Long, Dangerous Road Leads Doctor to PCH Specialty Clinics

Dr Kahm Vay Ung recently expanded his practice to the Pender Community Hospital Specialty Clinic. A very determined doctor of podiatry, Dr. Ung grew up as a soldier during the Vietnam War. At the age of 16 he meet an American who help him out and got him a job in the American Embassy in the Defense Intelligence Agency. In 1975 his family fled to Thailand but Ung was unable to go due to his job. Late one night he snuck down to a lake to cross the river to Thailand. Unable to swim he held on for dear life and made it to Thailand only to be captured as a spy. The determination that got him into Thailand helped him to escape and find work and continue his search for his family. By chance he found his family of 9 and soon was able to contact the Americans and received protection papers. They went to Fort Chaffy, Ark. Ung and his family were given a choice of Chicago, Los Angeles, Houston, San Fransico or Centerville, IA to live.

Ungs father wanted to move to Los Angels but Ung wanted to go to Centerville. His father was hesitant but agreed. The Centerville Methodist Church sponsored the Ung family and taught them English.

Dr Ung worked two to three jobs to make ends meet but decided he wanted more. With a 6th grade education he went on to college. He soon found it was hard but also realized he did not come this far to fail. He graduated in 4 years with a degree in biology and chemistry and was a teachers' assistant for an advanced chemistry course.

Dr Ung created a path for his family to follow. All seven of his brothers and sisters worked many jobs to help pay their way to attend college.

Today Dr Ung works several jobs and travels to different Indian reservations in the United States, Belize, Canada, Guatemala, Australia and New Zealand to combat the diabetes epidemic.

Dr Ungs knowledge of podiatry has spread throughout the world, even to the music world. A member of the Hank Williams band heard of Dr Ung and asked that he look at her X-ray. Dr Ung was able to save her foot. Since then he has doctored many famous Nashville artists such as Willie Nelson and B.B. King.