Licking Memorial Health Systems (LMHS) is pleased to announce that Mary Beth Hall, M.D., and
Thomas Hall, M.D., are the 2022 recipients of the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award.  The Halls have served the Licking County community since moving to the area in 1979.  The couple raised their son, Michael, and daughter, Jessica, in Newark.  They now have four grandchildren. 
 
“While Thomas and Mary Beth dedicated their lives primarily to healthcare, they demonstrate the LMHS mission to improve the health of the community by also willingly and generously supporting a variety of worthwhile community causes,” LMHS President & CEO Rob Montagnese shared.  “The couple have worked to enhance the arts and education, and champion social issues and concerns to better the community for all residents.”
 
Originally from Piqua, Ohio, Mary Beth received her medical degree from The Ohio State University School of Medicine.  Following a residency in family medicine at Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis, Indiana, she began practicing in Licking County and joined the Licking Memorial Hospital (LMH) Active Medical Staff in 1979.  She formed a private practice in 1981 that became Cherry Westgate Family Practice in 1988.  At the Hospital, she served on numerous committees and was named the 1998 Physician of the Year.
 
Mary Beth’s community involvement included serving on the Board of Directors for the Carol Strawn Center, Center for Alternative Resources/Drug Forum, and The Center for Balanced Living in Worthington.  She also is a former Board member for the Alzheimer’s Association of East Central Ohio, Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health (ADAMH) Board, and the Foundation for Hospice of Central Ohio.  Mary Beth was honored as the Licking County Humane Society Volunteer of the Year Award for her continued service on the campaign leadership team.
 
Thomas also began his professional experience at LMH in 1979 where he practiced Emergency Medicine in the LMH Emergency Department until 2000.  During his career, he served terms as Director of the LMH Emergency Department, Medical Director of Company Care, and Chief of Emergency Services.  In 2000, Thomas accepted a position as a consulting physician for Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield and then became the  Ohio Medical Operations Director for Anthem until he retired in 2016.
 
Thomas continues to serve as a member of the LMH Development Council on the Development Council Executive and Annual Support Committees.  He also continues to volunteer his time with Weathervane Playhouse Board of Directors, the YMCA Foundation Board, Newark Rotary, and Friends of Stone Laboratory, which offers opportunities to students who have an interest in science.  In the past, Thomas served as a Board of Education Member for Newark City Schools and the Licking County Joint Vocational School, and held several leadership positions for The Ohio State University Newark Campus Board of Trustees. 
 
The Lifetime Achievement Award was created in 1989 and is the highest award that LMHS confers each year and recognizes individuals for contributions that reflect LMHS’ mission to improve the health of the community.  Nominees must be of good moral character, show that their work has provided a better quality of life for Licking County citizens, and have provided strong leadership in more than one organization or activity.