The American Medical Association on Tuesday presented Riverside County Supervisor Bob Buster with its top government service award.

"I am honored to be selected for this award. It focuses attention at this critical time on Riverside County’s shortage of doctors and the other challenges we face," Buster said in a news release after the ceremony in which he received the Dr. Nathan Davis Award for Outstanding Government Service.

"The American Medical Association is recognizing the hard work and cooperation of Riverside County, its physicians, community members and other dedicated residents who are finding solutions with initiatives like the UC Riverside Medical School," he said

Group members were equally enthusiastic in their praise for Buster’s efforts leading the Riverside County Access to Care Coalition in confronting an acute physician shortage in Riverside County.

"Supervisor Buster has gained the admiration of physicians for working to help a large community as it struggles to provide access to high-quality health care, especially for indigent and vulnerable patients," said AMA Board Chair Rebecca J. Patchin.

"His dedicated efforts to improve health care access and raise awareness among the public and elected officials will make Riverside County a healthier community for all its citizens," the doctor said.

Buster, who owns a Riverside citrus grove, represents Lake Elsinore, Wildomar, Mead Valley, De Luz and other communities along or near Interstate 15. Buster has served on the five-member county board since 1993. Advertisement

[ Berry-Bell and Hall Mortuary ] He was elected after serving two terms on the Riverside City Council.

Buster was nominated for the award last fall by Dr. David Friscia, president of the Riverside County Medical Association. Association officials cited Buster’s health care involvement that includes work with the county Regional Medical Center and his role in the formation of the Inland Empire Health Plan and the county’s Access to Care Coalition.

Buster accepted an engraved Steuben bowl and gave an acceptance speech at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Washington, D.C., to an audience that included national media, hundreds of health care professionals, members of Congress and other policymakers and top officials.

Buster’s remarks included a call for action to address the county’s doctor shortage and to correct flawed state formulas that shortchange the county’s physicians and hospitals by millions of dollars.

The award, named for the founding father of the AMA, recognizes elected and career officials in federal, state or municipal service whose outstanding contributions have promoted the art and science of medicine and the betterment of public health.

‘Through the Nathan Davis Awards, the AMA salutes government officials who go above and beyond the call of duty to improve public health," Patchin said. "Award winners come from every branch of government service and are a testament to the important role public officials play in creating and implementing health policy that benefits Americans."