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Dr. Gregory Byrd received an award for his service to this community from Virginia Rural Health Association (VRHA) at a ceremony Nov. 8 in Staunton. The Charles Crowder, Jr. award is given annually to recognize outstanding individual commitment and service to the advancement of rural health in Virginia.

Citing his “incredible service, through sacrifice, to the citizens of Shenandoah County,” Andrea Arthur, the awards committee chair, said the award is in recognition of his efforts to ensure more health care for Shenandoah County.

“Dr. Byrd worked for years to start Shenandoah County Free Clinic, which now serves over 500 people each year with medical, dental and psychiatric services,” said Pam Murphy, executive director of the clinic.

“His early and continued efforts here – as board member, medical director and volunteer provider -- have helped countless people regain their health and rebuild their lives. Yet he has been active with several other health organizations, too, all with a full-time job and family responsibilities. After seeing him continually put his own needs aside to help ensure health care for our community, we are happy to see him singled out from other individuals across the state for the difference he’s made here.”

Dr. Byrd is the 10th volunteer from Shenandoah County Free Clinic to receive state or national recognition for his work at the clinic.

The award will be given as part of the VRHA annual conference where health leaders from throughout the Commonwealth will study health care issues and how they impact rural communities.

Since Shenandoah County Free Clinic opened in June 2002, it has helped over 1,500 Shenandoah County residents with 8,000 patient care visits. Each year, it provides about $2 million in health services -- including medical, dental, psychiatric, pharmaceutical and case management – mostly through volunteer and in-kind contributions.

Thus the Free Clinic can give almost $9 in care for every dollar spent. To learn more about Shenandoah County Free Clinic, call (540) 459-1700.

“We were delighted to hear of it,” Pam Murphy, executive director of Shenandoah County Free Clinic and board member with Virginia Rural Health Association, said of the award. “He is the old-fashioned country doctor that knows generations of families. He knows that certain families here are more prone to certain types of cancer, he knows some of the problems particular families are battling. His many years of service here give him a unique perspective into how to help his patients.”

Born in Charlottesville, Virginia, Miller received both his undergraduate and medical degrees from the University of Virginia. From there, Miller along with his new wife moved to Kentucky. It was there that he completed an internship and Surgical Residency, experiencing the culture of Appalachia, including “eye for an eye” clan-style retribution.

In addition to serving the needs of rural Appalachia, Dr. Miller also served in both the Army and the Air Force. During his duties with the military, he had the opportunity to travel and practice medicine all over the United States.

As one could expect, this only increased his level of expertise in medicine and in dealing with a variety of patients.

He worked nearly twenty years locally, directing emergency room services for Shenandoah Memorial Hospital and practicing family medicine and surgery. Even in his retirement, he volunteers several hours per week at the Shenandoah County Free Clinic and makes monthly visits to the Harrisonburg-Rockingham Free Clinic. In addition, he volunteered with the Mt. Jackson Food Pantry and as a mentor and tutor for local school children.

It is Miller’s work as that dedicated country doctor that qualifies him so perfectly to be “Doc Hollywood.” For more information on the IRHA or the Doc Hollywood Day initiative, please contact Paula Johnson or Tina Elliott at the IRHA office at 812-478-3919.