The Alberta Rural Physician Action Plan (RPAP) has selected Dr. Elizabeth M. Racz, a Drumheller physician, as the 2005 Recipient of the Alberta Rural Physician Award of Distinction.

"Following a review of the outstanding candidates nominated this year, the RPAP Coordinating Committee selected Dr. Racz based on her well-rounded contributions to rural medicine, her special care and attention to cancer patients, and her volunteer efforts in the Drumheller community.  She is an excellent role model for other physicians.  She is also both the first female and the first physician from southern Alberta to receive the award," says Dr. Odell Olson, RPAP Coordinating Committee Chair and Award Selection Committee. 

Dr. Racz was presented with the Award of Distinction at a community celebration co-hosted by RPAP and the Drumheller community on Saturday, June 25 at the Drumheller Health Centre. The RPAP Award of Distinction honours and recognizes the work of all rural physicians, especially those "unsung heroes" who provide Alberta rural communities with outstanding medical services and who also make huge contributions to medical practice and to their communities.  It is presented annually to an Alberta rural family physician who lives and has worked in rural Alberta for at least four years, and who demonstrates a superior commitment and contribution to the community through medical practice, teaching other health professionals, conducting research, and volunteering in the community.  Rural Alberta is defined as any community outside of the former Calgary and Edmonton health region boundaries.  The Award of Distinction was developed by the RPAP as one element of its comprehensive retention plan.

Dr. Elizabeth Racz, 2005 Recipient of the Rural Physician Award of Distinction, was born in Canmore  and graduated with her medical degree from the University of Calgary.  Following her graduation, she moved to Drumheller and established a family practice where she has been a member of the medical staff for twenty four years. Dr. Racz was part of a viability study for a cancer treatment centre in Drumheller. When the Centre was approved in 1997, she became the primary physician on the unit and continues in this capacity today as well as attending to her family practice patients. Patients from all over the area come to the Drumheller Community Care Centre to receive their cancer treatments rather than commuting to Calgary each time. Having both the shorter travel times and care in a centre close to home creates less stress for cancer patients. The Drumheller site works in conjunction with the Tom Baker Cancer Centre in Calgary.  Dr. Racz' expertise in cancer management and her wisdom and compassion while dealing with the complex issues involving cancer patients and their families are valued by her patients.

Besides her family medical practice and work in cancer treatment and palliative care, Dr. Racz has been a valued community volunteer. Over the years she has helped to enhance the quality of life in Drumheller and area through her participation in Kinettes, her active membership in her church, her help in teaching the CALM curriculum and providing presentations on teenage pregnancy in the schools, her help supporting school basketball, volleyball and baseball teams, her support and counseling to community members, and her volunteering with the Canadian Badlands Passion Play. Dr. Racz is appreciated by community members for her genuine concern for her patients, the personal interest she takes in their lives, her willingness to go the extra mile to do all that she can for anyone in need, her down to earth manner that makes her easy to approach, and her warm sense of humour.

Dr. Racz and her husband Bob Boyce have three children:  Jody, Joshua and Elizabeth.