MAYO CLINIC ONCOLOGIST HONORED AS PHYSICIAN OF THE YEAR

The Association of American Indian Physicians honors Dr. Judith Kaur as the 2007 Physician of the Year. Dr. Kaur is the medical director of the Native American Programs of the Mayo Comprehensive Cancer Center. She is also Associate Professor of Oncology at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine.

"Dr. Kaur (Choctaw/Cherokee) is one of the few Native American oncologists in the nation," says Melvina McCabe, MD, Chair of the Selection Committee. "She is the driving force of a number of health programs and initiatives to improve the care and treatment of all cancer patients."

Dr. Kaur is active in outreach and educational projects. She oversees a
program called Native WEB that provides training to nurses who conduct
breast and cervical cancer screening to Native American and other
underserved women. She is also proud of the Spirit of E.A.G.L.E.S. program
which inspires students to explore health careers and examine health issues
in Native American communities.

"I'm drawn to the study of cancer because of its complexity and how it
affects people," explains Dr. Kaur. "It's important for us to care and
counsel patients with compassion."

Her devotion to her patients and her profession earned her the recognition
of Physician of the Year at the recent AAIP conference held in Nashville,
TN. Her colleagues consider her a remarkable role model and mentor for
Native American students. Dr. Kaur is the first in her family to graduate
from high school. She spent several years as an educator and counselor
before earning her medical degree from the University of Colorado Medical
School.

"My goal is to inspire 10 more students to study oncology before I retire,"
says Dr. Kaur. "The work is very fulfilling - it's a wonderful thing to be
able to make a difference in the lives of patients."

The selection committee was composed of past recipients of the award. Dr.
Kaur was honored at the closing luncheon of the AAIP Annual Meeting and
Health Conference. She was presented with a Pendleton blanket embroidered with her name, the award, and the year.