Georgia Trend Magazine recently named four Georgia physicians and one hospital administrator as the 2008 Georgia Health Care Heroes. These individuals were recognized as spending time beyond the call of duty to make health care in their communities better. Local hospital administrator Raymond Moreno, vice president of medical affairs for Tift Regional Medical Center, was among those named.

“Dr. Moreno has a passion for migrant health and education.” said Chris Efaw, director of outreach and development for TRMC, who submitted Moreno’s name for recognition.

When he was a child, Moreno’s family migrated between Florida and Texas harvesting crops. Because of this, Moreno has spent his career trying to provide the migrant community with available health care and higher education.

“I want those who want an education to get it and to make health care available to anyone who needs it.” Moreno said.

Moreno and his wife, Kathy, have helped to establish a migrant scholarship at ABAC and he also sits on ABAC’s committee for the Goizueta Foundation Scholars Fund which awards scholarships to students of Hispanic/Latino descent. Moreno helped convince the Goizueta Foundation to include ABAC as one of their participating colleges.

He was also instrumental in establishing South Georgia’s migrant clinic. Moreno was practicing internal medicine when he saw a need for improved access to migrant health care. He worked with TRMC and the Tift County Health Department to get grants and open a migrant clinic.

Efaw said the clinic was established in Tifton and Moreno and one other physician were the clinic’s volunteer practitioners for the four years that the clinic was in Tifton. It still serves South Georgia migrants today. 

“Since the clinic was established it has improved access to health care for migrant workers and has taken pressure off of the emergency rooms by helping the patients deal with chronic health problems before they get too bad,” said Efaw.

Moreno will also be saluted by Georgia Hospital Association’s Health Care Hero award this Dec. 2 at a special ceremony in Atlanta. He will be one of 11 healthcare professionals honored from around the state. 

To contact reporter Chivaun Perez, call 382-4321.By Chivaun Perez

chivaun.perez@gaflnews.com

TIFTON — Georgia Trend Magazine recently named four Georgia physicians and one hospital administrator as the 2008 Georgia Health Care Heroes. These individuals were recognized as spending time beyond the call of duty to make health care in their communities better. Local hospital administrator Raymond Moreno, vice president of medical affairs for Tift Regional Medical Center, was among those named.

“Dr. Moreno has a passion for migrant health and education.” said Chris Efaw, director of outreach and development for TRMC, who submitted Moreno’s name for recognition.

When he was a child, Moreno’s family migrated between Florida and Texas harvesting crops. Because of this, Moreno has spent his career trying to provide the migrant community with available health care and higher education.