2023 - Dr. Ivan Allen and Dr. Paul Jones, Atrium Health Navicent
Dr. Ivan Allen, president of Central Georgia Technical College (CGTC) in Macon and chairman for the Board of Trustees for Houston Healthcare and Dr. Paul Jones, president of Fort Valley State (FVSU) in Fort Valley and trustee at Atrium Health Navicent Peach, have each spearheaded initiatives that resulted in increased access to care in their communities and on their campuses.
Dr. Allen has served as president of CGTC since 2005, and, during his tenure, has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to improving students’ wellbeing. He helped establish a groundbreaking partnership with Atrium Health Navicent to provide on-campus student health clinics at CGTC, the first at any Georgia technical college. The clinics have helped expand access to care for students, faculty, and staff at CGTC’s campuses in Macon, Milledgeville, and Warner Robins. Through his leadership and planning health services are provided at no additional out-of-pocket expense for students.
Dr. Allen has also helped address the workforce shortage by supporting degree program partnerships with Atrium Health Navicent. The partnerships help train health care workers of the future while providing hands-on experience in clinical rotations. Dr. Allen also supported a tuition assistance program which offers students who are accepted into the program the opportunity to work part-time at Atrium Health Navicent while earning an associate degree in a health-related field of study.
As the president of FVSU, Dr. Paul Jones has worked to ensure the student experience is inclusive and supportive of student needs, including health care needs, which has resulted in increased retention and graduation rates. Like Dr. Allen, Dr. Jones worked to establish health clinics on campus for students, faculty and staff. Given that FVSU is in a rural area with limited transportation available, the clinics allow individuals more readily available access to health care and are a significant part of improving health equity. Importantly, the clinics also provided mental health services and support.
Also like Dr. Allen, Dr. Jones has helped address the workforce shortage, paving the way for a new nursing degree at the college offered in partnership with Atrium Health Navicent. Thanks to Dr. Jones’ efforts, FVSU will be able to train and produce qualified nurses to expand the nursing pipeline.
In thinking beyond traditional health care delivery and focusing on the overall well-being of the community, Dr. Allen and Dr. Jones have pursued a vision for a healthier and more inclusive community that will benefit students and the broader community for years to come.
Past Distinguished Service Award Winners
2022 - Dr. Anthony Parker, Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital
2019 - Sen. Dean Burke, Memorial Hospital and Manor
2018- Starr H. Purdue, Navicent Health
2017 - Charles Moore, M.D., Grady Health System
2015 - Don Thomas, M.D., Hamilton Medical Center, and William Pannell, M.D., Crisp Regional Hospital
2014 - Walter C. McNeely, Southeast Georgia Health System
2013 - Aretha Neal, Monroe County Hospital, and Lila Hertz, Piedmont Healthcare
2012 - Benjamin H. Underwood (Gold Honor Award of Excellence), Charles 'Pete' Wood, WellStar Health System, and W. Woodrow Stewart, Northeast Georgia Health System
2011 - A. D. 'Pete' Correll, Grady Health System
2010 - Leonard Fant, Hutcheson Health Foundation, and R. Lee Smith, Jr., University Hospital
2009 - Sen. Greg Goggans (R-7), Coffee Regional Medical Center, and Norman Morris, Upson Regional Medical Center
2008 - James Lanier Allgood, Jr., Fairview Park Hospital, and Richard B. Hubbard, III, Piedmont Atlanta Hospital, Inc.
2007 - Levi W. Hill, Augusta, and William Waters, III, M.D., Atlanta
2006 - H. Duane Blair, M.D., Decatur, and Eldred Tippins, Jr., Claxton
2005 - Romeo Adams, Royston, and Howard Stroud, Sr., Athens
2004 - David Apple, Jr., M.D., Atlanta, and Wayne T. Sikes, Lawrenceville
2003 - Robert L. Brown, Jr., Atlanta, and George Jeter, Columbus
2002 - James Floyd, Jr., Hinesville, and Judy McMahan, Decatur
2001 - Rosemary Evans, Forsyth, and Willie (Bill) H. Odom, Macon
2000 - William M. Huffman, Rome, and W. Harry Wilson, Albany
1999 - Frank S. Dennis, Jr., Augusta, and John B. Prince, III, Tifton
1998 - Clarence C. Butler, M.D., Columbus, and Damon D. King, Macon
1997 - Jeff Kinlaw, Alma, Edward D. Griffin, Sr., Columbus, and Pauline Channell Richardson, Greensboro
1996 - Charles B. Eberhart, Decatur
1995 - B. G. Early, Rome, and Harley Langdale, Jr., Valdosta
1994 - T. Richard Daniel, Augusta, and Hulett D. Sumlin, Atlanta
1993 - Edward C. Loughlin, Jr., M.D., Atlanta, and Perry G. Busbee, M.D., Cordele
1992 - Alana Smith Shepherd, Atlanta, and C. Jackson Bandy, Dalton
1991 - Harold Nichols, Blairsville, and Charles R. Underwood, M.D., Marietta
1990 - J. William Pinkston, Jr., Atlanta
1989 - J. N. Cook, DeSoto, and Richard L. Olson, Columbus
1988 - Richard E. Bird, Statesboro, and W. Carl Gordon, Jr., M.D., Albany
1986-87 - T. W. Lord, Jr., Marietta, and J. Roger Sumner, Rome
1985 - Frederick Higginbotham, Atlanta, and James P. Hollis, Newnan
1984 - William T. Barnes, Macon, and Charles Yager, Dahlonega
1983 - George M. Rooks, Jr., Hartwell, and Aldine Rosser, Statesboro
1982 - Jack Hughston, M.D., Columbus, and Edwin B. Peel, Atlanta
1981 - Norman Dorminy, Fitzgerald, and Byron L. Southwell, Tifton
1980 - Mary W. Schley, M.D., Columbus, and Charles D. Hudson, LaGrange
1979 - Harry W. Jernigan, Jr., Augusta, and Robert W. Woodruff, Atlanta
1978 - J. P. Turner, Jr., Dalton, and Samuel R. Hunter, Sr., Americus
1977 - John Holt Moye, Columbus, and William C. Wardlaw, Jr., Atlanta
1976 - Hugh B. Landrum, Jr., Columbus, and James R. Lientz, Savannah
1975 - Lucius H. Atherton, Sr., Marietta, and John W. Gates, Rome
1974 - Glenn M. Hogan, Atlanta
1973 - Carl T. Barrett, Canton, and J. W. Fanning, Washington
1972 - John Rufus Evans, M.D., Decatur, and Fuller E. Callaway, Jr., LaGrange
1971 - Harry H. Purvis, Cornelia, Judge B. B. Heery, Savannah
1970 - Louie D. Newton, Atlanta, and George Lamar Westcott, Dalton
1969 - Boisfeuillet Jones, Atlanta, and Elbert P. Peabody, Augusta
1968 - John A. Sibley, Atlanta, R. C. Williams, M.D., Atlanta, and Reuben G. Clark, Savannah