Ronald Lehocky, MD

Pediatrician in Louisville, KY

I am known by my younger patients as “Dockily Hockily” but also answer to Docky-Hocky, Doctor Ron and Doctor Little Hocky.

Now in my fourth decade as a caregiver and advocate for children, I enjoy being a facilitator for parents and families. Our practice is now caring for a fourth generation of babies.  Being entrusted with the well being of the children of the kids we help raise is personally fulfilling and a validation of our professional success.

I grew up in Gary, Indiana and was the middle of three children. I worked in the steel mills to earn tuition money for college and medical school. I attended Indiana University in Bloomington and was accepted to Northwestern University Medical School after three years of undergrad. I graduated as a member of the AOA medical honor society in 1969. My pediatric training was done at Children’s Memorial Hospital in Chicago. Then I spent 2 years in northern Michigan as a Major in the US Air Force before joining Drs. Kaplan, Barron and Roth in 1974.

During my early training I was drawn to the concerns of special needs children and their families. What a stroke of luck to have found a practice that was founded by Dr. Kaplan who had a similar interest! (Dr. Kaplan helped develop the Weiskoff Child Evaluation Center). Our practice is proud of the role that we play helping challenged children and their families.

As a trustee and vice president of the Council on Mental Retardation, I implemented parent outreach programs and conducted support sessions for fathers whose children had special needs. I was on the advisory committee for the Down Syndrome early intervention program and continued as a consultant for Down Syndrome of Louisville. In 2001 DSL presented me with the Mary Carter Award for outstanding service and contributions in the improving the quality of life for people with Down Syndrome.  While serving on the professional advisory committee for The Learning Disability Association of Kentucky, I was a presenter and panel member at several of their conventions. Recently I became a trustee on the board for KIDS Center, and am currently serving as chairman of the board. In 2000 I received the Roger Fox Award from Kosair Charities for my long standing service to the children of Kentucky.

As a Professor on the gratis faculty of the University of Louisville, I am involved in teaching pediatrics to medical student as well as residents. In addition to having served as president of the Kosair Children’s Hospital Medical Staff,  I continue to support KCH and Uof L Pediatric Department as being the chair or being a member of the numerous committees. Currently, I am serving my third term as a trustee on the Norton Healthcare Board as well as a the chairman of the Quality, Clinical Service and Safety Committee for NHC .

My personal life is complemented by my loving wife of thirty-eight years, Peg, three grown children (Jennifer, Megan & Dan) and 5 grandchildren. My personal pleasures center on my home and family. I enjoy landscaping, swimming, reading (mostly fiction), movies, crossword puzzles and traveling. My creativity centers around photography, designing jewelry and object d’arte from polymer clay. You can read about my heart project at the Kids center website, where I was the former president of the Louisville Photographic Society. My photographs are included in permanent exhibitions at Kosair Children’s Hospital and the Jefferson County Medical Society building. My polymer pieces were included in an exhibition at the Kentucky Art and Craft Museum.

In 2008, the Kentucky Speech-Language-Hearing Association presented me its Appreciation award for promoting quality services for individuals with communication disorders. Also in 2008 I received the Compassionate Physician Award from the Jewish Hospital and St. Mary’s Foundation.

In 2009, I was the recipient of a BELL AWARD for my heart project. In August 2012 I received the prestigious Don Cantley Award from the Kentucky Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics for outstanding work with community based activities to improve the health and well being of the children of Kentucky.

I approach life with a positive outlook and a sense of humor. As a pediatrician I am guided by this philosophy: “A hundred years from now it will not matter what my bank account was, the size of the house I lived in or the kind of car I drove…but that the world may be different because I was important to the life of a child.”

There is no one recipe for being a perfect parent. My recommendation is to do the best with what God gave you (that goes not only for the child but for yourself). More than anything a child needs to feel loved, respected, appreciated and supported to thrive.

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