Phoebe Honors Cynthia Merchant with Lemuel Griffin Community Service Award

Albany, GA | July 18, 2025 – A community servant who has spent much of her life working to improve the health and wellbeing of people in the Albany area was honored by Phoebe with the Lemuel Griffin Community Service Award at a ceremony Thursday evening on Phoebe’s main campus.  Cynthia Merchant is the second recipient of the award Phoebe created to honor the late Lem Griffin, a longtime chair of the Phoebe Putney Health System (PPHS) Board of Directors.

“Like Lem, Cynthia has an impressive decades-long record of community service, and she truly embodies his spirit of service above self.  Our awards committee reviewed some outstanding nominations, but Cynthia certainly stood out as a deserving recipient of this prestigious recognition,” said Bruce Melton, PPHS Board Chair.

For the last seven years, Merchant has served as CEO of Horizons – South Georgia’s Cancer Coalition, leading the organization’s work to provide uninsured and underprivileged residents of southwest Georgia access to cancer screenings, education, treatment and other resources.  Merchant also founded the anti-poverty organization Strive 2 Thrive and has a long history of civic involvement, serving as chair of the Albany-Dougherty Economic Development Commission, sitting on the boards of multiple nonprofit organizations and being actively involved with the Albany Area Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club and Charity League.  She was also the first woman elected to serve on the Lee County Commission.

“Cynthia is a shining example of living your life in constant service to others and placing the needs of others ahead of your own.  Cynthia has a vision not only for today, but a vision for the future,” said Ashley Heredeen, the Quality Assurance Coordinator at Horizons who nominated Merchant for the award.

The intent of the Lem Griffin Community Service Award is to honor one individual each year for their lifetime of volunteerism and service.  Each honoree should have made an uncommon impact on southwest Georgia by serving with purpose, solving pressing problems and acting with utmost integrity.  The recipient should embody core values that made Griffin the man he was – including generosity, resourcefulness, vision, selflessness, caring and concern.

“It is such an honor to receive this award from both Phoebe and the Lem Griffin family.  Phoebe Putney encouraged and allowed me to learn about community service firsthand during my career there.  For that, I will be forever grateful.  Lem exemplified selfless giving, integrity, impeccable leadership and all outstanding qualities of leadership,” Merchant said.

The award comes with a $10,000 donation made by Phoebe in honor of the recipient to the nonprofit of their choice.  Merchant chose Horizons.

“We’re pleased to invest in our community by supporting the causes that are close to the hearts of the Lem Griffin Award winners.  Phoebe has had a long and productive partnership with Horizons, and we know the organization will use this donation to help reduce the devastating impact cancer has on our community,” said Scott Steiner, PPHS President & CEO.

Nominations for the 2025 Lemuel Griffin Community Service Award are now open.  To nominate a deserving community servant, go to www.phoebehealth.com/lemgriffinaward.