DISTINGUISHED MEDICAL CARE: Dr. Betsy Neeley was named Distinguished Physician of the Year for 2016 during the Annual General Staff Meeting held November 30 at Grande Ronde Hospital.
LA GRANDE - Betsy Neeley, MD, has been named 2016 Distinguished Physician of the Year, chosen by a vote of her peers at Grande Ronde Hospital (GRH). Dr. Neeley is an Internal Medicine physician at the GRH Regional Medical Clinic.
The honor was revealed during the Annual General Staff Meeting on November 30th, which is held for all GRH medical staff with privileges. Dr. Neeley’s name will be added to a perpetual plaque that hangs in the physician’s lounge within the hospital.
The Distinguished Physician of the Year award was an idea developed in 2008 that sprang from conversations held among members of the Hospital’s medical staff. They wanted a way to officially recognize those from among their ranks who had stood out over the year for their commitment to providing patients with quality care, and leadership for their peers, as well as demonstrating a willingness to selflessly serve others.
“I am surprised and humbled to be recognized as the Physician of the Year,” Neeley said. “It is an honor to be chosen by my peers.”
Colleague Dr. Susan Rice prepared a few words that were shared during the General Staff Meeting. She referred to Neeley as a “great ambassador for Grande Ronde Hospital”, an “involved parent”, a “leader”, and a “support system”. In reference to Neeley’s work as a provider with GRH, Dr. Rice said “she has modeled a fierce devotion to excellence, and thus raised the quality of care in an enduring way.”
Neeley has been an internal medicine physician with GRH since 1994, served on the GRH Board of Trustees for many years, and has spent the duration of her time here making our community better. As Dr. Rice said, “she’s been an example to all of us, and has made her mark on the world.”