Northeast Georgia Veterinarian Wins 2017 Georgia Hospital Heroes Award

A Franklin County veterinarian is the recipient of the Georgia Hospital Heroes Award.

Dr. Leslie Fordham is a member of the St. Mary’s Sacred Heart Hospital Board of Directors in Lavonia.

She received the award November 9th at the Georgia Hospital Association’s annual Hospital Hero Awards luncheon in Atlanta.

Fordham, who was one of only nine individuals statewide to receive the award, was recognized for her work with the Outdoor Dream Foundation.

ODF is an organization that grants outdoor adventures to children who have been diagnosed with terminal or life-threatening illnesses.

An experienced hunter, Fordham began her involvement with ODF when she was asked to assist a terminally ill child whose dream was to go deer hunting in Wyoming.

“Leslie Fordham’s dedication to ensuring these patients can enjoy nature and truly focus on something other than their illnesses is very significant,” said GHA President and CEO Earl Rogers. “She has found a way to offer these patients time away from their daily troubles and is a most-deserving recipient of this award.”

“We are so proud of Leslie for being named one of Georgia’s Hospital Heroes,” said St. Mary’s Health Care System President and CEO Don McKenna. “Her energy, compassion, can-do spirit and knowledge of our community are a vital part of our successful efforts to continuously improve quality at St. Mary’s Sacred Heart Hospital. What’s more, she is a champion for children in the most stressful and vulnerable of circumstances. The time and compassion she gives to these kids and their families is priceless.”

A practicing vet for the past 27 years, Fordham owns the Comer Veterinary Clinic in Madison County.

She and her husband also own a 5th-generation cattle farm in the Sandy Cross area of Franklin County.

Dr. Fordham is also an adjunct professor of Agriculture at Emmanuel College in Franklin Springs.