Obituary of Mary Bess Kohrs - Zouvas PHD, M.D.

Mary Bess Kohrs-Zouvas 81, of Indianapolis, passed away peacefully on March 26, 2023. She was born May 3, 1941 in Gillette, Wyoming (WY) to Ben C. and Allene Kohrs. She was a dynamic, intelligent and creative woman. Mary Bess was a compassionate and caring physician, an angel for many patients blessed to be in her care. She was known as a bright light, always smiling, positive and interested in those around her. She had an indomitable spirit. Her love of Jesus was the cornerstone for her life and everything she did. Mary Bess Kohrs Zouvas, a native of Wyoming, graduated valedictorian from Douglas (WY) High School in 1959 and from the University of WY (U of WY) in 1963 with honors. Upon completion of a dietetic internship with the Veteran’s Administration in Houston, TX, she returned to Wyoming as nutritionist for the WY School Lunch Program. Subsequently, she completed a Master’s degree in Food Science and Nutrition at Colorado State U in 1967 and PhD in Nutritional Sciences at U Wisconsin, Madison in 1973. Dr. Kohrs-Zouvas was a researcher and educator at Lincoln U in Jefferson City, Missouri and U of Illinois in Chicago. The pioneering research of Dr. Kohrs Zouvas and her colleagues at Lincoln University documented the special nutritional needs of the elderly and nutritional benefits of a congregate meal program (eg., Meals on Wheels). It was these data and her testimony in Congress that supported funding of the elderly congregate meal programs. Dr. Kohrs-Zouvas completed an MD degree at the U of Illinois at Chicago in 1987 and three years in an Internal Medicine and Primary Care Residency. She is a Board-Certified Nutrition Physician Specialist and Diplomat in the American Academy of Pain Management. As a physician, she worked in rural medical emergency rooms. Subsequently, she was the Medical Director for Chiropractic Clinics. In this capacity, she was a leader in integrating medicine, pain management and nutrition expertise into compassionate care of patients. During the last nine years of her life (until 80 years of age), she was a leader in providing medical care through Telehealth. She was designated one of the top physicians in the US (2007, 2008) by the Consumer Research Council of America. In 2021, she was recognized as an ‘Outstanding Telehealth MD’ by Doximitry, a professional medical network for physicians and the largest community of healthcare professionals in the country. She was a writer at heart, authoring 55 research papers even before medical school, along with six chapters in books and 82 abstracts. Recently, she captured inspiring stories of many medical miracles in her own life for the book God, Medicine and Miracles, which she was completing at the time of her passing. Mary Bess was an active participant in Bible Study Fellowship International since 1997 and Aglo International, an intercessory prayer group for the world. She attended Traders Point Christian Church, Whitestown, IN. Through a political internship in WY during college years, she developed a keen interest in politics. Mary Bess was a member of the Daughters of American Colonists (DAC) and the Daughters of American Revolution (DAR). She joined the Chi Omega sorority at the U of WY. Mary Bess was preceded in death by her husband, Christos Zouvas and her niece, Renee Allene Rickard. Survivors include a sister, Karyl Allene Rickard (Eugene) of Indianapolis; nephew, Mark Rickard (Rorie) and their children Rachel Renee and Peter Mark of Midland, Michigan; brother Ben L Kohrs (Debbie) of Gage, OK; niece, Jenica Kohrs Long (Lonnie) and their children: Isaac, Lauren and Greta of Shattuck, OK. The funeral services will be April 3, 1 pm at Serenity Funeral Home, 6202 Michigan Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46268. Visitation will be from 11 am to 1 pm prior to the service. Burial will be in Washington Park North Cemetery immediately after the service.