News
Passing the torch: Dr. Jeffery Bushman earns first award for preceptorship in county
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| Taken in and mentored From left, medical students Mike Maruska and Chad Nelson, a 1998 WHS graduate, with wife Angelina and three-month-old baby Brooklyn, stand with Dr. Jeffery Bushman in front of photos of his many medical students. (Carol Broeder/ARN) |
By Carol Broeder/Arizona range news
A Willcox physician was recently honored for the years he has spent training the next generation of doctors.
Dr. Jeffery Bushman of Bushman Clinic was named "Outstanding Preceptor of the Year," by the Southeast Arizona Health Education Center (SEAHEC), the AHEC/University of Arizona Family Medicine Rural Interprofessional Residency Program, and the Arizona Association of Community Health Centers.
A preceptor is a physician who gives practical experience and training to a medical or nursing student.
Bushman was given this first annual award for "distinguished service, and for your exemplary leadership in education and dedication to preceptorship in Cochise County."
The purpose of the award is to "recognize the often unsung heroes, clinicians who take the time to work with medical and health professions students interested in completing clinical rotations in rural and medically underserved communities in Southern Arizona."
It was given out last month during a luncheon held in Sierra Vista.
Bushman was again honored prior to that as "Preceptor of the Quarter - Fall 2009" by Midwestern University, Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine.
Its family medicine department began this new tradition in 2009, "honoring our wonderful osteopathic community preceptors by choosing a Family Medicine Preceptor of the Quarter..."
"Your tireless efforts over the years in training our family medicine students have not gone unnoticed. You are an asset to our program and we thank you for all you have done to foster a healthy learning experience."
The award letter included a write-up on Bushman, describing him as a "board certified osteopathic family physician now practicing in the rural community of Willcox."
He graduated from the University of Osteopathic Medicine and Health in Des Moines, Iowa, in 1985.
Bushman "has continued to serve the community of Willcox and train AZCOM students in family medicine and osteopathic manipulation since 2001."
"Medical students on rotation in his office have consistently commented on the excellent experiences they have enjoyed," the write-up said.
"These overwhelming positive student responses and many others compliment the experience they had with Dr. Bushman in Willcox. The comments expressed in these evaluations demonstrate student excitement, exposure to excellent patient care, and an inspiring mentorship."
Chad Nelson, a 1998 Willcox High School graduate, is one of those many students.
He had played basketball, tennis, and even ran cross-country for a year, while in high school, before moving to Phoenix about 10 years ago.
Nelson graduated from the University of Arizona in 2003, then entered medical school at St. Louis University in Missouri in August of 2006.
He plans to become a cardiologist.
Nelson came back to Willcox in October with his wife Angelina and three-month-old baby Brooklyn.
"In the third year of medical school, rotations are set for us," he explained. "In the fourth year, you get to explore your interests."
Nelson had been a friend to the Bushman family while he was growing up in Willcox, so he asked to work with him.
"I've been here learning the tricks of the trade," said Nelson, eliciting a grin from Bushman.
"It's been interesting to see how the town has changed," he told the Range News.
"There have been a fair number of people who recognized Chad," Bushman interjected.
"One of the greatest things is watching Dr. Bushman's interaction with patients - how he is able to manage his time effectively so that they feel not rushed and getting everything they need while they're here," Nelson said.
Third-year medical student Mike Maruska is currently in the "structured rotation" Nelson referred to.
Originally from Southern California, Maruska attends Midwestern University in Phoenix. While it is his fifth rotation, "it's the first that is primary care."
Maruska had selected this rotation, putting himself in the lottery system for it.
Being in Willcox reminds him of visiting his grandparents in Minnesota, where his uncle was a rural surgeon.
One of the things that strikes him is the friendliness of the people, and the warm feeling here, whereas in the big city, "things can become so depersonalized."
"I've really enjoyed having them," Bushman said.
"They're fun to be with. These guys keep me on my toes. They're high tech guys. They can look stuff up on the computer in five minutes, while I'm still looking through my books."
Bushman, who has been a preceptor since 1994, proudly displays photos of his many medical students on a wall in his clinic.
"Some of them still keep in touch with me," he told the Range News.
A couple of them, like Nelson, have Willcox ties.
Bushman has a photo of Arju Patel of Willcox, who did her rotation with him from February through March 2009.
C.K. Charles Choi, who was at the Bushman Clinic from July through August 2002, married April Placencia of Willcox, who is now an O.B. nurse.
