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Jeffrey King, M.D. |
Many of those young health care professionals returned to rural towns in Nebraska where they live and practice today. Here is a look at one of those professionals in recognition of the 20th anniversary of the RHOP program.
Jeffrey King, M.D., attended Chadron State College and UNMC as part of the first RHOP class. He and his wife, Jennifer (Vogel) King, M.D., practice at Internal Medical Associates in Grand Island. Dr. King also is a board certified cardiologist and practices with the Nebraska Heart Institute.
How do you feel your participation in the RHOP program affected your career as a rural health practitioner?
I feel that the RHOP program facilitated my return to a more rural setting and definitely helps promote the return of physicians to these areas that traditionally experience a shortage of providers.
What was your most memorable moment as a student and now as a practitioner?
As a student, the gross anatomy lab left a big impression on me. As a practitioner, my most memorable moment came on Feb. 14, 2004, when two firemen were brought to the hospital. I took care of these men in the ICU until both of them died of their injuries. To this day every time I hear fire truck sirens I think of these men and their families.
Who is one instructor from your education that had the greatest influence on you? Why?
The late Dr. Jay Druecker had the greatest influence on me. He worked hard for us and for the RHOP program to be successful. At UNMC, there were many wonderful physicians that had a profound influence on my education.
Why do you practice where you are now?
During my residency I worked with the physicians at Internal Medical Associates in Grand Island and had a great experience. When my wife and I began looking for a job in Nebraska this is the first place that we thought of.
What benefits do you feel your practice has brought to your community?
I hope we have brought compassionate, quality medical care that the people in this area deserve. I enjoy my patients and the close relationships that I am able to form with them and their families in this setting.