Nationally recognized plastic surgeon receives recognition for service to veterans

EAST STROUDSBURG — Dr. Charles K. Herman, Chief Medical Executive and Chairman of Surgery and Pocono Medical Center (PMC) received special recognition from Rebuilding America’s Warriors (R.A.W.) for their work with the Iraq Star Foundation. A plaque was recently presented to Dr. Herman “For Distinguished Service on Behalf of the Iraq Star Foundation.”

Through this foundation, Herman has joined more than 300 surgeons around the country in providing charitable medical and surgical care to injured American soldiers needing reconstructive plastic surgery.

More than three years ago, Herman’s surgery on Sergeant Tim Juliano at PMC was featured on the Discovery Channel’s “American Chopper” television series and was watched by an audience of more than four million viewers internationally.

In 2007, PMC was one of the first healthcare organizations in the nation to join this initiative.

“It is both an honor and a privilege to care for our servicemen and women who have so unselfishly protected us and defended our freedom,” commented Kathleen E. Kuck, President and CEO, Pocono Health System/Pocono Medical Center.

Dr. Charles Herman adds, “Providing a service like this is exactly why I am in medicine as this gives me an opportunity to not only help a patient but also to serve individuals who have served us so honorably.”

More than 40,000 brave men and women have returned wounded from Iraq and Afghanistan. They must now face the daunting challenge of recovery. The Iraq Star Foundation is now part of the R.A.W., a non-profit foundation dedicated to providing free reconstructive surgery to recently wounded and disfigured active service and veteran status warriors.

Individuals can learn more about R.A.W. by visiting www.rebuildingamericaswarriors.com.