By Robert Pore
robert.pore@theindependent.com

McGahan is the medical director for emergency services at St. Francis and joined the medical staff in 1995.

"There are a lot of doctors that deserve this award, too," McGahan said. "There are a lot of doctors that do a lot of things that go unrecognized in the community."

Mike Gloor, president and CEO of St. Francis Medical Center, said it was hard to make a decision for the award, "when you consider the number of excellent physicians we have practicing in this community now."

"But certainly anybody who knows him would argue that Dr. McGahan does an excellent job in a difficult area to practice," Gloor said.

There has been a steady increase in the number of patients going to the hospital's emergency room. According to hospital officials, that number is now at 2,000 per month.

In his nomination of McGahan for the award, one employee said McGahan worked 23 12-hour shifts in the ER during December.

McGahan serves as the medical director for multiple Emergency Medical Service squads in the surrounding communities. He is also the medical director to the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners for victims of sexual assault.

He is involved with multiple community boards, including the Nebraska Medical Association Board. He is active in his church and has volunteered his time to the Third City Community Clinic.

In nominating McGahan for the award, St. Francis employees and medical staff commented on his calm demeanor in handling emergencies and his respect for each and every patient.

McGahan was also recognized for being a strong advocate in developing the Trauma Service at St. Francis. He worked with the American College of Surgeons to assist the hospital in getting a trauma designation.

The Physician Excellence Award honors a physician who exemplifies the core values of St. Francis: reverence, integrity, compassion and excellence. The award was organized by an internal team of St. Francis employees. Ten physicians were nominated this year.