Heart to heart friendship

The gift of friendship is invaluable. Nobody knows this better than Ocala residents Geneva Thompson and Betty Pritchard, who have been best friends since meeting at Bible Baptist Church in the early 1970s.

The memories they’ve shared since that time are endless. They’ve laughed together, lifted each other’s spirits, and served as a source of comfort and security for one another during difficult and sad times.

“Betty is a like a sister to me,” Geneva says. “I can tell her things that I would never tell anyone else. I also know that if I ever need anything I can rely on her. You cannot do those things with just anybody.”

Betty echoes those sentiments. “I understand Geneva and she understands me. Growing up, I had six brothers and no sisters. I consider Geneva to be the sister I never had.”

“Dr. Qamar is the kindest doctor I’ve ever met,” Betty says. “His staff is the same way. Everyone is just like family, and I never feel like I’m inside a doctor’s office.” her life. She went to Dr. Qamar for follow-up care, and after discovering additional blockages, he placed stents in her legs and kidneys.

Betty first met Dr. Qamar in 2004. At the time, her heart rate had slowed considerably, and she was having difficulty breathing. She visited Dr. Qamar’s office and underwent diagnostic tests. He discovered three blockages in her heart.

Of course, an admiration for each other is not the only thing these longtime friends have in common. They both readily admit that no doctor touches their heart—no pun intended—quite like Dr. Asad Qamar of Institute of Cardiovascular Excellence. Betty referred Geneva to Dr. Qamar years ago. Both will tell you that Dr. Qamar’s expertise in cardiovascular care, combined with his thoroughness, is the reason their friendship continues today.

“He put two stents in me, and as far as I’m concerned he saved my life,” Betty says. “Unlike some doctors, he does a lot of testing instead of lots of guessing. I really appreciate that. My husband, Homer, is also a patient of ICE. His two brothers suffered aneurysms, and Homer was frustrated that his previous cardiologist refused to give him adequate testing. He went to Dr. Qamar, who discovered blockages in his leg and heart. Dr. Qamar has been a godsend.”

Geneva suffered a heart attack in 2009 after being admitted to the hospital for severe pain. Although her heart stopped beating, the use of defibrillation saved

“All I can say is thank God Dr. Qamar is so thorough and leaves no stones unturned,” Geneva says. “If more doctors were as thorough as he is, fewer patients who have blockages in their kidneys would have to go on kidney dialysis. I have no doubt that Dr. Qamar is one of the best physicians in the state and even the country. He is that good.”

Thanks to Dr. Qamar’s skill in diagnosing and treating cardiovascular problems, Betty and Geneva are alive today. And, not surprisingly, their friendship remains strong as ever. They enjoy shopping together, eating out together, and talking on the phone.

“I’ve never once been mad at her in all these years,” Betty says. “Sometimes we jokingly tell each other to shut up but we never mean anything by it. We depend on one another for everything.”

Friendships are priceless. So are great physicians like Dr. Qamar.