Dr. Keith Ash dies

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Friday, June 29. 2012

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The Commerce Police Department is investigating the death of Dr. Keith Ash, who was found dead Wednesday night at his Commerce residence.

Ash, a former surgeon at what was then BJC Medical Center, operated Urgent Care at Banks Crossing.

"The scene was handled as a crime scene because of the unattended nature of the death," explained John Gaissert, Commerce chief of police. "The body was taken to the crime lab in Decatur for an autopsy, and the investigation into the cause of death is ongoing at this time."

The autopsy was completed Thursday, Gaissert said, but the results of the toxicology study could take weeks.

Gaissert stressed that the department "had no indications" that the death was from suicide. Treating the scene as a crime scene, he said, was done to "process and handle it to make sure we document the facts and circumstances" surrounding the death.

Ash came to Commerce in 2004 as general surgeon at BJC Medical Center. He resigned in 2008. The following day, four former patients filed a lawsuit alleging medical malpractice from surgical procedures.

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#1 Anonymous on 06/29/12 at 05:31 PM

RIP Dr Ash. You were a wonderful person and Dr.
Thank you for being so good to us.

#2 Anonymous on 06/29/12 at 08:09 PM

A great man gone way to early!!!

#3 jason on 06/29/12 at 10:06 PM

You will truly be missed by my family and I. Not only a great neighbor and friend, you were a great doctor. My thoughts and prayers are with the Ash family.

#4 4242 on 06/29/12 at 10:45 PM

Keith, you were a dear friend to us all. You were
truely selfless when it came to your family, friends,
and your patients. We all will miss you deeply. We
love you and we will all remember and cherish the
moments we had together. From, Your friends of the
"Denny Crane" days.

To the Ash family, may God hear our prayers and
give you all the comfort and strength you need to
make it through this time.

#5 anonymous on 06/30/12 at 08:21 AM

Dr Ash saved my moms life. Had it not been for him she would already be dead. He placed a feeding tube in her and she is still living today. Thank you sir and rest in peace.

#6 Keshia Douglas & family on 06/30/12 at 09:54 AM

RIP Dr. Ash You will be missed .. Prayers for your family .. We love u!!

#7 Anonymous on 06/30/12 at 05:12 PM

This Jack Leg news article needs to also mention all the lives he's saved and helped also! He was not Jesus he was not perfect! He was a great man and a great doctor! We love you and miss you!

#8 Anonymous on 07/01/12 at 12:23 AM

Dr. Ash you will be missed thank you for everything you did rip

#9 synthia parr on 07/01/12 at 11:04 AM

You were a truly, great man. You will be greatly missed! You have helped not just me, but my entire family! You were not just our doctor but also our friend. You will be greatly missed. My heart goes out to your family. You were a great man who is gone too soon.

#10 Joy Garmon on 07/01/12 at 03:15 PM

Dr.Ash you were a great Dr. and thank you for going the distance when I had my surgery.when great dr. come alone there is lots of jelousy.

#11 Jessie sheffield on 07/01/12 at 09:35 PM

Well I am sorry for his wife and sons loss but let me say this. My father was operated on by him in 2006 August to be exact for a routine gall bladder surgery. My father is not a small man but he said no we can do it laporscopic. He severed my dads bile duct and sliced his liver in 3 places. My father had surgery on Friday and by Tuesday his eyes were so yellow and he couldn't eat mor than 2 bites of Mac n cheese he was sick. Went to dr ash and he sent him to NE ga. The doc said there was nothing he could do. Friday my father was transferred to Emory. Dr heffron did expl surgery and found the problems. They had to recreate my father a bile duct! This man made me see my father in icu with 47 tubes coming out of him. He was reckless with his hands if he wasn't why did he have so many malpractice suits against him. My thought are this now he will not hurt another soul. And no other child will have to see and endure what my family did.

#11.1 Anonymous on 07/03/12 at 01:38 PM

shut up.

