The Georgia Academy of Family Physicians (GAFP) has honored Georgia Sen. Ben Watson, M.D. (R-Savannah) with its Georgia Senate Legislative Champion of the Year Award for his strategic vision, exemplary leadership, and tireless efforts to improve health care in the state.
“Senator Watson has always had a reputation as being an unwavering and effective advocate for family physicians and our patients, but this was especially true in 2022,” says GAFP President Susana Alfonso, M.D. “He was at the forefront of efforts to increase Medicaid pay to adequate and sustainable levels, which means that Georgians in rural and underserved communities will have greater access to primary care.”
Dr. Alfonso also points out that, “GAFP members have an extra sense of pride because Senator Watson is a fellow primary care physician.”
And Dr. Alfonso concludes, “We all have more peace of mind – and a better quality of life – because of Senator Watson’s steadfast determination to do what’s right.”
In addition to chairing the Senate Health and Human Services Committee, Sen. Watson serves on the Senate Appropriations, Public Safety, and Transportation committees. It is also worth noting that he is an ex officio member of the Insurance & Labor and Veterans, Military & Homeland Security committees. After serving in the Georgia House of Representatives for four years, Dr. Watson was elected to the Georgia Senate in 2014.
Sen. Watson has been a primary care physician in Savannah since 1988. He practices internal medicine, specializing in geriatrics.
Sen. Watson and his wife, Bernice Watson, live on the Isle of Hope. She is a teacher with the Savannah-Chatham County Public School District. They have three sons.