Dr. Michael Rausch, El Dorado, is one of three finalists in a National Contest to Name a Country Doctor of the Year. The competition, sponsored by Merritt Hawkins, an AMN Healthcare Company, was open to any physician practicing in a rural setting. Nominations closed late in 2017.

Dr. Michael Rausch, El Dorado, is one of three finalists in a National Contest to Name a Country Doctor of the Year. The competition, sponsored by Merritt Hawkins, an AMN Healthcare Company, was open to any physician practicing in a rural setting. Nominations closed late in 2017.

Candace Ratcliff, RN, who has worked with Dr. Rausch for the past 12 years, nominated him for the award. She is pictured with Dr. Rausch and the plaque he was awarded as one of the three finalists. In addition to Candace’s written nomination, Dr. Rausch took part in a phone interview with Dr. Hannes, a member of the selection committee.

Dr. Rausch was chosen for his 25 years of practice in a rural area, both in Family Medicine and in Obstetrics – he’s seen lots of patients and delivered lots of babies in 25 years! However, his selection as a finalist was based on even more than being a seasoned veteran in the practice of medicine – he does so much more.

Dr. Rausch began his journey to national recognition in this area. He was born in Winfield, raised in Butler County, graduated from Southwestern College, then from KU School of Medicine.

He owns two clinics in Butler County; El Dorado Sports and Family Medicine and Augusta Family Practice, plus one in Winfield; ABC Medical Practice. While this 3-tier practice keeps him busy in his profession; it was – again – the “so much more” that earned him the award.

Dr. Rausch has been Team Physician for Butler Community College since 1993, and Medical Director for the school’s Student Health Program since 2002. He volunteers his medical expertise in support of the Butler Grizzlies football team.

He has served as Medical Director for Butler County Health Department and of that agency’s Mother and Infants Program since 2007, and has served as Medical Director for Heartland Hospice and Home Health Care since 2009; he is the Primary Investigator for Clinical Research Trials. In his role as Director of Heartland Hospice, Dr. Rausch regularly visits homebound Kansans in a 200 mile radius of his home in El Dorado.

He has served as president of the Butler/Greenwood Medical Society since 2010, and as Medical Director for El Dorado Care and Rehabilitation Center since that year as well. He also serves as Medical Consultant for our local Mental Health Counseling Center and as Medical Director for the Family Resource/ Pregnancy Care Center.

Dr. Rausch does on-site school sports physicals at Douglass, Towanda and El Dorado High Schools, and participates in area health fairs.

In addition to these vital community connections, Dr. Rausch serves on the Physician’s Assistants Council for the Kansas State Board of Healing Arts, and on the Kansas Association of Family Practitioner’s Public Health Committee. He also teaches medical students from KU School of Medicine.