William Jenkins, M.D., was awarded the 2007 Downeast Association of Physician Assistant’s (DEAPA) Physician of the Year award on April 7, 2007, in Augusta.

DEAPA’s Physician of the Year award is presented to a Maine physician who has demonstrated outstanding support of Physician Assistants and the Physician Assistant (PA) profession by precepting, educating, and legislating; or by exemplifying the PA/physician team approach to medicine.

William Jenkins, M.D., graduated from the University of Maine, served as an officer in the United States Army, and later graduated from the George Washington University School of Medicine.  He grew up in Brewer, Maine, and has been practicing in the Millinocket Area for 22 years.  Dr. Jenkins is Board Certified in Family Practice.  House calls are still a part of his practice.

Dr. Jenkins has long supported PAs through his family practice and in the Emergency Room at Millinocket Regional Hospital (MRH), where he is in charge of the four PAs who cover the ER 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  Several of those PAs have worked with him for more than 15 years – this speaks volumes for the support Dr. Jenkins has given them.  “MRH is very proud of Dr. Jenkins. He has served our region for over 20 years and has been invaluable to us as a family practice physician and Emergency Department Director. This award is well deserved and comes as no surprise, as he was family practitioner of the year in 1999!  We wish him our fondest congratulations,” stated Marie Vienneau, MRH CEO.

Dr. Jenkins has a wonderful grasp of the relationship of the MD/PA team.  He has always been one to encourage and support PAs in their individual talents.  The recognition of each individual on his team makes working with him a rewarding and stimulating medical practice and education.

Dr. Jenkins is employed by Health Access Network (HAN) and provides primary health care services to his patients from their Millinocket site.  Dawn Cook, HAN CEO states, “We were extremely glad to have Dr. Jenkins join our Community Health Center in December of 2005.  He has made many important contributions to HAN and to the system of health care in our region.  Dr. Jenkins is actively involved in development of our Healthy Aging Project.  He is one of the hardest working and most caring physicians I have ever had the opportunity to know - I can’t think of a more appropriate recipient! 

Among those attending the award ceremony in support of Dr. Jenkins were Mrs. William Jenkins, Randy Jackson, PA-C, Anne Jackson, and Dawn Cook, HAN CEO.