Thomaston, GA -- Each year the Georgia Hospital Association recognizes and honors two Georgians who have made outstanding contributions to health care.  Each year, an anonymous committee, appointed by the GHA Chairman, scours through nearly 100 applications to select only those who exemplify the nomination’s criteria.

The recipient must be a recognized leader in the community and his own profession; has contributed time and talent to bettering the hospital and other health care services in the community; has brought about specific and positive changes that have advanced healthcare services in the community; and has increased public attention for health care needs of the community and has created public concern for meeting those needs.

Upson’s Mr. Norman Morris is selected as one of the recipients of GHA Distinguished Service Award for 2009. In a letter of notification, GHA president Joe Parker wrote, “Mr. Morris’ is an individual most deserving of this statewide recognition,” and we certainly agree.

Inspired by the hospital’s founders, Norman Morris’ service to Upson Regional Medical Center is evidenced by his visionary leadership and loyal commitment to the community it serves said CEO David Castleberry.  “Upson has a long history of sound decision making that puts it in the sound financial position we have today.  It is clear Mr. Morris has played and continues to play a pivotal role in critical decisions that are cornerstones of Upson Regional’s success.” 

In the 60s, Morris was active in recruiting and retaining a strong base of specialists to serve the hospital and community.  Having specialists in surgery and urology as assets in such a small, rural town was not common in the 1960s and is not common today.  The work Mr. Morris helped lead physician recruitment nearly 50 years ago is a foundation for Upson’s scope of services today.

Morris saw the board and community through to a broader vision and service area.   Upson General was granted in the early 1990s Regional status, which opened the door to an expansion of services in neighboring counties.  The expansion includes clinic and outpatient services in Pike, Meriwether, and Lamar counties.

Most recently, Morris has seen the hospital through a three-year, $20 million renovation to better meet the needs of its outpatients and focus on wellness as a key component of community success.  He served as Finance chair for more than a decade and now serves as Chairman of the hospital board. 

Dr. Ralph Warnock said, “We all benefit from Norman’s historical and visionary perspectives.”

Morris’ story is one of a local-boy, done-good.  Born and raised in Thomaston, Ga., for 20 years the Auburn graduate worked his way up with diligence, innovation and passion to serve as General Manager for one of the town’s mills.

His influential role contributed to his appointment to two statewide textile boards, and the County Commission’s decision to recruit him to the hospital board, where Morris served with two of Upson General’s founders, and subsequently became infected with a passion for keeping and growing the then 16 year-old hospital.

From the onset of his career, Morris embraced change and education as critical ingredients needed to advance his industry and his community.

“Throughout his career and service, Norman Morris exemplifies the definition of leadership,” Warnock said.  “In all of his works, he energetically seeks the best information need to fuel a longer-view and vision for continued growth and prosperity for the community and the hospital.”

In addition to his service to Upson Regional, Morris is active in First Baptist Church, the local arts council, the chamber of commerce and the industrial development authority.

“He embraces the tremendous responsibility of making decisions that affect the lives of so many,” said Warnock. “And. I am most pleased my most deserving neighbor and friend is selected for this honor.”

Morris received the award in Atlanta on February 4 at GHA’s annual conference.