Doctor for All Seasons Terrains Rural Health Care AARP Bulletin
Doctor for All Seasons, Terrains; Rural Health Care - AARP Bulletin
Once a month, the 62-year-old family physician drives 130 miles from Kingman, Ariz., to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, then rides a horse two hours to a Native American village deep in the canyon to provide prenatal care. During the winter, he travels by helicopter to reach the area. Twice a month he also provides prenatal care to another tribe closer to home. "I love my work," he says. "It makes me feel worthy." Because of Jackson's dedication to rural health care, Staff Care, a temporary staffing service for health care professionals, has named him 2010 Country Doctor of the Year. The award recognizes outstanding practitioners in communities of 30,000 or fewer residents. As the winner, he can take two weeks off while Staff Care offers complimentary physician coverage. Of his busy practice, Jackson says, "We're rocking and rolling every day." So his trips to the canyon are a welcome change of pace. Jackson says he has a special fondness for his older patients, who are "like extended family to me. I literally cherish those interactions." Susan Kreimer writes about health and medicine.
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A Doctor for All Seasons and Terrains
Ken Jackson is dedicated to rural health care
You could call Ken Jackson a doc-of-all-trades. He treats patients, delivers babies and performs circumcisions, vasectomies and breast biopsies. But that's not all.Related
Ken Jackson on the road.
Once a month, the 62-year-old family physician drives 130 miles from Kingman, Ariz., to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, then rides a horse two hours to a Native American village deep in the canyon to provide prenatal care. During the winter, he travels by helicopter to reach the area. Twice a month he also provides prenatal care to another tribe closer to home. "I love my work," he says. "It makes me feel worthy." Because of Jackson's dedication to rural health care, Staff Care, a temporary staffing service for health care professionals, has named him 2010 Country Doctor of the Year. The award recognizes outstanding practitioners in communities of 30,000 or fewer residents. As the winner, he can take two weeks off while Staff Care offers complimentary physician coverage. Of his busy practice, Jackson says, "We're rocking and rolling every day." So his trips to the canyon are a welcome change of pace. Jackson says he has a special fondness for his older patients, who are "like extended family to me. I literally cherish those interactions." Susan Kreimer writes about health and medicine.
Cancel You are leaving AARP.org and going to the website of our trusted provider. The provider’s terms, conditions and policies apply. Please return to AARP.org to learn more about other benefits. Your email address is now confirmed. You'll start receiving the latest news, benefits, events, and programs related to AARP's mission to empower people to choose how they live as they age. You can also by updating your account at anytime. You will be asked to register or log in. Cancel Offer Details Disclosures