Murfreesboro, TN - Ascension Saint Thomas Rutherford Hospital is proud to announce its 2024 honorees for exceptional accomplishments in clinical leadership. The recipients, chosen for their outstanding contributions to patient care, leadership, and community service, include Dr. Olivia Granillo Johnson, named Physician of the Year; Dr. Wilson Clements, Dr. Aaron Hoffman, and Dr. Thomas Lind, recipients of the Clinical Excellence Award; and Drs. Russ and Sherry Galloway, were honored with the prestigious Dr. Olin Williams Distinguished Service Award.
Hospital Leadership Honors Clinical Excellence
“We are pleased to recognize these outstanding individuals for their consistent, exceptional, and personalized care,” said Gordon B. Ferguson, president and CEO of Ascension Saint Thomas Rutherford Hospital. “These servant leaders embody the mission of Ascension Saint Thomas, and we are privileged to serve our community alongside them.”
Award recipients were selected by their peers in the medical staff and hospital leadership, with consideration given to hospital tenure, leadership roles, board membership, and commitment to community service.
Dr. Olivia Granillo Johnson Named Physician of the Year
Dr. Olivia Granillo Johnson, a board-certified internal medicine and pediatric physician, has been named Physician of the Year. She serves as the Lead Hospitalist at Ascension Saint Thomas Rutherford Hospital, overseeing a team of more than 50 hospitalists who provide comprehensive medical care to hospitalized patients. Her leadership and dedication to delivering high-quality patient care have made a significant impact on the hospital and its patients.
Clinical Excellence Award Honorees
Dr. Wilson Clements, Dr. Aaron Hoffman, and Dr. Thomas Lind have received the Clinical Excellence Award for their pivotal roles in advancing heart care in the community. Dr. Clements and Dr. Hoffman, both board-certified cardiothoracic surgeons, and Dr. Lind, a board-certified cardiothoracic anesthesiologist, were instrumental in launching the open heart surgery program at Ascension Saint Thomas Rutherford Hospital. Their collaborative efforts have elevated the hospital’s ability to provide world-class heart care to local patients.
Drs. Russ and Sherry Galloway Receive Dr. Olin Williams Distinguished Service Award
Drs. Russ and Sherry Galloway have been honored with the Dr. Olin Williams Distinguished Service Award for their lifetime of service and leadership. Retired emergency medicine physicians, the Galloways dedicated 33 years to Ascension Saint Thomas Rutherford Hospital, contributing to a wide range of hospital committees and boards. Dr. Russ Galloway, a founding member of the Dispensary of Hope, played a critical role in creating a program that provides medication access to those in need. He also served as the medical director for Rutherford County EMS and the Murfreesboro Fire and Rescue Department for 25 years. Dr. Sherry Galloway has been a steadfast advocate for local charities, including the Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Center and the Child Advocacy Center. Their commitment to both the hospital and the community has left a lasting legacy.
Gordon B. Ferguson Receives Community Service Award
Ferguson was honored by receiving the 2024 Community Service Award. This award is a recognition presented to individuals for their outstanding contributions to the betterment of their community and celebrates acts that have positively impacted the lives of others. Ferguson, will be retiring in June from his current position after serving more than 26 years for the Murfreesboro hospital.
After retiring from the top leadership position, Ferguson intends to finish his hospital career by serving for one year as vice president of community relations.
About Ascension Saint Thomas
Ascension Saint Thomas is a leading health care system with a 125-year history of providing care to the community, and is the only faith-based, non profit health system in Middle Tennessee. Today, the health system offers a highly comprehensive system of care, with more than 250 sites of care that cover a 45-county area in Tennessee consisting of 16 hospitals and a network of affiliated joint ventures, medical practices, clinics and specialty facilities. Across the state, Ascension Saint Thomas and its partner organizations employ more than 13,000 dedicated associates who care for millions of patients each year. Ascension Saint Thomas is part of Ascension, one of the nation’s largest faith-based healthcare organizations committed to delivering compassionate, personalized care to all, with special attention to persons living in poverty and those most vulnerable. Ascension includes approximately 134,000 associates, 35,000 affiliated providers and 140 hospitals, serving communities in 19 states and the District of Columbia. Visit www.ascension.org.
