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It was pure serendipity that brought Dr. Don Penney to Gwinnett County.
A skilled neurosurgeon also trained in emergency medicine, Penney was securely ensconced at Chicago's busy Cook County Hospital - the same one featured prominently on the popular television series "ER." Still, something was missing.
I was looking for someplace warmer," the affable doctor conceded. So when the Toronto native came across a headhunter's flyer in 1993, he took a look. "I had never heard of Gwinnett County, but I took a Tuesday off and flew down here to talk to them."
The chemistry was right Penney liked what he saw, and Gwinnett Medical Center got itself a new doctor.
"We have a medical school professional teaching faculty member, board-certified in two specialties. That's a tremendous community resource," said Warren Davis, Gwinnett County's chief magistrate and a longtime Penney friend.
Penney is a finalist in the Physician category of Health-Care Heroes, an annual event sponsored by Atlanta Business Chronicle.
Penney's first goal was to help improve the county's trauma system. Its overburdened emergency rooms were frequently on "bypass," meaning incoming patients...