Washington was recently lucky enough to have two young doctors relocate here from Kansas, but they already had local ties.

Jason and Amy Campbell recently set up shop in the Cullen Medical Building. Amy is the daughter of Dr. Steve and Sharon Cullen and grew up exposed to the medical field since her father worked as a family physician and her mother as a nurse. She was intrigued by the miraculous intricacy of the human body and she admired the way her dad served others and built relationships with his patients and desired to do the same herself.

Amy graduated from Washington High School and attended the University of Evansville where she received her Bachelor’s Degree in Biology. She then attended medical school at Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences College of Osteopathic Medicine. Jason attended Lakeland High School in Dallas, Texas, and then received his Bachelor’s Degree in Biomedical Engineering from Texas A&M; University where he also attended Medical School.

Jason was first interested in medical school as a senior in college near the completion of his engineering degree as he felt the calling away from bio-prosthetic limb design and towards a profession that allowed more direct interpersonal relationships with others. He had personally experienced excellent medical care growing up through the treatment of several sports injuries and realized the importance of compassionate medical care.

They met in Wichita, Kansas, at their family medicine residency training program at Via Christi Family Medicine Residency. They spent a significant amount of time getting to know each other during the demanding work hours as young resident physicians. It was during this time that their interest in each other first sparked. Many fellow residents and faculty recognized the strong attraction taking place between the two of them. They also had many interests outside of medicine that helped them grow together as a couple. They were married April 28, 2007, in an outdoor ceremony at the French Lick Springs Resort in French Lick.

They reviewed and considered many different types of job opportunities and were excited about the opportunity to serve in Washington for many reasons. For Amy, not only was it an opportunity to work alongside her father who she greatly admires and respects but also the ability to return home to a community that had given her so much while growing up. Spending almost his entire life in larger cities, Washington offered Jason something he had always wanted- the opportunity to serve in a small, close-knit community.

Jason has thoroughly enjoyed Washington during his first few months- especially the opportunity to escape the busy and chaotic city life and enjoy the beauty and openness of the land, including riding ATVs with his nephews and bicycling with Amy. He is also impressed with the friendliness of the people in the community.

Besides bicycling, the couple enjoys a multitude of activities including hiking mountains, gardening, traveling and cooking. They have both participated in medical mission trips with Jason in China and Amy in the Dominican Republic and even served together earlier this year for a month on a medical mission trip to a hospital in Belize serving the local people.

Jason enjoys technology and holds a Mobile Electronics Certified Professional (MECP) license. He also spends time designing and repairing computer systems and automobiles, especially Jeeps. Jason said he “is both thankful and amazed at how Washington as a community continues to graciously welcome him.”

Amy is a fitness enthusiast and holds certification as a Fitness Instructor. She also enjoys many forms of endurance sports and training and has completed several half- marathons, currently training for a full marathon this spring in San Diego. Amy said she “feels so blessed to have been given the opportunity to return to the wonderful community of Washington and be able to serve the community which gave so much to me growing up.”

Jason and Amy both said they are very excited to go to work every day as the staff at Cullen Medical have welcomed them into their family.

Dr. Cullen and Sharon Cullen were very excited also to have Amy come back home.

“After being out of town for eleven years, what a blessing it is to have not only our daughter but a son-in-law as well, return to Washington and come into the practice at Cullen Medical,” the Cullens said. “A mother and a father’s heart’s desire is to have their children near them. We know they will be an asset to our community.

“It is a testiment to Washington and Daviess Community Hospital that two outstanding young doctors would want to come and practice. We look forward to working with them in the coming years and they look forward to serving the community.”

Both of the doctors can be reached by calling the Cullen Medical Clinic at 254-4650.