On Thursday, September 19th, Drs. Roger Rudloff and Troy Dawson of Antelope Memorial Hospital, were both honored to receive the 2013 Nebraska Outstanding Rural Health Practitioner Award. The award was presented during the Nebraska Rural Health Conference held at the Younes Conference Center in Kearney.
The Outstanding Rural Health Practitioner Award recognizes an individual that is a direct service provider. This provider must exhibit outstanding leadership in bringing and/or improving health services in rural Nebraska. Factors considered include providing outstanding care, collaboration and multi-disciplinary teamwork, involvement in the community or education and lasting contribution to the rural health care system.
“It’s a great honor to receive this recognition in rural health medicine by our peers,” said Dr. Rudloff. “Rural medicine is certainly challenging at times, however, it’s also very rewarding. I couldn’t see myself practicing medicine in any other environment. Hopefully in the future, we will be able to get future physicians to see the rewards of rural medicine.”
“I truly feel honored to win this special award,” said Dr. Dawson. “Through the years, I have enjoyed serving the residents of area communities while practicing medicine in a rural setting. Despite the challenges, the relationships I’ve had with my patients and their families have been most rewarding. I’ve also enjoyed working with the staff here at Antelope Memorial Hospital and its clinics.”
Drs. Dawson and Rudloff both grew up in rural Nebraska communities with populations less than 1,000 residents. They graduated together from UNMC in 1994 and began their residency training at the UNMC Family Practice Residency Program. In 1997, they began practicing in Neligh at Antelope Memorial Hospital and the AMH Family Practice Clinics. They have practiced together for 16 years and are excellent examples of what rural health care providers should be. They likely would not have taken on nor stayed in Neligh if they both couldn’t practice together and give each other support through the years. For that reason, they were co-nominated.
Residing in rural Neligh, Dr. Dawson and his wife, Heather, have three sons and one daughter and are members of the United Methodist Church in Neligh.
Residing in Neligh, Dr. Rudloff and his wife, Tracy, have two sons and three daughters. They are members of the St. Francis Catholic Church in Neligh.
