The Georgia Medical Society presented its 16^th Annual Health Care Heroes Awards on Tuesday, November 1. Organizations and individuals nominated heroes in six categories: health care innovation, health care education, community outreach, institution/organization, allied health professionals, and physician lifetime achievement.

“We are very proud of our winning physicians and Team Members. They have dedicated their careers to improving the health and well-being of our entire community. Their work not only benefits all of us today, it will also impact the next generation,” said Maggie Gill, president and CEO of Memorial Health.

The Health Care Hero award winners from Memorial Health were:

• Health Care Innovation: The Primary Care Accelerated Track Program, a collaboration between the Mercer University and the Memorial Health Family Medicine Residency Program.

• Health Care Education: Teen Drivers Program to educate new drivers and their parents about motor vehicle safety. 

• Community Outreach, two winners:

  • Jimmy Gordon, safety officer and regional emergency coordinator at Memorial University Medical Center.

  • Dwaine and Cynthia Willett, supporters of the Dwaine & Cynthia Willett Children’s Hospital of Savannah at Memorial University Medical Center.

• Institutions/Organizations: Infectious Disease Response Team at Memorial University Medical Center.

• Physicians Lifetime Achievement, two winners:

  • Carl Boyd, M.D., former trauma surgeon and leader of the Level 1 trauma center at Memorial University Medical Center.

  • Linda Sacks, M.D., former neonatologist and leader of the Level III neonatal intensive care nursery at Memorial University Medical Center.