Monica Newton, DO, founding program director of the Family Medicine residency program at Northeast Georgia Medical Center (NGMC), has been elected President of the Georgia Academy of Family Physicians (GAFP).

GAFP is the Georgia chapter of the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), with a mission to promote the health of Georgians and advancing the specialty of family medicine through education, advocacy, and service.

Dr. Newton’s appointment reflects her longstanding dedication to medical education and community health. As a leader in family medicine, she has played a pivotal role in shaping the next generation of physicians through her work at NGMC and her involvement with GAFP.

“To be selected as president of the GAFP is a great honor,” said Dr. Newton. “The dedication of the academy to the health of Georgians has been critical in advancing the role that family medicine physicians play throughout the state. I look forward to doing everything I can to strengthen the collaboration and efforts of the academy.”

Dr. Newton began her medical journey at Auburn University and earned her degree from Midwestern University in Chicago, where she served as national president of the Student Osteopathic Medical Association. She completed her Family Medicine residency at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, earning a Master of Public Health in International Health.

Driven by a commitment to underserved communities, Dr. Newton taught at UAB-Selma while completing fellowships in obstetrics and underserved medicine. She founded the award-winning “Family Doc in a Bus” free clinic, supported by grants from the Alabama Department of Public Health and FEMA. Her leadership extended to public service as a Selma City Council member and regional vice president of the Alabama Academy of Family Physicians.

After 11 years as an associate professor, Dr. Newton joined Northeast Georgia Physicians Group in Gainesville, Georgia. In 2019, she was named founding program director of the Family Medicine residency program at NGMC, which is now home to 36 residents.

“GAFP is honored to welcome Dr. Monica Newton as our incoming president,” said Helen Sairany, executive vice president of the GAFP. “Dr. Newton brings a deep commitment to patient-centered care, medical education and advocacy for family medicine across Georgia. Her vision and leadership will guide GAFP as we continue to strengthen our specialty, support our members and advance access to high-quality primary care for every community in our state.”

Dr. Newton will start her presidential term for GAFP on November 15.

Learn more about NGMC’s residency programs at ngmcgme.org. Learn more about the GAFP at gafp.org.