Dr. Pamela S. (Hemsath) Ornellas, “Dr. O,” passed away on May 6, 2016 at her home surrounded by her family. Pam was the first born child to Robert W. and Susan K. Hemsath in Carson City, Nevada on July 15, 1961. Pam was a fourth generation Douglas County resident and began attending Douglas County schools at the Minden Elementary School. Pam graduated from Douglas High School in 1979 as the valedictorian while also being voted Homecoming Queen by her classmates. Pam went on to attend the University of Nevada–Reno and attained her undergraduate degree in 1984. She immediately entered the University of Nevada Medical School where she graduated with honors in 1988. Upon completing her residency at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center in San Bernardino in 1991 she returned to Reno and began her family practice career. Pam proudly served this community and upon her early retirement wished all her patients to live each day with passion, as if it your last. We never know what will happen next. Love and laughter is the best medicine she know. She wished us all to laugh every day and love with abandon. Both professionally and personally, Pam was an exceptional role model. Dr. Ornellas was recognized by her peers as an outstanding physician and was noted in the Bridges to Excellence Recognition-Level III (2013 – 2016), the NCQA Physician Practice Connection-Patient Centered Medical Home (2013 – 2016) and Renown’s Woman of Achievement twice. On August 3, 1980 Pam married the love of her life, high school sweetheart, and best friend, David Ornellas, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Gardnerville, Nevada. They were blessed to be married for over 35 years. Pam and David had two children, Nic and Camille. She was a wonderful mother who shared special bonds with each of her children. She was especially proud of the father and husband Nic has become while spending many years enjoying Camille develop as a dancer. When she did find a few spare moments (often at midnight) she created volumes of scrapbooks filled with the special memories of her family. Pam is preceded by her grandparents, Eleanor Hemsath, Dorothy Thran, and Earnhart Thran. She is survived by her husband, David Ornellas, son, Nic (Sara) Ornellas and grandson, Oliver Ornellas of Reno, daughter, Camille Ornellas of Reno, parents, Robert and Susan Hemsath of Gardnerville, sister, Nonie (Cary) Olson of Gardnerville, brother, Robert (Monica) Hemsath of Texas, brother, Scott (Jennifer) Hemsath of Gardnerville and her large extended family of aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews all of whom she loved greatly. Pam’s passing was a bittersweet moment since both her family and community lost a beloved family member, role model, friend, and professional while ending her long battle with diabetes and various forms of cancer. A celebration of life is scheduled at 10:00 a.m. at Calvary Chapel 220 Edison Way Reno, Nevada Saturday May 14, 2016. In lieu of flowers the Ornellas family requests donations be sent to Renown Health Foundation Institute for Cancer in her memory at 1155 Mill Street Reno, Nevada 89502 or online at renown.org.
