Dr. Reed (middle) with Wray Clinic staff and his students.
David Reed, MD, Family Medicine Physician at Wray Hospital & Clinic and Assistant Clinical Professor in the Department of Family Medicine (DFM), is this year’s F. A. "Gus" Garcia, MD, Distinguished Physician High Plains Walking Stick Award recipient.
Established in 1994, the Walking Stick Award recognizes rural family physicians for their twenty plus years of dedicated service and the positive impact they've made in both their medical and local communities. It also acknowledges their contributions to the education of medical students and residents.
Inspired by the Osage orange bush—native to the Great Plains and known for its resilience in harsh weather—the award symbolizes the strength and endurance of rural family physicians. A testament to Dr. Reed’s legacy of excellence, leadership, and mentorship.
Dr. Reed’s impressive commitment to teaching and mentoring medical students has left a lasting impact on rural health and the future of family medicine. CUSOM Rural Program faculty, Amanda Swanson, MD, shared that “Dr. Reed has been teaching medical students and residents for over 26 years in Wray, CO. There is not a single family medicine doctor at the hospital in Wray who wasn’t taught by Dr. Reed at some point in their education.”
Dr. Reed’s students continue to recall the lasting impact he had on them. Asa Ware, MD, CUSOM graduate, said that “Dr. Reed was a personal mentor and teacher to me during my training in the CUSOM Rural Track, and now I’m honored to work with him through the Wray Rural Residency Training Program as he continues to shape the next generation of rural family doctors. His dedication to rural medicine and medical education has inspired countless trainees and colleagues alike.”
When asked about this award, Dr. Reed said that he is touched by this distinguished honor and reminisced on his family history of teaching, “It is such an honor to receive the Walking Stick Award. I have always enjoyed teaching medical students and residents. I have always believed it is our responsibility as physicians to be the teachers for the new generations of physicians. I have been blessed to work in an environment where we can teach and my partners share the same ideals of teaching that I do in educating the next generation of physicians. I have loved the teaching aspect of medicine; I sincerely enjoy it. While our greatest responsibility is to take care of our patients, I think it is nearly as important to help the younger physicians acquire the knowledge and experiences we have attained. I come from two parents that were both teachers, I’m glad my career has allowed me to be a teacher too. And I know my parents would be proud of that.”
Congratulations, Dr. Reed, on this well-deserved award. And thank you for your outstanding mentorship as you continue to guide the future of rural health physicians.
Dr. Reed with the honorary "walking stick".
Dr. Reed with one of his students, Afton Tanner.