From Staff Reports
Dr. Kay Crosby, founder of the Coweta Samaritan Clinic, was named the 2018 Coweta County Citizen of the Year Thursday night at the Newnan Centre.
The Kiwanis Clubs of Coweta County presented the 27th Annual Citizen of the Year as Crosby was selected from a group of eight nominees. She was announced as Citizen of the Year by the 2017 recipient Tamarkus Cook.
Other nominees were Nelda Boren, Christi Estes, Ginger Queener, Garnet Reynolds, Shelly Smith, David Watts and Angie Whitlock. The winner was selected by a Selection Committee comprised of past Citizen of the Year winners.
The Coweta Samaritan Clinic brings quality health care and compassionate support to the uninsured and medically under served in Coweta County. Presently, Crosby serves the clinic as a volunteer physician, medical director and chairman of the board. She has also participated in 10 mission trips to Mexico, administering health care to local communities there.
Crosby told the capacity crowd that the award was more about the Samaritan Clinic than about her.
“I just appreciate it so much,” said Crosby. “I do feel like this is really a celebration of the Samaritan Clinic and not Kay Crosby. And all those that have contributed.”
“It’s all those that dreamed it into existence. It’s our amazing board of directors, it’s our cheerful, faithful volunteers that show up every week to help us take care of our patients. It’s our divinely placed group of employees that all started as volunteers. It’s our amazing medical community that helps us take care of our patients and our amazing community at large that helps support the mission work of the clinic.’
She also talked about preparing for her role with the Samaritan Clinic for many years.
“I love how God uses ordinary people to carry out His purpose in the world,” Crosby said. “I’m so thankful that He invited me to be part of His plan to create the Coweta Samaritan Clinic. And I just feel like He’s been preparing me for it all of my life. I have been the blessed one. I’ve been the one that’s has had my eyes opened to so many wonderful things.”
Nancy Walden of the Newnan Kiwanis Club was the emcee of the event. Andy Miller, chairman of the Newnan-Coweta Chamber, spoke about how service-oriented each of the nominees were and a film tribute produced by Michael Britt with comments from former winners was shown to the audience.