KATHLEEN ANN CAIZZI M.D.

March 30, 2020

Kathleen Ann Caizzi M.D. was born June 29, 1948 in Bristol, R.I., to Frank and Margaret Caizzi. Both parents are deceased.

She is survived by her brother Frank Charles Caizzi, her nieces Carolyn and Deborah (Caizzi)Messenger, Mary Wood her “ niece”/godchild, grand nieces Lucy Messenger and Willow Wood, grand nephews Alex and Michael Caizzi and Harry Messenger, and her life partner of 54 years John Pellegrini M.D.

She grew up in Bristol R.I. where she was a member of the Mount Carmel Catholic Church. She received a B.S. at Northeastern University in Boston in 1970, an M.D. from Tufts University School of Medicine in 1974, her postgraduate specialty training in Internal Medicine at Rhode Island Hospital/Brown University, and Fellowship training at Montifiore Hospital/NYC in Intensive Care Medicine.

Kathi came to Kentucky in 1978, where after working briefly in Jenkins, she came to Whitesburg,Ky., as the Medical Director of MCHC, a primary care clinic. She joined Dr. Pellegrini in private pracice in 1982, with a medical staff appointment at Whitesburg Appalachian Hospital, where over 40 years she served as Chief of Medicine and Chief of Staff for nearly half of those years. She served on Appalachian Regional Healthcare’s Board of Directors and was Credentialing Consultant to ARH CEO’S for more than 20 years before resigning 12/31/19, because of failing health. During the period 1983-2009, she also treated patients in clinic at Norton Community Hospital, Norton, Va. 

Kathi was a founding member and sponser of Letcher  County Cares, a not for profit company caring for victims of domestic violence. She was one of six physicians who assisted WARH in building a medical office building at a time of financial stress for the ARH hospital group. She served on the Lettcher County Board of Education for several years. Kathi treated thousands of patients in Southeastern Kentucky and Southwestern Virginia over her 40 years in this region with legendary skill and kindness. Her patients truly loved her. Kathi enjoyed traveling and visited every continent except Antarctica. She also liked gardening, swimming, cooking,  and entertaining her friends. Her dinners were memorable with family, friends and medical pals. I submit this brief history of this remarkable woman who touched the lives of many.  John Pellegrini M.D., FACS, retired surgeon at Whitesburg ARH and Norton Community Hospital.

Please send no gifts or flowers. If you wish to make a gift in her name, she favored St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital in Memphis, Tn., and the Mount Carmel Catholic Church in Bristol, R.I.