Dr. Anna Kuruvilla Chacko M.D. Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Dr Anna K. Chacko, Col US Army (ret). October 1st, 1944 - May 12th, 2022. Mother. Sister. Grandmother. Wife. Caregiver. Daughter. Friend. Healer. Warrior. Champion for the underdog. Leader. Artist. Chef. Collector of beautiful things. Storyteller. Visionary. Teacher. Author. Dr Chacko died on May 12th at 2am, leaving in her wake an army of friends, family and fans, whose lives she touched in profound ways. Her life started with the drama and action that characterized her. Born with her belly not fully closed, she had to fight to stay alive. She set medical school records in India that reportedly still stand today. Moving to the US, she brought her unique genius to the Army Medical Corps. From chief of Nuclear Medicine in Hawaii, she rose to consultant to the Surgeon General. She served as Chief of Radiology in the largest hospital system in the U.S. Military, where the Virtual Radiology Environment she set up allowed far flung hospitals and clinics to share their digital X-rays and scans. She clearly saw a brighter future, where doctors could better serve their patients at less expense. Her vision inspired some, while others she had to drag across the finish line. Her tenacity, fighting spirit and determination to ensure that her patients were best served ensnared her in many political battles. After she retired from the Army, she took the fight to stamp out corruption to civilian hospitals, and to the VA as well. Big battles fought and won, she returned to her roots in individual patient care, establishing a rewarding solo medical practice, where she was thrilled to bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to care for a very underserved population. She is survived by her husband Howard W. Lollar, her sister, and two sons who gave her three grandchildren - who gave her great joy. But her purest joy, however, came from seeing patients and touching their lives. It is in keeping with her style that she leaves the world in much the same manner that she entered it — fighting and savoring life. She has set us up well to continue the fight in her name. It is our deepest hope that in death she can lay down her warrior’s mantle and find what she rarely did in life: Peace. Cremation has taken place. Memorial services will be conducted Tuesday, June 7th at 2 PM in Wayrynen-Richards Funeral Home with Sister MaryJo McDonald SCL officiating.

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Dr. Anna Kuruvilla Chacko M.D.

October 1, 1944 - May 12, 2022