CROWN POINT | Surrounded by relatives who are doctors, Brent Jacobus decided in the fifth grade he wanted to embrace the tradition.

Now, many years later, Jacobus is a physician-owner and medical staff president of Pinnacle Hospital, physician-owner of Winfield Family Practice, founder of a 10-year-old medical mission and recipient of the 2008 Volunteer Service Award given by President George W. Bush.

"I'll probably keep serving until I die," Jacobus said. "It's a lifestyle."

Jacobus has traveled the world with the medical mission Vital Injections, most recently heading to Mongolia to treat about 350 patients. But the reason for his recent national accolade is more local in nature.

In his 2002 State of the Union address, Bush issued a challenge to all Americans to make time to help their neighbors, communities and the nation through service. Jacobus and his partner, Dr. Brett Brechner, answered the call by spending hours providing ultrasounds for women at the Lake County Women's Center, which has locations throughout the region.

"I'm really honored to be commended by the commander in chief, but we would have done it anyway," Jacobus said.

Jacobus said all of his work has touched him, but in particular seeing the attitude of those he serves in other countries has opened his eyes.

"We have so much stuff, and we think that's what makes us happy, but these people with very little are the happiest people you'll ever meet," he said.