Dr. Ivan Allen, president of Central Georgia Technical College (CGTC) in Macon, chairman for the Board of Trustees for Houston Healthcare and a Navicent Health Foundation trustee, and Dr. Paul Jones, president of Fort Valley State University (FVSU) in Fort Valley and trustee at Atrium Health Navicent Peach, are joint recipients of one of the Georgia Hospital Association’s (GHA) highest honors, the Distinguished Service Award. The award was presented at the association’s annual Trustee Meeting on Saturday, Jan. 6, and recognized Dr. Allen and Dr. Jones each for spearheading 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 partnered with Atrium Health Navicent 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.

“The work and dedication of Dr. Allen and Dr. Jones has positively impacted the lives of countless students and community individuals,” said GHA President and CEO Caylee Noggle. “From addressing the health care needs of university students, staff, and faculty to implementing solutions aimed at solving Georgia’s acute health care workforce shortage, they are positively impacting access to quality health care for Georgians. Their service to their respective institutions, communities, and hospitals is worth honoring and they are most-deserving recipients of this award.”

The Distinguished Service Award is given annually to hospital trustees or community leaders who have made significant contributions to improving health care in Georgia. “Atrium Health Navicent is thankful for the partnership of Dr. Allen and Dr. Jones in helping to meet not just today’s health care needs, but in preparing our communities for the future,” said Atrium Health Navicent President Delvecchio Finley. “These college presidents are truly helping lead the way, and are very deserving of GHA’s Distinguished Service Award.”