Ken Najarian (1955-2015)

Kenneth Earl Najarian, MD, FSIR, 60, of Charlotte, Vt., and of “Shore Acres” North Kingstown, R.I., an interventional radiologist and a professor of radiology at the University of Vermont College of Medicine, was tragically killed by a drunk driver in Ferrisburgh, Vt., on Wednesday afternoon, June 17, while riding his bicycle. Dr. Najarian was the beloved husband of Kristine Mary (Thew) Najarian and the devoted father of Jared and Shannon. Ken, as he was known, was the son of the late John K. Najarian, associate justice of the Rhode Island Family Court, and the late Mary (Avedisian) Najarian.

Born in Providence, R.I., he was a graduate of the Providence Country Day School, a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of St. Lawrence University and the University of Vermont Medical School. He completed his medical internship at St Luke’s Hospital in Denver, Colo., and his residency in Diagnostic Radiology at the Medical Center Hospital of Vermont. Ken then completed fellowships in ultrasound and computed tomography at the Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia, Pa., and in interventional radiology at Brown University and Rhode Island Hospital.

He returned to Vermont in 1985 to work at the University of Vermont College of Medicine and its Medical Center as an assistant professor and attending radiologist. He became an associate professor in 1992 and a full professor in 2001. He served as division director of cardiovascular and interventional radiology from 1998 to 2008. Ken directed the Vascular Interventional Radiology Fellowship Program from 1995 to 1999 and served on numerous College of Medicine committees, including the Admissions Committee. He was the first physician in Vermont to introduce modern and innovative interventional radiology techniques. He was nationally regarded as an expert in vascular interventional radiology and served on national committees, was a journal writer, and was a consultant to the industry on medical devices.

In addition to his loving wife and children, Ken is survived by his loving siblings and their spouses, Linda M. Najarian Koenig (Werner) of Warwick, R.I.; Carol E. Najarian Pjojian (Kenneth) of Cranston, R.I.; and John K. Najarian, Jr. (Linda) of North Kingstown, R.I. He was the adored uncle of Stefan, Neil, John III, and Mary Elizabeth.

Ken had a true love for life and was passionate about anything he undertook, whether it was bicycling, kiteboarding, snowboarding, drumming, or other athletic and artistic pursuits.

A life sadly ended too soon, Ken will be remembered for his devotion to Krissi, Jared, and Shannon, and for his keen intellect, adventurous spirit, family, and respected commitment to his profession.

The funeral service was held on Thurs., June 25 in Sts. Sahag & Mesrob Armenian Apostolic Church in Providence, followed by interment at Swan Point Cemetery, Providence. In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Kenneth E. Najarian, M.D. may be made to The Sts. Sahag & Mesrob Endowment Fund, 70 Jefferson St., Providence, RI 02908. For online condolences, visit nardolillo.com.