Joseph Hayes, MD, Designated Institutional Official and Internal Medicine Residency Teaching Clinic Medical Director at SGMC Health, was honored with the Early Career Physician Award by the American College of Physicians (ACP) Georgia Chapter. The award was presented at the annual ACP Georgia Conference held on October 25 in Atlanta.

Established in 2017, the Early Career Physician Award recognizes outstanding achievement by a physician member who is within 16 years of graduating medical school and who is not an ACP Medical Student Member or Resident/Fellow Member. Honorees are selected for excellence in leadership, academics—including publishing, teaching, and mentoring—and volunteerism.

A Valdosta native, Dr. Hayes earned his medical degree from Mercer University School of Medicine and completed his internship in internal medicine at Memorial Hospital University Medical Center. He currently serves as Associate Dean for the Mercer University School of Medicine (MUSM) Valdosta Campus and Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine at MUSM, in addition to his role as teaching faculty at SGMC Internal Medicine, the resident continuity clinic.

Over the past three years, Dr. Hayes has demonstrated exceptional leadership and a deep commitment to community engagement. Under his direction, SGMC Health’s partnership with MUSM has flourished. In 2025, the affiliated Internal Medicine Residency Program welcomed its fourth class of residents and launched its inaugural Transitional Year Residency. Following their success, a Family Medicine Residency Program will be introduced in 2026. Each program is a testament to Dr. Hayes’ vision and dedication.

"This award is truly a reflection of the collective effort behind SGMC Health’s residency programs," said Dr. Hayes. “Our faculty, staff, and partners at MUSM have worked tirelessly to create opportunities for future physicians. It’s rewarding to see what we can accomplish together for the benefit of our community.”

Dr. Hayes also contributes nationally as a peer reviewer for ACP’s Medical Knowledge Self-Assessment Program (MKSAP) and serves on the ACP Georgia Chapter’s Membership Committee. His academic work includes national and regional conference presentations, published medical content, and ongoing research focused on clinical education and systems-based care.

“Dr. Hayes is passionate about expanding healthcare access, developing future physician leaders, and strengthening community partnerships throughout Georgia,” said Pankaj Agrawal, MD, Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer at SGMC Health. “His contributions to medical education and his leadership within SGMC Health and MUSM are truly inspiring, and he is certainly deserving of this recognition.”

To learn more, visit sgmc.org.