ACC Medical Director Receives Community Physician Award

Dr. Myra Quanrud looks into the ear of Carol, a student at the Anne Carlsen Center

The Anne Carlsen Center’s medical director has been rewarded for her labor of love.

Dr. Myra Quanrud, a pediatrician, was honored by the medical community in the end of 2008. The Jamestown doctor was named the first-ever Community Physician of the Year.

“It is pretty special,” said Quanrud. “I was very surprised and very much humbled.”

“The bar is set very high to meet that standard,” said the Center’s CEO Dan Howell. “Dr. Quanrud’s tireless drive, her ability, and her caring for children and families is second to none. Other physicians who are nominated will have to live up to a very high standard.”

Quanrud, a graduate from the University of North Dakota, began working for the Center in 1994. She splits her time evenly between Innovis Health Clinic in Jamestown and the ACC Jamestown Campus.

“With the board (at the Anne Carlsen Center) and the Innovis administration, both have gone out of their way to be creative and make it a partnership,” said Quanrud.

Innovis Health Systems presented the award to Quanrud during the first Doctors Society Gala this fall.

Her dual role was part of the reason the longtime pediatrician was nominated by one of her peers. Quanrud’s candidacy was reviewed by another group of physicians, which then selected her as the award recipient.

When it comes to her work in the community, Quanrud has repeatedly shown a steadfast commitment to the individuals she serves.

“Innovis Health has been very happy with this arrangement,” said Innovis CMO Tim Mahoney. “It works well for the Anne Carlsen Center, and we provide coverage for their unique patients. This has always been a passion for Dr. Quanrud, and we are extremely proud of her community involvement and hard work.”

Dr. Quanrud was awarded the Community Physician of the Year award for her work with the Anne Carlsen Center, along with the Jamestown and surrounding communities.

Working at the Anne Carlsen Center provides a number of challenges and opportunities for the doctor. The Anne Carlsen Center cares for children and young adults with a wide range of developmental disabilities and complex medical needs. However, the youngsters who reside at the Center consistently have shorter hospital visits and bounce back from illness faster than normal because of the quality of care they receive.

“Sometimes our victories are abstract,” explained Quanrud. “Sometimes it is about what doesn’t happen for these children, versus what does happen.”

Many of these experiences with the children have, in turn, helped Quanrud in the rest of her week – working at Innovis Health Clinic.

“I’ve picked up so many things just being at the Center,” said Quanrud. “Therapy, behavior management – all of that carries over to work in the community.”

But it is her resolve and caring that holds all of the experiences together – the glue that makes all of her bonds with others so special and so strong.

“Dr. Quanrud has brought a very determined spirit,” said Howell. “She has brought that tenacity to the staff and … a never-give-up attitude.”

The Anne Carlsen Center offers a rich tradition of empowering individuals with disabilities and their families. Our experienced staff provides compassion, training, services and supports in homes and communities across North Dakota. On our Jamestown Campus, we meet the educational, residential and therapeutic needs of children and young adults with behavioral disorders, medical fragility, and other developmental disabilities.