2007 Healthcare Hero
Dr. Scott Van Gorder
Physician/Oswego

Dr. Scott Van Gorder's pride and passion lies in saving people's lives. Van Gorder is a physician/leader at the Oswego County Opportunities' Health Center in Oswego.

Susan Ernestine, a patient of Van Gorder, successfully nominated him as a winner in the Physician/Oswego category for the annual "Healthcare Heroes" award competition.
"Where do I start?" she asked. "Dr. Van Gorder is a doctor who really cares about his patients. I have asthma, high blood pressure, acid reflux, emphysema, hypothyroid, diabetes and cancer in both lungs. If it were not for Dr. Van Gorder, I would have given up a long time ago."
Another patient, Kelley Potter, echoes the sentiments.

"He listens. He cares. He doesn't brush off your concerns. He takes control when needed," Potter said.

Among Van Gorder's greatest accomplishments are resuscitating newborns and watching them grow up and lead a normal childhood. Also, he sees saving the lives of alcoholics by helping them rehabilitate as a significant achievement.

Van Gorder is not afraid to give back to the medical community. "I currently work hand-in-hand with a nurse practitioner and physician's assistant. I am very involved with the New Visions program and enjoy the time I have to spend with high school students who rotate through my office to experience my field of medicine," he noted.

The Oswego native earned his medical degree at the New York College of Osteopathic Medicine, Old Westbury.

He is board certified in family practice and osteopathic manipulative treatment.
He earned the Oswego County Opportunities' Leadership Award in 2006.