"Congratulations, Dr. Bushman, and thank you again for continuing to provide this wonderful hands-on opportunity in Willcox for osteopathic education and clinical medicine," said the award letter from Midwestern University.
"I really, really enjoy it," Bushman says simply.
Dr. Jeffery Bushman of Bushman Clinic was named "Outstanding Preceptor of the Year," by the Southeast Arizona Health Education Center (SEAHEC), the AHEC/University of Arizona Family Medicine Rural Interprofessional Residency Program, and the Arizona Association of Community Health Centers.
A preceptor is a physician who gives practical experience and training to a medical or nursing student.
Bushman was given this first annual award for "distinguished service, and for your exemplary leadership in education and dedication to preceptorship in Cochise County."
The purpose of the award is to "recognize the often unsung heroes, clinicians who take the time to work with medical and health professions students interested in completing clinical rotations in rural and medically underserved communities in Southern Arizona."
It was given out last month during a luncheon held in Sierra Vista.
Bushman was again honored prior to that as "Preceptor of the Quarter - Fall 2009" by Midwestern University, Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine.
Its family medicine department began this new tradition in 2009, "honoring our wonderful osteopathic community preceptors by choosing a Family Medicine Preceptor of the Quarter..."
"Your tireless efforts over the years in training our family medicine students have not gone unnoticed. You are an asset to our program and we thank you for all you have done to foster a healthy learning experience."
The award letter included a write-up on Bushman, describing him as a "board certified osteopathic family physician now practicing in the rural community of Willcox."
He graduated from the University of Osteopathic Medicine and Health in Des Moines, Iowa, in 1985.
Bushman "has continued to serve the community of Willcox and train AZCOM students in family medicine and osteopathic manipulation since 2001."
"Medical students on rotation in his office have consistently commented on the excellent experiences they have enjoyed," the write-up said.
"These overwhelming positive student responses and many others compliment the experience they had with Dr. Bushman in Willcox. The comments expressed in these evaluations demonstrate student excitement, exposure to excellent patient care, and an inspiring mentorship."
Chad Nelson, a 1998 Willcox High School graduate, is one of those many students.
He had played basketball, tennis, and even ran cross-country for a year, while in high school, before moving to Phoenix about 10 years ago.
Nelson graduated from the University of Arizona in 2003, then entered medical school at St. Louis University in Missouri in August of 2006.
He plans to become a cardiologist.
Nelson came back to Willcox in October with his wife Angelina and three-month-old baby Brooklyn.
"In the third year of medical school, rotations are set for us," he explained. "In the fourth year, you get to explore your interests."
Nelson had been a friend to the Bushman family while he was growing up in Willcox, so he asked to work with him.
"I've been here learning the tricks of the trade," said Nelson, eliciting a grin from Bushman.
"It's been interesting to see how the town has changed," he told the Range News.
"There have been a fair number of people who recognized Chad," Bushman interjected.
"One of the greatest things is watching Dr. Bushman's interaction with patients - how he is able to manage his time effectively so that they feel not rushed and getting everything they need while they're here," Nelson said.
Third-year medical student Mike Maruska is currently in the "structured rotation" Nelson referred to.
Originally from Southern California, Maruska attends Midwestern University in Phoenix. While it is his fifth rotation, "it's the first that is primary care."
Maruska had selected this rotation, putting himself in the lottery system for it.
Being in Willcox reminds him of visiting his grandparents in Minnesota, where his uncle was a rural surgeon.
One of the things that strikes him is the friendliness of the people, and the warm feeling here, whereas in the big city, "things can become so depersonalized."
"I've really enjoyed having them," Bushman said.
"They're fun to be with. These guys keep me on my toes. They're high tech guys. They can look stuff up on the computer in five minutes, while I'm still looking through my books."
Bushman, who has been a preceptor since 1994, proudly displays photos of his many medical students on a wall in his clinic.
"Some of them still keep in touch with me," he told the Range News.
A couple of them, like Nelson, have Willcox ties.
Bushman has a photo of Arju Patel of Willcox, who did her rotation with him from February through March 2009.
C.K. Charles Choi, who was at the Bushman Clinic from July through August 2002, married April Placencia of Willcox, who is now an O.B. nurse.
"Congratulations, Dr. Bushman, and thank you again for continuing to provide this wonderful hands-on opportunity in Willcox for osteopathic education and clinical medicine," said the award letter from Midwestern University.
"I really, really enjoy it," Bushman says simply.
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