Family Medicine Physicians win Top Award

October 25, 2022

Congratulations to Dr. Newton and Dr. Le Church, who were honored with two of the highest honors given by the Medical Association of Georgia (MAG) on October 22, 2022 at their annual House of Delegates in Savannah.

MAG honors four physicians and one non-physician for their contributions to the state and medicine annually. Dr. Newton was given the Lamartine Hardman Cup, an award named for Lamartine Hardman, M.D. – who was Georgia’s governor from 1927 to 1931 and was a successful physician, entrepreneur and farmer from Jackson County. Since 1931, the award honors physicians who solve a problem in public health or make a discovery in surgery or medicine or a contribution to the science of medicine as well.  The association sited Dr. Newton’s commitment to “improving the health of the community” through public health and educating the future generations of physician leaders to solve community problems as a milestone to be recognized.

Dr. Newton was the first Family Medicine physician to receive this honor, the first osteopathic physician to receive the Cup, and one of a handful of female physicians.

Dr. Samuel Le Church, Northeast Georgia Medical Center (NGMC) Family Medicine Residency faculty, and practicing family physician from Hiawassee, was given the Physician Award for Community Service. His significant work in the medical coding work, his pioneering COVID vaccine clinics and lifelong service to the northeast Georgia region were highlighted.

Congratulations to you both for being honored and thank you for making northeast Georgia a healthier community!

To learn more about the Family Medicine Residency program at NGMC, visit https://www.ngmcgme.org/programs/family-medicine/