IRINA A. PUSCARIU

Irina A. Puscariu, M.D., 46, of Gladstone, died at her home on January 13, 2012. Dr. Puscariu practiced psychiatry at the Kansas City VA Medical Center and North Kansas City Hospital. Her medical career began in Brasov, a city of 280,000 residents located in Central Romania, where she practiced general medicine before immigrating to the Kansas City area in 1997. She received her doctor of medicine degree from the University of Targu Mures, Romania. After completing her equivalency study and residency at the University of Kansas, she became board certified in psychiatry by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. Dr. Puscariu was born on October 15, 1965 in Brasov to Mirea Puscariu, who predeceased her in 2002, and to Aneta Puscariu, 86, who survives of the home. Before coming to the United States to be with her daughter after her husband's death, Dr. Puscariu's mother Aneta was a pharmacist in Romania for 30 years before her retirement. Also surviving are her Aunt and Uncle, Florin and Georgeta (Puscariu) Toma and a niece, Carmen Panfil, of Iasl, Romania. Irina was a gifted student, earning many academic awards and scholarships to further her education. She spoke seven languages fluently. She often served as a translator for the medical staff at the hospitals where she served. Her family in Romania included internationally known writers, a bishop in the Orthodox Church, a physician, judge, and a ship's captain in the Romanian Navy. Dr. Puscariu was a respected member of the medical staff at both the Kansas City VA Medical Center and North Kansas City Hospital. Dr. Puscariu was honored in the final years of her life to serve the veterans of her adopted country. She will be greatly missed by her colleagues and the many patients whose lives she touched during her practice. The Puscariu family would like to express its appreciation to the Gladstone Police Department, the many Romanian nationals in this area, including several international students of Park University who have served as translators, staying around the clock with Dr. Puscariu's mother since the events of January 13, and to the doctors, nurses, and other staff who have provided assistance. Funeral services for Dr. Puscariu were held Thursday, January 26, 2012, at St. Basil Orthodox Church, 9302 Riverview Ave., Kansas City, Kansas. Father Elias Issa officiated. Internment at Chapel HIll Memorial Gardens.