Local doctors recognized for work and four more positive stories amid COVID-19.
During the coronavirus pandemic, Middle Georgia has witnessed several members of its community step up to help out in any way they can, and it is also nice to be reminded that good things are still happening in the community.
Doctors receive recognition, nonprofits are hosting event and students are receiving fellowships to travel the world.
Here is a list of the positive stories that have happened in Middle Georgia.
Georgia Trend named 28 Middle Georgia physicians as “Top Doctors”
Georgia Trend, a regional business publication, released its “Georgia Trend 2020 Top Doctors” listing, which included 28 doctors from The Medical Center, Navicent Health, according to a news release.
“We are honored to have so many of our world class physicians recognized by Georgia Trend. These physicians are not only impacting patient care directly, but many have leadership roles within our health system, and many are educating and training the next generation through our residency and fellowship programs. At Navicent Health, our goal is to ensure central Georgia is a healthcare hub, providing hope and healing for Georgians regardless of where they live. This recognition by Georgia Trend is evidence that we are achieving this goal,” said Ninfa M. Saunders, president and CEO of Navicent Health, in the release.
To view the full list of Navicent physicians who made the list, visit navicenthealth.org.
Bike Walk Macon hosts events for Macon Bike Walk month
Bike Walk Macon hosts Macon Bike Walk month every year in May, and this year they have several virtual events for bike enthusiasts.
- Commuter Conversations Over Coffee starts at 10 a.m. every Friday in May. Visit Bike Walk Macon’s Facebook event page for more information.
- They are hosting a Virtual Bike Party at 5:30 p.m. May 14. Bike Walk Macon is asking everyone who participates to post a video in their event page of their ride.
- Dsto Moore, a photographer in Macon, is creating a My Bike Macon photo series that will be added to every Tuesday and Thursday in May. To view the photo series, visit bikewalkmacon.com/mybike or Bike Walk Macon’s Facebook page.
- People can log their biking hours at lovetoride.net to participate in the month long Love to Ride: National Bike Challenge.
- Bike Walk Macon staff, board members and local community members will be posting videos of their walks, runs and rides throughout the month of May. People can watch on Bike Walk Macon’s Facebook page.
- Bike Walk Macon is partnering with Re-Cycle Macon to get people bikes they need during the coronavirus pandemic. Find out more at bikewalkmacon.com/bikematchmacon
Houston County High wins national and state FCCLA awards
Houston County High School’s Family, Career and Community Leaders of America chapter has received national and state awards, and students were elected to national and state positions, according to a news release.
The chapter received the National Families First Program award and the National Families Acting for Community Traffic Safety State-Level Program award. The school will receive $1,000 and a plaque for the National Families First Program award and $500 and a digital certificate for the FACTS award, according to the release.
The club also received the following state honors.
- State Chapter of the Year
- State Administrator of the Year Award - Karma Hayes
- State STOP the Violence National Program Award
- Honor Roll with Distinction Award
In addition, two students were elected as FCCLA officers. Brynley Jones, a rising senior, was elected as the Georgia FCCLA National Officer Candidate, and Maddy Hagemann, also a rising senior, was elected the State Vice President of Competitive Events.
Two Georgia College graduates receive 2020 Fulbright scholarships
Madison Graham and Amara Tennessee, two recent graduates from Georgia College, have been chosen to participate in the 2020 Fulbright U.S. Student Program, a prestigious program that receives around 12,000 applicants for 1,900 grants per year, according to a news release.
“These students represent the best and brightest at Georgia College, mentored by our amazing faculty and staff. It’s a true testament of their excellence that they’ve been recognized as Fulbright finalists,” said Costas Spirou, provost and vice president for Academic Affairs, in the release.
Graham, a music major, with do an English Teaching Assistantship in the Czech Republic, and Tennessee, a public health and world languages double major, will do an English Teaching Assistantship in Columbia.
Mercer students receive congressional internships
Three Mercer University students have received prestigious congressional internships.
Mercer University seniors Alyssa Fortner and Hinal Patel have been selected to take two of 15 Congressional Hunger Center Zero Hunger Internships, which is offered to students nationwide, according to a news release.
The Zero Hunger Internship allows students to gain experience in anti-hunger policy work in Washington, D.C., for 10 weeks, and this year’s internship will consist of nine weeks of remote work with the possibility of a one week training program in D.C., according to the release.
Mercer junior Danielle Countryman, a triple-major in global health studies, international affairs and anthropology, was also selected for the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Internship, which will be conducted virtually this year, according to a news release.
“As someone with interests in a lesser-discussed soft policy issue like health, it shocks me even more to have been accepted into this internship. I’m hoping to learn from, be counseled by and share information regarding the creation of health policy that is prospective and holistic rather than reactive,” Countryman said, in the release. “Although I wish the circumstances were different, I appreciate the opportunity to work alongside legislators as they respond to a pandemic. What we’re experiencing is the perfect demonstration of how health affects and is affected by other policy areas. I know that this experience will demonstrate the intricacies of health policy and be particularly valuable for those of us entering a health-related field.”