Dr. David Agerter Named Minnesota's 2007 Family Physician of the Year

April 25, 2007

The Minnesota Academy of Family Physicians (MAFP) has named David Agerter, M.D., Kasson, as its 2007 Family Physician of the Year.  This award is presented annually to a family physician who represents the highest ideals of the specialty of family medicine, including caring, comprehensive medical service, community involvement and service as a role model.

Twenty-three family doctors from across the state were nominated for the award by patients, community members and co-workers.   Five finalists were selected from the field of nominees.  Along with Dr. Agerter, they included Dr. Paul Bergstrand, Alexandria; Dr. Deborah Dittberner, Alexandria; Dr. Keith Oelschlager, Vadnais Heights; and Dr. Craig Solberg, St. Paul.  After reviewing dozens of nomination letters, the MAFP Board of Directors chose Dr. Agerter as the winner.  The award was presented to him during the MAFP All-Member Celebration on Thursday, April 19, 2007, at the RiverCentre in St. Paul.  His name will be entered for consideration for the national award given by the American Academy of Family Physicians in 2008.

“I’m truly honored and humbled by this award because there are so many other deserving physicians besides myself,” Dr. Agerter said.

Dr. Agerter practices at the Kasson Mayo Family Clinic – the same location where he studied as a resident.  He has been a family physician in the community for 24 years and cares for many of the people he grew up with.   Besides maintaining a busy practice, he has also taken on numerous leadership roles within the Mayo Clinic.  He served as Chair of the Family Medicine Department, as well as the Kasson Mayo Family Medicine Residency Program Director.  More recently, he was named an Associate Dean of Mayo’s School of Health Sciences.

Patients who nominated Dr. Agerter praise his caring and selfless ways.  “I think he’s special because he goes beyond the call of duty and he cares personally about all of his patients,” said patient Patricia Derby. 

Dr. Agerter’s passion for helping people is not just about diagnosis and treatment.  “He will help a patient make an appointment, or get in their car, or get their shoes on, or whatever else needs doing,” said nurse Rebecca Wheeler.

Dr. Agerter grew up on a dairy farm near West Concord.  He and his wife, Barb, have been married for nearly 30 years.  Together, the couple raised four children.  When he’s not working or spending time with family, Dr. Agerter finds ways to help the community.  He serves as the team doctor for the Triton football team, works with a local nursing home and serves as medical director for area emergency responders.

When describing his career in family medicine, Dr. Agerter said, “I truly believe that patients have taught me more than I’ve taught them.  All I have to do is listen.”

The Minnesota Academy of Family Physicians is a professional association of approximately 3,000 family physicians, family medicine residents and medical students organized to assist family physicians in providing quality medical care in Minnesota.  The MAFP is the largest medical specialty organization in Minnesota and is a state chapter of the American Academy of Family Physicians.

 

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