Michael Van Aman

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

Mike was my dorm counselor at Bucknell in 1966, we were freshmen, he was straw boss of basement Trax. Wanted to be a doc. Great guy

Dr. Michael Van Aman was my professor when I was an internal medicine resident at OSU. He taught me everything I know about vascular intervention, and even more about what is means to be a compassionate healer. His lesson came the day that he saved the life of one of my hematology/oncology patients by putting in an emergency filter. Dr. Van Aman never gave up on this frail yet feisty patient, and never stopped teaching me the entire 4 hours we spent together, Christmas week, 1977. Through his quiet questioning during his intervention, I re-learned the entire clotting cascade, and all the interventions to stop clotting. He allowed me to direct the lab studies and nodded approvingly with each order, although I knew he would not let me make a mistake. After all, I was only 6 months into my training, and this lady was gravely ill. TRULY, I never forgot that afternoon in radiology; and I will never forget Dr. Van Aman. At the end of the procedure, when the patient was stabilized and able to be transported back to her bed, I recall his shaking my hand and asking,
"Dr. Gordon,what does it feel like to actually be a "Physician"?
Well stated, my professor - May you continue your teaching and your healing in your next life.

Respectfully,

Chrisanne Gordon, MD
The Ohio State University
College of Medicine
Class of '77

I was in high school with Michael and I remember him as a very caring and lovely young man; always interested in every thing and every body so I am glad that he had such a good life although he died too young..... Rest in peace Michael and condolences to your family.

Rob Florer
United Kingdom

I was the Sr. Interventional Radiographer at Mt. Carmel East Hosp. and had the pleasure of working with Dr. Van Aman. I loved his sense of humor, joking with him and appreciated all of his knowledge. I am sorry for your loss.

In 1997 I had a blood clot in the gortex graph in my right leg. While I was in Mt. Carmel Hospital West, one of Dr. Van Aman's colleges was trying to eliminate the blood clot but had no success. As I was laying in bed, my ankle was getting numb and Dr. Thomas Hartranph decided to amputate late in the evening. The team was waiting for my wife to appear. During the wait time, Dr. Van Aman came into my room and said "This man doesn't need an amputation." He saw that I was transported to his working area and he and his assistant worked on my blood clot.
There was blood flying all over the 3 of us but he finally was successful in clearing the graph and thereby canceling the amputation. I did receive 2 units of blood before being discharges. I am now 90-years old and doing well for my age. Best of all I haven't had any blood clots for the last 20 years and my wife and I are grateful for Dr. Van Aman's determination.

We are sorry for the family's loss of a great person and pray for his soul.

Robert J. Sotak
[email protected]
614-451-8035

I was so sorry to hear of Mike's passing. He was a great person and good friend. Our prayers are with the family in this most difficult time.