SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb., – Scottsbluff physician Vincent Bjorling, MD, has been selected to receive the 2010 Nebraska Medical Association’s Physician of the Year Award in recognition of his service to the community, his patients, and medicine. The award will be presented at the Nebraska Medical Association’s Annual Session and House of Delegates in Lincoln, Neb., on October 1.

In nominating Dr. Bjorling for the Physician of the Year Award, the Regional West Physician Satisfaction Team stated: “Dr. Bjorling spends the majority of his time treating oncology patients. This is often a frightening, emotional time for patients and their families. Through it all, Dr. Bjorling approaches patient care with kindness, respect, professionalism, and a sense of humor....Dr. Bjorling is a symbol of hope and an advocate for advancement in the treatment of cancer….He is a true leader.”

Dr. Bjorling is a board-certified internal medicine physician who focuses on the care of oncology patients. In addition to his medical practice, he has served on numerous Regional West medical staff committees, provided outreach clinics to Box Butte General Hospital and Chadron Community Hospital, and now serves as chairperson of the Regional West Physicians Clinic board of directors.

His dedication to cancer patients has always extended far beyond their medical care, as demonstrated by his ongoing involvement in Regional West Cancer Treatment Center’s Camp Hope and Cancer Survivors Day.

Dr. Bjorling was instrumental in the development of the volunteer-based Festival of Hope, which raises money to help area cancer patients meet their non-medical expenses during cancer treatment. In the eight years since it was organized, the Festival of Hope has raised over $1.1 million dollars. Nearly $1 million dollars has been used to help panhandle cancer patients. The remaining ten percent has been donated to cancer research centers in Omaha and Colorado to help further cancer research.

As a family, Dr. Bjorling, his wife Vicki, and their son E.J. have been involved in many community activities. He has volunteered as a Little League coach, swim team assistant, Boy Scout Merit Badge Counselor and troop leader assistant. An avid hunter, he is also involved in Ducks Unlimited and Pheasants Forever.

Dr. Bjorling joined Scottsbluff Internal Medicine and the Regional West medical staff on June 25, 1986. Since then, the practice transitioned first to the integrated primary care practice known as Horizons West Medical Group and more recently to the current integrated multispecialty group that is Regional West Physicians Clinic. Dr. Bjorling was very involved in the development of both practices.

Regional West Health Services, with over 1,800 employees, provides comprehensive and innovative health care services for the people and communities of western Nebraska and the neighboring states of Colorado, South Dakota and Wyoming. With over 110 active physicians, 95 percent of whom are board certified or board eligible, plus an additional 25 consulting specialists, Regional West offers care that spans more than 30 medical specialties. Regional West Medical Center, a subsidiary of Regional West Health Services, is accredited by The Joint Commission and is one of three Level II Trauma Centers in Nebraska.