DOWNEY -- Dr. Manuel Chon, an OBGYN, and Dr. Bala Venugopal, a pediatrician, have been named Attending Physicians of the Year. 

Both doctors practice out of Pioneer Medical Group's Downey office and are educators in PIH Health Hospital Downey's Family Medicine Residency Program.

The Attending Physician of the Year Award recognizes a rotation instructor that "offers the best training, insight, and mentorship to the residents."

The award is voted on by residents and interns. Dr. Chon was chosen by first-year interns, and Dr. Venugopal was chosen by second and third-year residents. 

"It is such an honor to receive this award," said Dr. Chon, who was recognized for the same honor in 2007. "Pioneer Medical Group doctors have been providing support to the PIH Family Medicine Residency ever since Pioneer Medical Group was founded, nearly 15 years ago.

"We recognize that these residents are the future -- the new generations of doctors in America. So it is important to train them well because someday they will be the doctors of our children."