Dr. Bassam Ghabach, MD, had never expected to hear his name called as the 2025 Physician of the Year. The longtime hematologist and oncologist, who has served JPS Health Network for over a decade, said the moment felt especially meaningful because the nomination came from one of his own patients.
“This award means a lot to me because it usually comes from our peers who recognize the work we do at JPS,” Ghabach said. “But what makes it extra special is that it was a patient who nominated me.”
That patient, Patsy West, has been under his care for years. Her heartfelt words captured the very reason so many patients trust him.
“He didn’t make me feel like another statistic, but someone he was going to help get through the plan of care,” said West.
“We have peace of mind knowing that someone like Dr. Ghabach is on our side of the battle."
Dr. Ghabach’s path took him from Université Saint-Joseph to Kansas to New Orleans, shaping a physician grounded in both curiosity and compassion. Yet it wasn’t until he reached JPS that he found a community that felt like purpose. What he once thought would be a chapter became a calling sustained by patients who inspired him and work that truly mattered.
“I fell in love with the patient population,” Dr. Ghabach said. “You feel like you’re making a difference every day.”
For him, that difference stems from seeing the whole person, not just their diagnosis or the medical aspect of care. He builds trust intentionally, jotting down personal milestones, asking about family members, and even learning words in a patient’s language. These small details help form the kind of bond that makes facing cancer feel less overwhelming.
“I want the interaction to feel like a relationship, not a transaction,” said Dr. Ghabach.
Oncology can bring both hopeful and heartbreaking moments. Dr. Ghabach acknowledges the emotional weight of this field but finds that human connections keep him grounded. One particularly vivid memory he recalls is of a young patient with metastatic colon cancer who lived more than four additional years. This extra time allowed the patient to care for his children and prepare his family for the future.
“Even at the end, he was grateful,” Dr. Ghabach said. “Helping someone live longer and allowing them to pass with dignity is still a win. Even if their cancer isn’t curable, we can help patients live meaningful, dignified lives.”
Patients feel that compassion deeply. West said she often overheard others sharing how much they appreciated his kindness and the sense of safety he offered during treatment.
“Every visit with him, he made me feel hopeful,” said West.
To Dr. Ghabach, the Physician of the Year award reflects the spirit of teamwork at JPS.
“Anytime I need help, from surgery, behavioral health, endocrine, no one ever turns me down,” Ghabach said. “That’s what makes this place special.”
But to patients like West, the reason is simple. He treats them with humanity.
“We have peace of mind knowing that someone like Dr. Ghabach is on our side of the battle,” said West.