Many doctors are relying more now on physician's assistants to help manage patients and give more personal care. Thursday, we spoke with a local woman who can now say she is the best P.A. in the state.

She says she wouldn't want to do anything else, and that she loves the community. Nicole Manning received the Physician's Assistant of the Year award for the State of Idaho, and it came as a big surprise.

Nicole Manning, award recipient: "We were at a physician assistant conference at Sun Valley, and after the conference part was over, there was a reception and they actually surprised me by tell me I received the award then."

She was nominated for the award by two of her co-workers. They said she was their first choice to receive this honor.

Mark Mansfield, nominated Nicole for the award: "She came into our office as a student and she was great to work with. She has been here for several years now, and she seems to just get better and better."

Nicole has worked with the company for over 7 years now. She is a mother of two, and received her degree from Idaho State University. She says one of the most rewarding parts of her job is getting the opportunity to help members of the community.

Nicole Manning, award recipient: "It's wonderful to see the improvement in health care, to be able to improve the health of the patients, and to really make them feel better."

And the doctors say when a patient is receiving care from Nicole, they know they are taken care of.

Rich Mayherd, nominated Nicole for the award: "I know when a patient is seeing Nicole that, one, they are getting as good or better care than either of us can provide, and that they are getting the best care possible."

Along with her long list of achievements, Nicole also volunteers at the Pocatello Free Clinic.