On the recordDecember 4, 2012
I want to recognize ``a wonderful life.'' Much like the movie starring Jimmy Stewart, it is the story of a small town boy who dreamed of big adventures in a big city, but who discovered his life's calling not far from home. For nearly 60 years, Dr. Russell Dohner has dedicated his life to providing affordable healthcare to residents of Rushville--a rural community in western Illinois. Dr. Dohner grew up on a farm, not far from Rushville, one of seven children. He experienced seizures as a small boy, and it was his family doctor who stayed by his side and inspired him to enter the medical field. After high school, Dr. Dohner served in the Army during World War II, attended Western Illinois University, and then worked his way through Northwestern University Medical School. Although he hoped to move to a big city and work as a cardiologist, he knew Rushville, a city of just 3,200 people, needed a doctor. In 1955 he opened an office there hoping to stay just a few years. That was 57 years ago. Today, little has changed in his Rushville office-- the nurses, the furniture, and the price of a visit. He charges patients just $5 a visit. He does not take health insurance, but at only $5 most of his patients can afford the visit. Even if someone cannot pay, he still helps them. Dr. Dohner barely makes enough money to pay his nurses, and he relies on income from his family's farm to make ends meet.…





