FARMINGTON – Dr. Dale Bardo was recently presented the annual Community Health Leadership Award at Franklin Community Health Network’s annual meeting for “the quality care that he provided patients during the 30 years that he served the community.”

“Methodical. Deliberate. Caring. Thoughtful. Tireless. Unassuming,” said FCHN President Richard Batt in making the announcement. “These are words that come up when you ask someone to describe Dr. Dale Bardo, surgeon and primary care provider in this community from 1975 to 2006.”

“Dr. Bardo was the kind of provider that you don’t see much anymore. He was trained and skilled as a surgeon, who also provided primary care to his patients, even making house calls to patients well after they were the norm.

“Colleagues described him as one of the most dedicated and tireless providers they have known,” Batt said. “There was a time when Dr. Bardo and Dr. David Dixon were the only general surgeons covering this community, but you never heard a complaint from Dr. Bardo about the extent of his workload.”

Even since his retirement in 2006, Bardo has continued caring for those who need it. He devotes his medical skills and knowledge to international missions through his church in Wilton.

Franklin Community Health Network is an independent community health care network that includes Franklin Memorial Hospital, Pine Tree Medical Associates, Evergreen Behavioral Services, NorthStar EMS and the Healthy Community Coalition.

During the annual meeting, corporators representing towns in the health system’s service area heard presentations on the year’s accomplishments, approved nominations of board members and received an annual report. The presentation of the Franklin Community Health Leadership Award was a highlight of the meeting.

To receive an annual report, contact the community relations office at 779-2555 or 1-800-398-6031, ext. 2555. To learn more about the network, read the president’s report at www.fchn.org.