OSWEGO, NY – Well known for his many years of dedicated care to community residents, David O’Brien, MD, was presented the Rural Practitioner of the Year Award during a reception held October 23 for new healthcare providers in Oswego County.

Dr. O’Brien is the first recipient of this award, which will be given yearly during the annual new healthcare provider reception.

To receive this physician award, the recipient must be an exceptional care giver, must be involved in the community and have made a lasting contribution to the rural health care system.

Dr. O’Brien, a native of Oswego, opened his internal medicine practice in 1965 after serving in the U.S. Air Force for eight years.

He has been an active member of the Oswego Hospital medical staff since he first opened his local practice.

“I loved practicing,” Dr. O’Brien said at the reception. “I loved the older folks, who had so much knowledge to share and I so enjoyed listening to them.”

Dr. O’Brien served as Oswego Hospital’s internal medicine service chief from 1984 to 1989 and again from 1994 to 1996.

In addition, he served on the local hospital’s medical staff executive committee from 1984 to 1996.

He has also been active in the community, and provided expertise as a medical consultant for area companies throughout his career.

In addition, since 1975 Dr. O’Brien has served as the medical director of St. Luke’s Health Services also in Oswego, and was instrumental in the development of the healthcare facility.

He continues to serve on the board of directors, a responsibility he has held since the facility opened.

In 2005, he received the St. Luke-John Foster Burden Award for his guidance and commitment to the St. Luke organization.