National Rural Practitioner of the Year- 2009

Tom Dean to be honored at open house June 11

Governor proclaims Thursday “Dr. Tom Dean Day”

An open house honoring Dr. Tom Dean will be held at the hospital community room in Wessington Springs from 4:00-6:00 pm on Thursday, June 11.

The Wessington Springs family practitioner was named “2009 Practitioner of the Year” by the National Rural Health Association.

By Executive Proclamation from the office of Governor M. Michael Rounds, June 11, 2009 has been proclaimed “Dr Tom Dean Day” in South Dakota.

The Governor noted that rural health care takes individuals of rare strength, fortitude and intellect, and has been demonstrated most especially by small town doctors who exhibit care, compassion and an undying commitment to patient care.

Governor Rounds praised Dr Dean for his commitment to continuing health care, for being a strong link to sustaining and enhancing access to rural health care services, and for the ongoing success of the medical facilities in South Dakota. He also noted that Dr Dean’s leadership at the national level has made lasting contributions to health care and to improving the lives of rural Americans.

Dr Dean has practiced medicine in Jerauld, Sanborn and Aurora counties for more than 30 years as a family medicine specialist in Horizon Health Care’s community health centers, and is a member of the medical staff at Avera Weskota Memorial Medical Center where he serves a chief of staff. He serves as a clinical professor of Family Medicine with the Sanford School of Medicine at the University of South Dakota, and serves on the Board of Directors for the Bush Foundation Medical Fellowship. He is a member of the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) advising Congress on issues affecting the Medicare program.

See your invitation to the open house on page five.