72 | ROWHOME MAGAZINE gohomephilly.com

On the grounds of Nazareth

Hospital in the Northeast

section of Philadelphia, Dr.

Richard Vassallo’s office

awaits a conference with

the next troubled heart patient. A

wall of Dr. Vassallo’s accolades

and photos of his wife and eight

children are scattered on window-

sills and shelves throughout the

intimate space. Behind his desk

are more photographs including

one of him and wife Mary receiv-

ing Holy Communion from Pope

John Paul II at the Vatican.

The proud graduate of Roman

Catholic High School credits his

alma mater for his place in life as a

recognized, respected cardiolo-

gist. “Roman really motivated me to

go for it. On the track team, I earned

a scholarship to go to St. Joe’s for

college. It really pushed me to do

my best,” Dr. Vassallo claims.

Recently, Dr. Vassallo was hon-

ored with a Distinguished Gradu-

ate Award by the Archdiocese of

Philadelphia for his professional

accomplishments and continued

use of the Catholic values learned

during his education. He recently

received the recognition along-

side Rosalie M. Mirenda, Presi-

dent of Neumann University, and

Marcella B. Schankweiler of the

Thomas More Alumni Association.

His dedication to his work was

recognized when Nazareth Hospi-

tal named a patient care unit in his

honor called the Dr. Richard and

Mary Vassallo and Family Patient

Unit. In addition to his Cardiology

practice at Nazareth, Dr. Vassallo

is Chairman of the Nazareth Hos-

pital Foundation Board and is a

member of the Nazareth Hospital

Operating Board. He also is active

with several community groups

and is especially passionate about

Catholic education.

“You have to support your val-

ues,” Dr. Vassallo firmly believes.

“We support discipline, educa-

tion and what we stand for. A lot

of people don’t get out into their

communities and there is a re-

sponsibility to do it. Especially

when it comes to education.”

He attributes his accomplish-

ments in life to his faith and his

wife. Both, he says, have taken

him further than he could have

gone alone. The good doctor

has not only met and supported

numerous movers and shakers

in the Catholic education system

like philanthropist John Connelly,

but he has even met Mother Te-

resa and several religious leaders

on his many trips to Rome.

“I don’t plan on stopping any

time soon,” Dr. Vassallo prom-

ises. “With Roman High School,

we do a lot for those kids. And it is

important to keep going.”

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by LAUREN GORDON

A Doctor with Heart