Box Butte General Hospital: News

John Ruffing, Jr., MD, honored by Alma mater and AMA

04/20/10

John Ruffing, Jr., MD The year 2010 will be one to remember for John Ruffing, Jr., MD, a family physician whose medical career began in Hemingford, NE, 49 years ago and who will in all likelihood end his career in the same community. The American Medical Association (AMA) honored Dr. Ruffing for his 50-year anniversary of graduation from medical school. “The AMA counts my year of residency as part of my career,” Dr. Ruffing said. “But I wasn’t in Hemingford during my residency, so I’m going by how long I practiced in Hemingford, which will be 50 full years next year.”

Dr. Ruffing graduated from Loma Linda School of Medicine, Loma Linda, CA. This year, the AMA will recognize almost 2,200 physician members who graduated from medial school in 1960. Dr. Ruffing is a member of the AMA’s Senior Physicians Group, which includes 60,000 physicians who are 65 years and beyond. It is the largest organization of senior physicians in the country.

Speaking of Loma Linda – Dr. Ruffing was also one of 10 alumni honored by his alma mater as part of its Centennial Celebration held during the first week of March. “I have no idea why I was chosen,” he said with his trademark smile. “Usually they honor one alumni during their annual alumni celebration, but this year since it was their centennial, they decided to honor ten … I’m still trying to figure out why I was one of them.”

He said all they would tell him was that they felt he deserved it. “My former roommate in medical school, Charles Simms, was on my left during the ceremony held Monday, March 8. He’s currently doing stem cell research on cord blood. On my right was President Obama’s personal White House physician, a captain in the Navy, I believe. I can’t remember his name, but I do know he is triple boarded. I can’t remember the names or careers of the other seven honored. And then there was me. I figure the reason is because I stayed in one place my whole practice. Not many physicians spend their whole medical career in one place.”

Dr. Ruffing was one of 92 or 94 medical students to graduate from Loma Linda in 1960. “There were 62 of us present for the centennial celebration this year,” he recalled. “My whole family was also present. They were all with me at my 25th homecoming banquet as well, which was the last one I attended before this one in March.”

“The AMA congratulates Dr. Ruffing on 50 years of dedication to the medical profession,” said Michael D. Maves, MD, MBA, executive vice president and chief executive officer of the AMA. “Dr. Ruffing has seen many changes in medicine in the last 50 years. We sincerely thank him for his commitment to this great profession.”

Asked what his plans are, Dr. Ruffing said he would like to practice his full 50 years in Hemingford by next year, 2011. “If my health and mind hold out, I would like to cut back to half-time for an indefinite period of time,” he concluded.

Dr. Ruffing has been practicing at the Hemingford Clinic since 1961. He approached Box Butte General Hospital in 2000 to propose that his clinic become a part of BBGH’s operations. The discussions proved fruitful, with the Clinic acquired by the hospital in January of 2001, becoming the second satellite clinic operated by BBGH.

The clinic focuses on family practice care.

Dr. Ruffing is the current Chief of Staff for Box Butte General Hospital.