Following a review of the 24 outstanding candidates nominated this year, Dr. David P. Miller of Beaverlodge was selected as the 2003 Recipient of the Alberta Rural Physician Award of Distinction, based on his well-rounded contributions to rural medicine, and his noteworthy contributions to teaching and to the Beaverlodge community.  Dr. Miller received his award June 14 at a community celebration, co-hosted by RPAP, honouring him as well as three other area physicians - Drs. Robert Crowe, John Hunter, and Paul Keith.

Born and trained in Ireland, Dr. Miller immigrated to Canada in 1970, where he has served the Beaverlodge community as a family physician for the past 33 years. He has not only maintained a busy practice there, but has also provided local, regionals and provincial leadership to rural medical practice and to his local community. Dr. Miller and his wife Irene have five children.

The Award of Distinction, launched in 2002, 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 has lived and 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, or volunteering in the community.

The Award of Distinction was developed by RPAP as one element in its comprehensive retention work plan . It is hoped that through increased recognition of their contributions, more physicians will choose to continue to live and practice stay in rural Alberta..