#11.1.1 Jeff Sheffield on 07/06/12 at 01:56 PM

That is not a kind response. Jessie can speak her mind like others have. Do doubt Dr. Ash helped a good many people. But check him out on the medical board website. At one time there were about 6 million dollars worth of mal-practice findings against him. Georgia has a tough med-mal law. I could not sue him. The lawyers say for every person who can there are several who were injured and should have been able too. I believe Ash tried to do more than he could. He was operating many many hours a week plus seeing patients. We can legislate the hours someone drives a truck but we can not legislate the hours in this situation. I was put back together by a doctor at Emory who is a world renowned liver specialist. He called Ash's surgery on me a surgical adventure and said that he made multiple mistakes but would not testify against him. I can respect that. Ash never apologized to me for his mistake and that was his call. I forgave him for his trespasses against me. I pray for his family. Honestly, I believe there is much to be learned from this. I just wish that the medical board could have completed their investigation of him and his surgical practices so that other doctors placed in similar situations might have guidance. One other aspect of this is the old BJC and it's management. They should have regulated him more closely - but the bottom line might have been a driving factor. It is all water under the bridge.

#11.2 Anonymous on 07/03/12 at 09:51 PM

It is such a shame that you can't see that your other doctors most likely scapegoated Dr. Ash to make themselves appear Godlike and your personal savior surgeon so you wouldn't sue them. That's how they play you when they practice defensive medicine. I'm sure you have a medical degree but just in case you don't, read up on laparoscopic gallbladder procedure and you will see that you do in fact make an incision into the common bile duct to assess patentcy. If all is well, you clip it and cut it. So, see, you learned something new today. And no knife is used in a laparoscopic procedure beyond cutting a small port in the skin to insert the scope. So, nothing is cut with a knife internally, including the liver. So rather than putting this blasphemy out there why don't you obtain an edcuation? That would be super!!

#11.2.1 Jeff Sheffield on 07/06/12 at 04:34 PM

FYI - you are way off base. Ash cut my Bile Duct completely loose. Emory did not scapegoat Ash. He plain screwed up. Doctors hold peoples lives in their hands and they are measured to a higher standard. Jessie did not like what she saw after 7.5 hours of surgery. Like I said Ash did a great deal of good and no doubt helped many people. But he also hurt many people and a forum like this can help the healing. Just look at the Composite Medical Board Website https://www.gaphysicianprofile.org/profile.ShowProfileAction.action?lic_nbr=049138
Shut up by another Anonymous person is not a proper response. Personal insults should not be attached either.

#11.2.1.1 Dear JEFF FLIP FLOP on 07/07/12 at 06:13 PM

Let me quote you " I could not sue him "(red flag)

"I believe Ash tried to do more than he could. He was operating many many hours a week plus seeing patients." (so it wasn't his fault ?)

" said that he made multiple mistakes but would not testify against him." (red flag)

"They should have regulated him more closely - but the bottom line might have been a driving factor." ( you admit management was more to blame)

You say you" I mean no disrespect to Dr Ash or the family " yet you continue to drag his name in the mud and post links to the medical board. On that matter a settlement means his insurance company settled before court Sheffield! He has no postive malpractice claims on record just settlements !

Your posts are all over and your credability in this matter is gone with the "I mean no disrespect but .... Hear me ! Listen to how I was done wrong ! posting proves your bitter because Mr Sheffield you didn't get a piece of the pie.

Let this man lie in peace and Jeff for your sake and that of your family... move on.

May god bless you and the Ash family.

#11.2.1.1.1 Jeff Sheffield on 07/08/12 at 01:23 PM

At least I am not afraid to sign my name. Bitter I don't this so - but you have already judged me. I know the truth in my situation and many others as I have talked with them. I could say more but will not. The facts speak for themselves.

