Caring for his neighbors, womb to tomb
David Watson, MD, 2008 Country Doctor of the Year
Hands-on care
Dr. David Watson drains fluid from Dorothy Dean's elbow. The family physician was honored for his half-century of caring for the people of Yoakum, Texas. Dr. Watson still sees about 30 patients a day, both in his office and at a variety of local facilities.
Aged, but still functional
The same medical bag has served Dr. Watson throughout his career. "It's been a few strange places."
Where everybody knows his name
The Yoakum Community Hospital has a wing named after Dr. Watson. The family physician still makes rounds, but he stopped covering the emergency department at age 65.
Photos by David J. Phillip, AP/Wide World Photos