FORKS — A doctor who has practiced family medicine on the West End for more than three decades has been named the state’s Family Physician of the Year.
Dr. Stephen H. Kriebel of Family Medical Center in Forks was presented a plaque for his dedication to family medicine by officials from Washington Academy of Family Physicians officials during a ceremony in Wenatchee on Friday.
Kriebel opened the medical clinic in July 1975 to serve residents from Neah Bay to Forks to the Hoh Reservation.
He became the only full-time physician in the community and replaced Dr. Edwin Liebold, who had been “the Forks doctor” since the 1950s.
Today, there are a handful of full-time physicians working in Forks.
Kriebel, 57, said he is honored to be recognized for his work.
“It is absolutely wonderful,” he said.
“I am honored and excited. It is a lovely reward for 30 years of work.”
Kriebel said physicians on the West End serve about 11,000 people in a 2,000-square-mile radius.
Hundreds of patients
The doctor said he was 29 years old when he started practicing in Forks and throughout the years has treated hundreds of patients.
Kriebel said practicing in a small town has allowed him to get to know many of his patients personally.
He has provided services ranging from removal of items children have placed in their ears to surgery for serious ailments.
