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American Doctor Jerry Umanos Killed In Afghanistan Has Detroit Ties

DETROIT (WWJ) - One of the three American doctors killed at that hospital in Afghanistan has ties to Metro Detroit. Before heading to Chicago's Lawndale Christian Health Center, Dr. Jerry Umanos completed his medical school training at Wayne State University School of Medicine in 1982, and did his residency at Children's Hospital of Michigan.

Dr. Maryjean Schenk, Wayne State Vice Dean of Education says, she didn't know Umanos personally, but she's not surprised he dedicated his life to caring for vulnerable children.

"I'm sure that through his training at Children's Hospital of Michigan he was well-prepared and wanted to serve, obviously, in his field of pediatrics to those most in need,"  Schenk, told WWJ' Health Reporter Sean Lee.

"Obviously (he was) a wonderful role model and example for our students," Schenk said. "I know that it's a big loss for the people of Kabul, and it is just a very sad thing and a tragic event."

AFGHANISTAN UNREST HOSPITAL ATTACK
An ambulance carrying victims of a shooting leaves through the gate of the Cure hospital in the Afghan capital Kabul on April 24, 2014. A guard shot dead three foreigners at a US charity hospital in Kabul on April 24, the Afghan government said, with hospital staff saying at least one of the victims was a foreign doctor. (credit: SHAH MARAI/AFP/Getty Images)

Umanos was married with three adult children. His son Ben was just sworn in as a Grand Rapids Police Officer in January.

The shooting at Cure International Hospital in western Kabul was the latest in a string of deadly attacks on foreign civilians in the Afghan capital this year. An American nurse also was wounded.

For more on this story, keep it tuned to WWJ Newsradio 950 during CBS News at the top of the hour.

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