaughan, the staff at Tug Valley ARH and to the community he has grown to love.

“ARH has been very good to me and to my family,” he said. “I just want to thank everyone for supporting us and for becoming part of our family.

“I never thought I would be here for 26 years, but I’m very happy I was.”

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