#11.2.1.1.2 Jessie sheffield on 07/09/12 at 12:36 AM

Dear flip flop...aka scared to say your name. My family has gone thru enough because of this horrible man. My father and I only speak the truth. I wanted to come forward with this long ago and my family said the time will come well now it has. This man scarred my father for life. He had 278 staples in his stomach after he was repaired at Emory. You have no idea what my family has gone thru. What we lost due to his negligence. We never wanted money just a simple call or a simple I don't know what's happened but we got nothing. My father is alive today thank God for that. But nothing we have spoken hasn't been the truth and we have the medical record to back it up. So if this is such a concern to you and you want to see them please let us know. I never intended for this to be a bash session and I am truly sorry for his family's loss but the people he's hurt also have a voice and we just want to be heard too! No one from his office ever called our home to see how he was doing after his surgery or evn after we were referred to his friend at NE Ga. Now tell me how that is a good doctor with good bedside manner? It's not!!!

#11.3 Anonymous on 07/03/12 at 11:13 PM

well i thought he was a great DOCTOR AND MAN

#11.4 Joyce Turpin on 07/04/12 at 12:28 PM

I would just like to say that the Lord has chosen when we are to go no dr are no hospital can do that; I would like to say that my brother was very sick he went above and beyond to help my brother and other family members. I would just like to say that negative people put him where he is at today. But to his family i would really like to thank you for giving my family the time with him; we will miss him alot and our thoughts and prayers are with you all and may God Bless you all,....

#11.5 Loving patient of Dr. Ash on 07/06/12 at 02:17 PM

We all love Dr. Ash and I'm sure many of these people that appreciate him would agree with me when I say to show some respect for this great mans death. I find it rather rude to show disrespect to the Dr. Ash's devastating death. At least I know that God does everything for a reason and I hope one day you will understand that as well. I am sorry for what happened to your father but you can't blame it on someone else, especially on someone who has just passed away. If you have nothing nice to say, then don't say it. Dr. Ash's family is mourning his death and I don't think they would want to read disrespectful comments like these. I am not trying to be mean to you or upset you in any way. I just wanted to stand up for this great man. I really am sorry for what happened to your father, I'm sure he is a great man as well. May God bless you. R.I.P. Dr. Ash, we will miss you.

#12 Larry & Fern on 07/02/12 at 12:13 PM

Dr. Ash was a great Dr. Had nothing but good to say about him. Don't know where to find another Dr. as "knowledgeable as he was,
To his family Our thoughts and prayers are with you!
Lost a Great Person and Dr. in this commuity.

#13 Mickey and Wanda Patrick and Sons on 07/02/12 at 01:16 PM

Thanks for the memories, Thank you for being such a good boss to me and such a good friend to my family. You were the most unique person I ever had the pleasure to meet. Always giving and helping anyone that came through the office door. You will be missed. We Love You...

#14 Megan on 07/02/12 at 07:54 PM

Dr Ash, you were such a wonderful person and a caring doctor. Thank you for the great care you gave our entire family. We will miss you.

#15 Danielle on 07/02/12 at 08:18 PM

Dr. Ash was a great doctor. I wish this would have never happened. I
Always refused to see another doctor because he always sat down and
Explained to me what my body was doing and why it was doing it.
It's so sad. My prayers are with his family and friends.

#16 sandra whistler on 07/03/12 at 10:18 AM

Dr.Ash was a very good Doctor.He was the only one I wanted to see.I trusted him with my life,my daughter and my grandchildren
My prayers goes out to his wife and sons.he will be truly missed.I know I have to find another Doctor.I will have a very hard time finding another Dr.Ash.He was one of a kind.He was truly loved by my family.
This is a very sad moment for us all.
We love you Dr.Ash and thank you for taking care of all of us.
with love
Sandra Whistler

#17 Anonymous on 07/03/12 at 10:10 PM

I took my daughter to Dr. Ash May a year ago when she had a temperature of 105. She was not any better a week later so I took her back to see him. After numerous tests he could not figure out what was wrong with her but gave her several shots. She had severe negative reaction to the shots thaet she is still overcoming more than a year later. My daughter was 19 at the time, but I called her pediatrician in Duluth after our second visit when she continued to get worse rather than improve. She was diagnosed with meningitis, and fortunately with expert care from the doctors in the emergency room she is still with me. Had I listened Dr. Ash's advice, she would not longer be with us. I offer sympathy to anyone who loses a loved one, but based on our experience Dr. Ash should not have been practicing medicine.

