Lake Bluff Man Named National Doctor of the Year

Scott Zeller, MD, a long-time resident of Lake Bluff and 1978 graduate of Lake Forest High School, has been named the National Doctor of the Year by the National Council for Behavioral Health.

Zeller was referred to as “inspiring, selfless, dedicated, and patient driven” during an April awards ceremony often known as the “Oscars of Mental Health.”

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He was named Doctor of the Year, given annually to an individual who has achieved a lasting impact on patients and inspiring and improving lives, for his groundbreaking work in revolutionizing emergency healthcare worldwide. His contributions continue to advance Psychiatric Emergency Services with a clinical framework now known as the Alameda Model. The protocols of the Model have reduced delays to psychiatric care by more than 80 percent and unnecessary hospitalizations by more than 75 percent by delivering timely, quality care.

In May, Zeller was awarded an additional honor, the Garland “Bo” Holloman, JR. MD award for Outstanding Achievement in Advancing Emergency Psychiatry. The Holloman award recognized Zeller’s years of service and especially for his advocacy of patients and the profession, as well as his outstanding work with Project BETA and the now internationally known Alameda Model.

“It’s been quite a year. It is deeply humbling to be honored by my colleagues,” Zeller said following receiving awards in back-to-back months.

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