Doctor keeps practice, prices old-fashioned

RUSHVILLE, Illinois (NBC) -- At 87-years-old Dr. Russell Dohnar still serves this rural community some 250 miles south west of Chicago.

“I come every day for a while even on Sundays I come here before I go to church,” said Dohnar.

He's delivered more babies than there are people in this town of just over 3,100.

“Well I met Dr. Donhar when i was born i guess. I don't really remember it but i'm sure he does,” said Mrs. Stambaugh, laughing.

Every morning he heads to the local hospital to do his rounds before settling in at the storefront doctors office he's operated since 1955.

“He delivered my daughter and my first granddaughter,” said one of his patients.

Another said, “My mom brought me here,” just as she brings her daughter there.

There are always patients in the waiting room no appointment necessary.

“He's a one of a kind. There's never be another one like this,” said Carey,

Things are still done the old fashioned way. Records are kept on thousands of cards in filing cabinets along the wall.

When asked where he keeps his computer, Dohnar answered, “Far, far away. Never had one.”

There something else old fashioned too, the price of a visit.

“I always felt it was all right to just charge 5 dollars,” said Dr. Dohnar.

Just $5, raised from $2 two several years ago.

For as long as Doctor Dohner's been in Rushville the pharmacy down the block has stayed open until it gets a call saying he's seen his last patient of the day.

When asked if he ever takes a day off, Dr. Dohnar paused, then answered, “Well no, I really haven't.”

However, the office closes at noon on Thursdays.

“We have for fifty some years.”

No worries, if you need the doctor, chances are you’ll be able to find him.

F you have an emergency the doctor would tell you to just come in the back door and he’ll check out what’s going on.

“They consider me an old country doctor...and there's nothing wrong with that,” said Dr. Dohnar.

An old country doctor, who, if you're in a pinch, will even make a house call, and there really is nothing wrong with that.