The Davis County Hospital scored big last week in the area of physician recruitment. The hospital received two signed contracts from doctors who committed to starting practices in Davis County. CEO Deb Herzberg discussed physician recruitment with the Davis County Hospital Board last month. During that discussion she talked about how difficult it was to recruit doctors. She also discussed the fact that fewer and fewer young people were going into medical school. “This is just great,” said Herzberg of her success in obtaining the two signed contracts. “We really are in a position where finding doctors is getting tougher and tougher. I was happy with the one signed contract, but we received two this week.” One came from Dr. Jake Settles, a surgeon, and the other from Dr. Andrew Porter, who will provide family practice and obstetrics. Herzberg has been in discussions with Dr. Settles for some time. Settles is a general surgeon and was looking for a chance to return to Iowa where he grew up. Settles and his wife, Trina, have three daughters. Trina is currently pregnant with the couple’s fourth child. Currently, the Settles family lives in Missouri where they are in the military. “My understanding is that Jake will be done with his military service in July,” said Herzberg. “His wife is also in the military, and she won’t be able to get out until some time after that. They are excited about the chance to come here.” Settles is a general surgeon and will be an employee of the hospital. He doesn’t plan to start a general practice, but will concentrate on surgery. Settles did his general surgery residency at the Northeast Regional Medical Center in Kirksville, Mo., in 2005. He performed an internship at the same facility and studied at the Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine. Settles moved on to do his graduate work at the University of Iowa in Iowa City. He also spent time as an undergraduate at Coe College in Cedar Rapids. Settles is board certified in general surgery. He is also certified in NBOME, parts one through three. He passed his general surgery in-service exams from 2002-2005. He currently has a medical license in Missouri. Settles received his Army commendation medal for service in Afghanistan in 2006. He was promoted to the rank of Major in October, 2006. He graduated basic training in 2005. He also has numerous awards and honors as a student during his post secondary training. He is currently a staff physician at the General Leonard Wood Army Community Hospital in Ft. Leonard Wood, Mo. He was a trauma surgeon during his time in Afghanistan. He spent time as an emergency room physician at the Northeast Regional Medical Center in Kirksville, Mo., and also spent time as an emergency room physician at the Pershing Medical Center in Brookfield, Mo. Settles has also continued his medical education in the past few years. “We are very excited to have him here,” said Herzberg. “He will be a great addition to this hospital.” Herzberg is also excited about the possibility of gaining an additional physician from the Settles family. “Trina is certified as a family practice physician,” said Herzberg. “Right now she has no interest in starting a practice in Bloomfield. She wants to concentrate on the family and be a mother right now. Maybe in the future we can get her to change her mind, but for now we are just excited that they have decided to come to Davis County.” Herzberg said because of their military commitments, the Settles family will not be able to relocate to Bloomfield until later this year. “We have established a start date of Dec. 3 for him to begin his practice here,” said Herzberg. Settles will replace Dr. John Finneran who will retire from his general practice at the end of May. “Dr. Finneran has agreed to continue  performing some surgical procedures until Dr. Settles is able to relocate to Bloomfield,” said Herzberg.