#17.1 kathy on 07/05/12 at 04:46 PM

hey you just had a bad experience with dr ash but hey we arent perfect only God is. so Dont judge someone because they makes mistakes we all did. I had a bad experience with a doctor several years ago and like to died but Dr. Ash help my husband and I and I will be always thankful for the good care he gave us. so I think you shouldnt judge a doctor that is for God to do.

#18 Dale Rountree on 07/03/12 at 10:25 PM

Mark, if you are going to dishonor Dr Ash with your misinformation at least have the courage to sign your name to your work and not put "Administrator" on your article. In my opinion, sir you have always been a COWARD.

#18.1 Mark Beardsley on 07/05/12 at 02:19 PM

All of the facts in the article come from public officials or public documents. I do not put a byline on articles with no original content. Cowardly, for sure.

#18.2 DALE AND DONNETTE BOWLES on 07/05/12 at 06:42 PM

The Commerce News is like the song Harper Valley PTA!
Dr.Ash was human. He was a very kind friend and doctor. I thank god I knew Dr.Ash. To the ones that lost love ones you have to forgive. He has a son a wife a mother and father and many friends
Have you ever made a error? People that live in glass houses need not cast stones. Dr.Ash brought the hospital out of the red! I had gall bladder surgery and I'm still living. Perhaps God
needed your love one he only takes the best.

#19 Beverly Lance on 07/04/12 at 08:43 AM

I, for one, loved Dr. Ash. He always treated me and mine with such care and concern. He was never too busy to sit and explain to you what was going on. Alot of docs just look at you and write out a script. This was not Dr. Ash. I trusted him without any doubts whatsoever. He helped me so much with more than just medical issues....he was just as much a friend as he was a doctor. I could talk to him about things going on and he could somehow help me understand and if not undertand, at least find a way of coping. He was never too busy to say hi even out in public. He was a wonderful man. Prayers and candles lit for his loved ones. He will be missed.

#20 Anonymous on 07/04/12 at 02:29 PM

Dr. Ash, you will always hold a special place in our hearts. This fourth of July won't be the same without you here to put on the phenomenal fireworks display as you did before. I'll always cherish the memories of your kindness and hospitality your family showed to me as well as others. Thanks for being a great teacher,as well as friend. My thoughts are prayers are with your family during this difficult time. You will truly be missed by us all....We Love You

#21 kathy cox on 07/05/12 at 03:52 PM

I thought he was a good doctor. he took care of my husband and me and he will surely be missed and hate to hear of his passing. kathy

#22 disgusting on 07/05/12 at 04:21 PM

To allow the 2 posts bashing Dr.Ash is wrong Mr.Beardsly. I think the article is fine but there is a line and letting people bash him namely x patients is out of bounds.

Come on now regardless of what you feel show some respect and restraint.

My sympathy and condolances to the family.

#22.1 kathy on 07/06/12 at 06:57 PM

I agree people sholdnt talk about the dead like that Dr. Ash was one good doctor of course he made mistake but dont we all so my prayers go out to the family. kathy

#23 Curtis Bailey on 07/05/12 at 10:09 PM

I was a total mess before going to Dr Ash. There has been no best doctor in Commerce for a long time. All I've heard is "pill pusher"...well not Not Dr. Ash. He never gave me anything that was bad or addicting, but He get my diabetese in control, all so my blood press , cholestrol and we were working on the mold in my blood stream and multiple tears in my spine. I am devasated that I have to get a different doctor when Dr Ash was on the right track. Sympathy for his family and may he rest in peace. The last time we saw him, My wife made a comment that Doctor Ash did look well. Maybe he can guide some up and coming Doctor to cure some of these horrible "uncurable" disease. Peace to the family and God's Peace Dr. Douglas Keith Ash.

