AdventHealth has named the recipients of its Fall 2025 Pinnacle Awards for Physicians and Advanced Practice Providers. The awards are given to clinicians who show a strong commitment to whole-person care and uphold the organization’s mission in their work with patients, colleagues, and the wider community.
This year’s ceremony included AdventHealth Polk for the first time, alongside AdventHealth Hendersonville. The expansion highlights increased collaboration within the North Carolina Market and a shared focus on clinical quality and compassionate care.
The Pinnacle Awards were created by the AdventHealth North Carolina Market’s Clinician Well-being Committee, led by Byron Dixon, MD, MBA, FACHE, Chief Medical Officer for both AdventHealth Hendersonville and AdventHealth Polk. The awards honor physicians and advanced practice providers (APPs) who demonstrate excellence in Business & Quality, Culture, Resilience, and Peer Review.
“Our Pinnacle Award recipients reflect the heart of our mission,” said Dr. Dixon. “Their work is a daily expression of our commitment to whole-person care – body, mind and spirit. It is a privilege to recognize their contributions and to welcome our colleagues from AdventHealth Polk into this meaningful tradition.”
The Fall 2025 honorees are:
– Robert M. Wham, MD (Southeastern Orthopedics & Spine), recipient of the AdventHealth Hendersonville Pinnacle Physician Award
– Corey Anderson, PA-C (AdventHealth Medical Group Integrative Medicine at Medical Office Building), recipient of the AdventHealth Hendersonville Pinnacle Advanced Practice Provider Award
– George A. Azar, MD (AdventHealth Medical Group Orthopedics & Sports Medicine at Columbus), recipient of the AdventHealth Polk Pinnacle Physician Award
– Savannah Hightower, AGAC NP-BC (AdventHealth Cancer & Infusion Services Columbus), recipient of the AdventHealth Polk Pinnacle Advanced Practice Provider Award
Nominations came from peers, patients, and staff who recognized each winner’s dedication to clinical quality, ethical leadership, teamwork, resilience support, and well-being. The awards were presented during medical staff meetings in Fall 2025.
For more information about the Pinnacle Awards or future nominations, interested parties can contact the AdventHealth Hendersonville Clinician Wellness Committee at HVL.ClinicianWellnessCommittee@AdventHealth.com.
AdventHealth Orlando is located in Orlando, Florida. Founded in 1908, it operates as a training hospital with a pediatric ward under current president Terry Shaw.
