Peace River was the site of a day-long celebration as Dr. Mike Kolber became the first recipient of RPAP's Early Careerist Award. To honour Dr. Kolber, the RPAP and Peace River and area sponsors invited local community residents to "ski for free" on 26 February on Misery Mountain ski hill and to enjoy a BBQ and music by a local Celtic band. The Mayor, MLA, Peace Country Health VP-Medical, Associate Clinic representative and RPAP's Chairman, Dr. Odell Olson, spoke to Dr. Kolber's significant community contributions and commitment, his teaching of medical students and residents, and his commitment and passion for rural practice and the rural lifestyle.

The Early Careerist Award is presented annually to recognize the significant contributions of a rural physician within his or her first 12 years of practice who is an example of other rural physicians early in their careers. Award recipients are innovative, energetic and passionate about rural medicine and the rural lifestyle and seen to be current or future icons in their field because they are already making a difference for their clients, their community and medical practice.