Longtime Nevada City physician Scott Kellermann, MD, has received one of the highest honors bestowed by Rotary International, the Rotary “Service Above Self” award for exemplary humanitarian service.
Dr. Kellermann, a member of the 49er Breakfast Rotary Club of Nevada City, received the award on Saturday night (May 19) at the Rotary District 5190 Conference attended by several hundred people at John Asquaga’s Nugget in Sparks, Nevada. The award was presented by Jerry Hall, past vice president of Rotary International.
Since 2001, Dr. Kellermann and his wife, Carol, have served as medical missionaries in Uganda, Africa, where they have significantly improved the health of the local Batwa pygmy population.
In 1993, the Batwa had been displaced when their tribal forest became a World Heritage site for the protection of mountain gorillas. The Batwa would soon become one of the most impoverished peoples in the world.
Dr. Kellermann, who gave the conference keynote address, traced his involvement in Uganda, from living and working in tents, to building a 112-bed hospital, schools and water and sanitation projects. The Kellermann Foundation has received local and international Rotary support.

Click to hear Scott Kellerman
“There is no one more deserving of this most prestigious Rotary International Award than Scott,” said Larry Meek, president of the 49er Breakfast Club of Nevada City. “I speak on behalf of my fellow 49er Rotary members when I say we are proud that one of our own was chosen.
“Scott, with the help of his wife, Carol, is an inspiration to Rotarians worldwide. His perseverance and dedication to this successful humanitarian effort has received the recognition it deserves.”
A longtime family practitioner in Nevada City and a former chief of staff at Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital, Dr. Kellermann continues to travel to Uganda, provide medical care and raise funds for the Batwa population. Over the years, his efforts have served more than 100,000 people.
Rotary International is a worldwide organization of business and professional leaders that provides humanitarian service and encourages high ethical standards in all vocations. District 5190 represents 54 Rotary clubs in Northeastern California and Northern Nevada. In western Nevada County, there are five Rotary Clubs with over 250 members.

Local Rotary Clubs Recognized
Nevada County’s Rotary clubs fared well at the May 18-20 district conference. Here are the awards they received:

Small Size Club, International Service – Penn Valley
Medium Club, International Service – Nevada City
Large Club, New Generations Service – Grass Valley

Avenue of Service – Project of the Year
Small Size Club, Club Service – Nevada County South
Medium Club, New Generations Service – Nevada City
Large Club, International Service – Nevada City 49er

Rotarians At Work
Small Club – Nevada County South
Large Club – Grass Valley
Best Bulletin
Large Club -Nevada City 49er Breakfast

Highest Attendance
Small Club – Nevada County South
Large Club – Nevada City 49er Breakfast

Foundation – Annual Giving Program Per Capita
Large Club – Nevada City 49er Breakfast

Foundation – Total Giving Per Capita
Large Club – Nevada City 49er Breakfast