Local physician recognized for the second time

By Diana Cox

Thursday, Oct. 9, 2008 | midnight

Dr. Hervé Bezard of Family Doctors of Boulder City has been named for the second time as Southern Nevada Family Physician of the Year by the Nevada Academy of Family Physicians.

"It's an honor to get it twice," said Bezard, who first earned the award in 2001. "But there are plenty of others doctors out there. I'm surprised."

In addition, Bezard has also been awarded the Thomas J. Scully Praeceptor Carissimus Award for 2008 by the University of Nevada School of Medicine. A praeceptor is a physician who gives practical experience and training to medical students. At his office Bezard mentors University of Nevada medical students who are interested in going into family practice.

Bezard was also instrumental in bringing the anti-smoking program "Tar Wars" to Nevada. The program, started by the American Academy of Family Physicians, educates elementary and middle school students about being tobacco-free and provides them with the tools to make positive decisions about their health. Nevada had been one of only two states that did not support the program.

Bezard was born in France and moved to Nevada at the age of 6. He is a graduate of the University of Nevada, Reno and the University of Nevada Medical School. He has been practicing family medicine for 20 years.

Diana Cox can be reached at 990-8183 or [email protected].