Dr. Jeffery Bass, emergency services director at Natividad Medical Center, has earned the Distinguished Service Award from the California Emergency Physicians Medical Group.

Bass, a partner in the group, was one of five physicians selected from more than 900 nationwide to receive the honor.

The award was in recognition for changes initiated by Bass and the Emergency Services team at Natividad Medical Center's emergency department that led to reduction in patient wait times and improved customer service.

Jerry Joseph, a physician assistant in the Natividad emergency department, also received a Distinguished Service Award in recognition of his clinical and teaching skills through Stanford University's physician assistant training program.

California Emergency Physicians Medical Group, founded in 1975, is a provider of physician staffing, management, and consulting services for 56 emergency department and ambulatory care practices in California, Oregon, Georgia and Arizona.