(3/17/11) – Edward Behling, M.D., of Medical Plaza Family Medicine has been awarded the annual South Carolina Physician Award for Outstanding Service by the state Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC).

"Dr. Behling has partnered with DHEC since early in his medical career when he began seeing patients referred to him by the health department," said DHEC Commissioner Earl Hunter. "More recently, his practice was the first in the area to work with us to increase the region’s level of pandemic flu preparedness."

According to Hunter, Medical Plaza Family Medicine was an early provider of the H1N1 vaccine and treated many patients during the response.

"Dr. Behling’s interest in public health and his influence on his staff and colleagues regarding its importance is evident in how quickly his practice responds to public health issues like disease outbreaks," Hunter said. "During a recent outbreak of whooping cough that involved several Florence schools, he handled a large number of the cases. And throughout that response, his ongoing communication with DHEC and the community helped to lessen the impact and spread of this disease."

Hunter said the criteria for the award include length of service, personal qualities, and accomplishments or activities that are consistent with outstanding service by a physician.

Dr. Behling is a board certified family medicine physician, and cares for patients at Medical Plaza Family Medicine, a McLeod Physician Associates practice. He received his medical degree from the Medical University of South Carolina and completed a family medicine residency at McLeod Regional Medical Center.