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Trauma Care Doctor Who Treated Former Rep. Giffords Honored In Hometown

UNIONTOWN (KDKA) -- The doctor, who cared for former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords after she and others were victims of a 2011 shooting rampage in Arizona, is being honored back in his hometown of Uniontown.

Dr. Peter Rhee is one of eight people being inducted into the Laurel Highlands Life Achievement Hall of Fame this weekend.

He says back in high school, he didn't want to be a doctor.

"All I wanted to be was not a doctor," he explained because his dad was a doctor.

But now he is the chief of trauma care at a hospital in Tucson, Ariz.

When Giffords and other victims of the shooting spree were brought to the emergency room, he was in charge.

He says caring for all the victims was "easy" only because they practice for such events and because of his military background.

He says he's very "grateful" that Rep. Giffords survived and is doing as well as she is. Giffords led the Pledge of Allegiance at the Democratic National Convention Thursday.

Dr. Rhee says he's honored to be inducted in the Hall of Fame and loves seeing old friends. Jim Tobal taught him American History and says Rhee got very good grades.

The honorees will be officially inducted into the Hall of Fame on Saturday.

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