Best Doctor: James C. DeVore, MD

It only takes a short conversation with family practitioner Dr. James DeVore to understand why he has been voted Sonoma County's Best Doctor five years in a row.

The medical director of Annadel Medical Group in Santa Rosa, (part of the St. Joseph Medical System), DeVore received his medical degree from UC Irvine and has been board certified since 1978. That long tenure as a physician offers a perspective that younger doctors just don't have.

'In terms of style,' he said, 'I tend to veer away from the traditional roles of professional physician and patient. For me, it's more personal, a kind of partnership. I come from the old school, where the family doctor was always involved,' DeVore said. 'Health care today can be fragmented. Patients may see a doctor regularly in his office, but if they enter the hospital for surgery — or visit emergency or a skilled nursing facility — they'll have different doctors they may not even know. So when patients are at their most vulnerable, their family doctor is often not involved.

'I try to stay connected when patients need that support,' he said. 'It's difficult to do, because these days there's huge pressure on primary-care doctors to remain in the office.'

Married since 1973, DeVore, 66, has two children in their mid-30s and three grandchildren. In his spare time, he enjoys traveling and playing with his grandkids. A longtime marathon runner and triathlete, he also runs on trails (often at Annadel State Park), backpacks, plays golf, climbs and plays basketball in senior games each year.

'Exercise is a huge component of health,' he said. 'A natural part of my practice is talking to my patients about the value of exercise.'

Characteristically modest about being voted Best Doctor, DeVore said: 'I don't know about me being the best — there really are so many great doctors out there. But the contest is a fun thing, and it's very nice to feel so appreciated.'