Shawnee Health’s Dr. Aaron Newcomb Named Physician Leader of the Year by ISMS
Carbondale, IL — Shawnee Health is proud to announce that Aaron Newcomb, DO, Family Medicine, has been named Physician Leader of the Year by the Illinois State Medical Society (ISMS). This distinguished award recognizes Dr. Newcomb’s outstanding leadership, dedication to patient care, and commitment to advancing access to care in southern Illinois.
Dr. Newcomb has been a cornerstone of Shawnee Health’s mission, leading innovative initiatives that improve care coordination, expand access for underserved populations, and strengthen collaborative practice among care teams. His passion for rural health and mentorship of emerging medical professionals has made a lasting impact within the organization and the broader community. ISMS recognized Dr. Newcomb for his extraordinary advocacy and leadership in patient-centered care, especially in addressing the opioid epidemic locally, state-wide and nationally.
When asked about the recognition, Dr. Newcomb stated, “I am humbled and honored to have received the ISMS Physician Leader of the Year Award for 2025. ISMS has been a steadfast ally and invaluable supporter as I lead efforts to drive cultural reform in healthcare around addiction and the responsible prescribing of controlled substances. To receive this honorable recognition is a profound gift—one that affirms my commitment to advancing patient-centered care that is guided by evidence but not constrained by arbitrary protocols. I am deeply grateful to all who support my advocacy work—especially my dedicated colleagues at Shawnee Health the board members of the Illinois Society of Addiction Medicine, and most of all, my wife, Kim Magwire, whose unwavering support has carried me through many difficult nights addressing various challenges and roadblocks along the way.”
The ISMS Physician Leader of the Year Award honors physicians who demonstrate exceptional leadership in healthcare delivery, advocacy, and community engagement. More information about the award and the full list of 2025 recipients can be found on the ISMS website.
“Dr. Newcomb lives the mission of Shawnee Health, enhancing lives by providing accessible and exceptional care to all. He is dedicated to responsible, quality care in all aspects and has transformed provider prescribing practices and addiction medicine services on a scale much larger than many may realize. Dr. Newcomb embodies the kind of compassionate, forward-thinking leadership that defines Shawnee Health. His unwavering commitment to our patients and his colleagues makes him a true asset not only to our organization, but to the entire southern Illinois region. We are incredibly proud to see his work recognized by ISMS.” -Christina Carney, CEO, Shawnee Health
Shawnee Health congratulates Dr. Newcomb on this well-deserved recognition as the 2025 Physician Leader of the Year.
Since its inception in 1971, Shawnee Health, as a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) has worked to improve the health and welfare of southern Illinois residents through the promotion, development and administration of quality, comprehensive health and social services. Shawnee Health believes that quality care is a right, and continuously strives to ensure that patients and clients receive the highest quality care without regard to age, race, religion, sex, residence, or ability to pay.
Media Contact:
Alex Hansen
Marketing and Recruitment Manager
Shawnee Health
(618) 956-9570
ahansen@shsdc.org