#24 Jeff Sheffield on 07/06/12 at 10:05 PM

PS I mean no disrespect to Dr Ash or the family. Any death is a loss and we need to respect that. But, those injured also deserve respect as well.

#25 A SAVED PATIENT BY DR ASH on 07/07/12 at 12:26 AM

I WAS A PATIENT OF DR ASH AND HAD A REALLY BAD CASE OF M.R.S.A. ON MY LEG ABOUT THE SIZE OF A B CUP BRA AND I HAD NO MONEY TO PAY AND DR ASH CAME OUT IN THE LOBBY AND TOOK ME BY THE ARM AND SAID COME WITH ME AND HE PROCEEDED TO OPERATE ON MY LEG AND IT WAS A 6 MONTH PROCESS TO GET IT COMPLETELY HEALED. MY MOTHER WAS VERY WORRIED I WAS GOING TO LOOSE MY LEG AND MADE ME GO TO HIS OFFICE EVER OTHER DAY TO HAVE IT CHECKED FOR INFECTION AND HIM AND DALE WOULD CHECK IT AND REPACK IT FOR ME. HE CARED ENOUGH ABOUT ME TO KEEP SEEING ME 2 YEARS LATER WITH A BALANCE FROM THE M.R.S.A. I HAVE TOTAL RESPECT FOR DR.ASH AND DALE I THINK OF THEM AS FRIENDS WHO REALLY CARE ABOUT PEOPLE AND THEIR MEDICAL NEED'S MORE THEN JUST THE MONEY. SO FOR ALL YOU HATERS I STILL OWE HIM MONEY AND HE WAS STILL TAKEN CARE OF ME EVER MONTH. I AM TRUELY SORRY FOR HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS AND I KNOW HE WILL TRUELY BE MISSED BY ALOT OF PEOPLE. I WISH THE BEST FOR HIS SON ,WIFE, AND ALL HIS MEDICAL STAFF. THANKS FOR EVERYTHING YOU ALL DID FOR ME

#26 Darlene Bennett on 07/07/12 at 11:36 AM

Dr.Ash
It's very hard to find a good Doctor these day's. I felt like, I had not only found a good Dr but a friend that understood me, I could talk to Dr Ash one on one & he was very caring.
My husband liked him & said to me! Honey you got lucky, you found a good Doctor. I could hardly breath & he put me on some meds & breathing treatments & gave me a shot, I don't think I would have lived another day if not for that. I could tell that Dr Ash was over worked, but he was always cheerful & never complained. To his wife & Son & his other family members, May the Grace Of God watch over you all always. To his staff that looked like they always felt at home while working for Dr Ash, you all made me feel at home, & you all were so caring. T.y all for your kindness & may God Bless you all. So sorry for your loss. He will be missed.

#27 joehamby1956 on 07/08/12 at 02:42 PM

Well I don't care what people say about Dr. Ash he was a great man, he performed 22 seperate surgeries on my wife and he did a perfect job each time.. He contributed to the community, he brought millions of dollars to BJC while he practiced in Commerce, he was a loving and caring man that worried more about his patients than himself, ALL DOCTORS HAVE MALPRACTICE SUITS AT SOME TIME, some people just want to berate doctors, some people see malpractice as a way to make money, Dr. Ash will be missed in Commerce.

#28 Tabitha Kitchens on 07/09/12 at 06:51 AM

Jessie and Jeff Sheffield should be ashamed of themselves… but the Sheffields have never been known for tact – or remorse. Regardless of how you feel about this man and his profession, an article about his passing is NOT the place to voice any opinions other than condolences to his family during their loss.

“You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.” Matthew 7:5

Before you bring more prayer and forgiveness into the matter: learn respect for those still living and realize that being judgmental and abusive with your words is the same as a knife to the heart of his family.

