Testimonials
Patients and their families
“For our part, we feel the money we spent for Dr. Oberlender’s evaluation are the best medical dollars we have ever spent.”
Drs. Jim and Alice Turner
Charlottesville, VA
Dr. Oberlender’s evaluation and assessment were extremely thorough and provided me with helpful guidance in dealing with my various healthcare providers. He identified some issues never before recognized by any of my providers. His report, which I then provided to my physicians, was extremely helpful in communicating those issues and working to deal with them.
I found Dr. Oberlender delightful. His manner and approach put me totally at ease. I highly recommend Dr. Oberlender’s services.S. Del Low
Roanoke, VA
Whether adjusting our father's medications, advising us on his medical care, or simply visiting with our mother, Dr. Oberlender's professional skill and compassionate manner brought reassurance and comfort to the family during our father's illness. And the positive impact of a physician who makes house calls cannot be overemphasized!
Jan B. Garrett
Roanoke, VA
Dr. Oberlender helped me by doing a geriatric assessment on my 81 year old mother. He was competent, caring, and empathetic and made my mother feel very much at ease. He skillfully used a holistic approach to make sense out of diverse bits of information from various sources, including physicians and other professionals. I would highly recommend him to provide an overall assessment and comprehensive care plan for others to use in caring for their own elderly parents.
Christiana R. Maxwell, RN, BSN
Daleville, VA
Professional Colleagues
I have known Dr. Oberlender for over 20 years. I have always been impressed by the depth and breadth of his medical knowledge, but more importantly by his ability to apply that knowledge to patients in a compassionate and common sense way. His evaluations are always thorough and complete and his recommendations are scientifically based but practical. He is a kind person who communicates well with both patients and their families.
Dr. Oberlender is honest, clear thinking, and very professional. I have sought and valued his opinion on a multitude of issues. He is my Geriatrician of choice for any questions that arise, not only for my patients but also for my family members.
John W. Pendleton, MD
Chief, Rheumatology Section
Salem VA Medical Center
Director, Rheumatology Clinic
Carilion Clinic
Roanoke, VA
I have known Dr. Oberlender since 1983. He has always shown an interest in both the technical and personal aspects of the practice of medicine. He easily passed and became certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine and gained added qualifications in the practice of Geriatrics through the same Board. Passing these difficult examinations and obtaining these certifications are marks of hard work over many years. He has been recognized by his colleagues by being elected as a Fellow in the American College of Physicians, a singular honor that comes to few.
Equally impressive are his interpersonal skills. Not only does he have a gift of knowing how to explain difficult matters but also has the sensitivity to do it well in the stressful circumstances that sometimes mark interactions between sick patients and their physician. These observations that I make come from personal experience in working with him and also from the testimony of patients who have benefited from his care. I am proud to recommend him and call him colleague.
A. Sidney Barritt, III, MD, FACP
Gastroenterology Consultants of
Southwest Virginia, Inc.
Roanoke, VA
I had the opportunity to work with Dr. Oberlender in an intimate fashion at the Salem VA hospital. It was during this time that I became especially familiar with his work as a physician, leader, and person. His skills and abilities as a geriatric physician were excellent and beyond reproach. His interpersonal skills with patients, coworkers, and colleagues were unsurpassed and his communication skills similarly were superb. It was certainly a pleasure to work with him and I always found him facilitating, approachable, diligent, and responsive. His professionalism, integrity, honesty, and objectivity were hallmarks of his practice of medicine.
I trust that others may be able to experience the excellence that he can offer. It is with these thoughts that I unreservedly recommend and endorse Dr. Oberlender’s practice of geriatrics.
Vashist Nobbee, MD
Internist
Lewis Gale Physicians, LLC
Salem, VA
I am fortunate to have worked with Dr. Oberlender for 5 years on a Geriatric Unit. He took a holistic approach to healthcare by addressing our patients' medical needs and also meeting the nutritional requirements of this special population. Dr. Oberlender is a good listener who cared for the family as well as the patient.
Patricia H. Johnson, BSN, RN, RD
Roanoke, VA
I feel privileged to have worked closely with Dr. Oberlender in the treatment of many of his patients. I have always been struck by his warmth and compassion when interacting with patients and their families. Dr. Oberlender is keenly aware that a person’s state of wellness and quality of life is inclusive of their functional abilities, and his detailed evaluation of patients typically includes referral to other disciplines, such as physical therapy, in order to address functional limitations.Those of us who have worked with Dr. Oberlender have been impressed with the breadth of his knowledge of the geriatric patient and his commitment to keeping up with current research in the field of geriatrics. I would highly recommend Dr. Oberlender to anyone!
Sandra S. Cothran, PT, GCS
Roanoke, VA