Orthopedic surgeon, Ralph Ilian Touma, M.D., who treated orthopedic surgical patients in and around Ashland, Kentucky, for more than 40 years, passed away at home on September 1, 2022 in Prospect, Kentucky.
Dr. Touma was born in Damascus, Syria, to Ilian and Emilie Touma on December 16, 1942. He attended high school at the Lycée Francais and, later, medical school, at the University of Damascus in Damascus before moving to the United States in 1969 for his residencies.
He did his surgical residency at Pontiac General Hospital in Michigan and his orthopedic residency at the University of Illinois, Chicago. Afterwards, he started his own orthopedic surgery practice in Ashland, Kentucky, from which he served patients for more than 40 years. He was affiliated with Kings Daughters Medical Center also in Ashland.
“His love and respect for the art of medicine was understood by all who knew him…A man of great curiosity and intellect, he loved learning about history, listening to opera and classical music, and traveling the world,” his family wrote.
He also was known as a very charitable man both with money and his time. He especially enjoyed volunteering at Shriner’s Children’s Hospital in Lexington.
Dr. Touma retired to Naples, Florida, after closing his practice and then in 2021 he decided to move to Louisville, Kentucky, to be closer to family.
His family said he was always a devoted family man and loved his large family. He is survived by his wife of 29 years, Rita Touma; his children, Yano Touma, Leyla Touma Dailey, Dr. Carol Touma, Nicole Le Gall, Emilie Touma, Isabella Touma; and his stepchildren Joshua Kistner and Amber Criswell. He also leaves behind his 15 grandchildren and one on the way, his sisters Asma Callas, Mouna Nachman and Samia Dada of Damascus, Syria and many nieces and nephews.
