Physician, Pharmacist, Farmer, Deputy Named 2012 Country Doctor of the Year

IRVING, Texas, Dec. 18, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- He is an internist/pediatrician, a pharmacist, a farmer, and a deputy, and now Dr. Neil Nelson of Gibson City, Illinois is the 2012 Country Doctor of the Year.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20121218/LA31276)

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100111/LA35461LOGO)

Presented by Staff Care, an AMN Healthcare company, the Country Doctor of the Year Award recognizes the spirit, skill, and dedication of America's rural medical practitioners.  As the leading temporary physician staffing firm in the United States, Staff Care has presented the national award since 1992 to exemplary physicians practicing in communities of 30,000 or less.

"Dr. Nelson is a true home town hero," notes Sean Ebner, president of Staff Care. "He is both an integral part of health care in the community he grew up in as well as one of its most caring private citizens."

Trained in internal medicine/pediatrics, Dr. Nelson sees patients of all ages in his practice, regardless of ability to pay.  As a testimony to his dedication, Dr. Nelson began his career in healthcare as a pharmacist so he would be familiar with the drugs that rural patients need.  Raised on his family's 320 acre farm in Gibson City, Dr. Nelson knew he wanted to be a physician from the time he worked at the switchboard of Gibson Area Hospital where he was born and where he now admits patients.

"Dr. Nelson's skill and compassion are well known throughout our community," says Rob Schmitt, chief executive officer of Gibson Area Hospital.  "We are fortunate to have him as part of our outstanding medical staff."

Known for his precise diagnostic skills, Dr. Nelson's practice includes 5,000 active patients in a town of only 3,500.  He has drawn patients from 50 different zip codes and from as far away as 1,000 miles.  Dr. Nelson is on call for his patients 24 hours a day, seven days a week and has not taken a vacation in over 12 years.  He continues to make house calls and in his "spare time" serves as an auxiliary deputy, and as a local liaison physician for the Shriner's hospital in Chicago.  Until recently, Dr. Nelson was still very active as a farmer.

As the 2012 Country Doctor of the Year, Dr. Nelson will be able to enjoy two weeks of time off, as Staff Care will provide a temporary physician to fill in for him at no charge, a service valued at approximately $10,000.  He also will receive the award's signature plaque featuring a country doctor making his rounds on a horse and buggy, an engraved stethoscope, and a monogrammed lab coat.  Additional information about the Country Doctor of the Year Award can be found at www.countrydoctoraward.com.

About AMN Healthcare
AMN Healthcare Services, Inc. is healthcare's workforce innovator, providing a broad spectrum of workforce solutions and staffing services to the nation's healthcare facilities. AMN's workforce solutions - including managed services programs, recruitment process outsourcing and consulting services - enable providers to successfully reduce complexity, increase efficiency and improve patient outcomes within the rapidly evolving healthcare environment. AMN provides unparalleled access to the largest network of clinicians and physicians through its innovative recruitment strategies and breadth of career opportunities offered. Clients include acute-care hospitals, government facilities, community health centers and clinics, physician practice groups and many other healthcare settings. For more information, visit www.amnhealthcare.com.

SOURCE AMN Healthcare Services, Inc.