My condolences and prayers to the family of Dr. Ash.

#28.1 Jeff Sheffield on 07/09/12 at 07:34 AM

Thank You - I appreciate your opinion. I guess we disagree. But then, you were not almost killed by this man so I guess you would not understand and did not come close to losing all that you had worked for because of medical bills. There are many truths out there. Reality can be tough.

#28.2 Jessie sheffield on 07/09/12 at 01:10 PM

Ms kitchens, do I know u? Clearly I don't. You are passing judgement on me and my family without knowing anything. This is Jeff's daughter and if you have something to say please feel free to give me a call. You are clearly in the wrong here.

#29 Anonymous on 07/09/12 at 01:48 PM

Tabitha, the sheffield's have every right to say what they want. You are being a hypocrite yourself stating they should be ashamed of themselves. Who are you to judge? They have grieved themselves over the hours of surgery Mr. Sheffield was in and the mistakes Dr. Ash made. And after reading this post this wasn't the only mistake he has made. Yes, no one is perfect and we all make mistakes, even doctors, but doctors hold our lifes in their hands and they are held to a higher standard. This doctor may have helped a lot of people, but he has also taken away from people. Everyone needs to be respectful of each other own situation.

My heart goes out to his family and it also goes out to ALL the families this man has caused heart ache to.

#30 Sandy Cooke on 07/09/12 at 05:06 PM

Just wanted to say Great Doctor Great Friend My whole Family will miss him and always cherish the times he had pulled one of us through. Thanks also to his wife and staff for being there. He would always take time to explain what was going on with you.

#31 courtney coleman on 07/09/12 at 09:22 PM

Well i wouldnt b here today if it wasnt for dr keith ash. He saved my life and his staff was the best never had a bad experience in his office and he was mine and my childrens dr many many many times he went above and beyond for me and my babys.how about did anyone of you know he was recognized like 20the timez all over the world not just the united states he served our country and us as patients to come on here and say these ugly things about him is just the devil working and i say jesus saves all souls just call on him thats all i can say cause the trash on here is to much may he rest in peace i loved and will miss u dearly

#32 Patient;Close Friend on 07/09/12 at 09:52 PM

Wow!!! I cannot believe the comments that I just read. There are a few people who only want to remember the negative things. So let me remind you of the great things that this man did for so many.

*Children who needed physicals for sports and their parents could not afford it, he did the physicals for free
*Dr. Ash put an a/c unit in an elderly couples home during the summer because it was too hot for the patient and he knew she could not afford it. He made sure people had heaters in their house during the winter.
*He made sure people had food, medicine, and other things that they needed in everyday life when they could not afford it
*I watched him give money to several people who needed help feeding their children, paying the power bill, or buying food to feed their family.
*He came to a small town trying to make a difference but it seems like small towns have one or two too many who think they should try to sue to have a wealthy life instead of working for their own.
*He worked more hours in a week than most people work in a month once again trying to help and make a difference in this small town.

So before you condemn people take a look at your own life. He made more of a difference in the short time that he was here than most of us do our entire life. I think in most peoples eyes that he would be considered a "great man" who loved everyone and judged no one unlike the people who are judging him. The one thing that makes me smile to this day is if the people who are bashing him needed help he would not turn his back on them... He would do all he could to help anyone in any situation and say he wanted to help!
Let the family try to heal and pick up the pieces to try to have a life. Let them have good memories and not the struggles he had to face. Lastly, while you are talking about the malpractice cases did you research how many he was dismissed from. Maybe he wasn't even in the room when something happened. Or are you only trying to condemn a person by half of a story that you heard...We all know there's a lot more to every story in life.

#33 ANON on 07/11/12 at 07:32 AM

I can't believe that more people aren't upset with these statements being made about Dr. Ash! They are wrong and if he messed up your surgery then you'd have a malpractice suit filed! It's not being a hyporcrite to ask someone to respect a family in mourning!

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