Dr. Zajac is a pediatrician who spearheaded the formation of Project Harmony—Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Diagnostic Clinic at Glencoe Regional Health Services.  This was a clinic which provided a thorough assessment of children who may have been exposed prenatally to alcohol.    Not only were there children diagnosed with FASD but there were others who may have received diagnoses such as ASD, ADHD, Depression.  The team consisted of a psychologist, family therapist, occupational therapist, speech therapist, social worker, and nurse.  Without his commitment to serving children and families in rural Minnesota, this clinic would not have happened.  It ran for approximately two years. Dr. Zajac had also been the participating pediatrician at the MCSHN clinic in Willmar. This clinic provided a thorough evaluation of children who have multiple issues or needs.

Dr. Zajac serves on the local child protection team.  He is also on a number of committees at Glencoe Regional Health Services:  immunization, physician compensation, PPD and a new medical practice one.  He is also medical director of rehab and the library.

When visiting with children who are patients of Dr. Zajac, they will often refer to him as “Dr. Bob,” doing so with a big smile on their face.  Families look to him for support and guidance.  Not only do families, but professionals look to him for support and guidance as well.

He is a physician who is open to referring patients/families to mental health resources in the community, whether it’s to the children’s mental health workers at the county level, psychologists, psychiatrists, neuropsychologists, or school social workers. He is seen by all as a team player when working with other professionals who work with children.

Dr. Zajac has spent time a number of evenings presenting educational workshops on ADHD, ASD, Sleep Disorders, Asthma, etc. to parents, professionals, and community members.  He was the presenter at the Project Harmony Pregnant Pause event in 2009.

He organized the Glencoe Regional Health Services Christmas tree lights program where a person can tune to a radio station in their vehicle and watch the tree lights dance to music!!  This is a project that benefits everyone’s mental healthJ  He has done this at his home in Waconia for a number of years as well.

Dr. Zajac is married to Julie and is the father of eight children (ages 17 down to almost 2).

All information about Dr. Zajac was taken directly from his award nominations

Outstanding Service Award Criteria To be nominated for this award, an individual must be recognized in several of these areas:

For Physicians

• Educating, training, motivating, and/or mentoring their peers in the health community
• Engaging in efforts that raise awareness about children’s mental health
• Advocating on behalf of children with mental health needs
• Developing and/or implementing innovative, successful methods of collaborating with those involved in the life of a child with mental health issues
• Engaging in research to address mental health issues as they apply to children