MACON, Ga. — Mercer University School of Medicine (MUSM) has named Edwin Grimsley, M.D., MACP, the 2026 Sandra Dunagan Deal Rural Service Fellow. The award, presented on Sept. 30 during the Nathan Deal Scholars Luncheon, recognizes Dr. Grimsley’s extraordinary contributions to mentoring and inspiring future physicians to serve rural underserved communities in Georgia. The award was presented by MUSM’s dean, Jean Sumner, M.D., MACP.
Grimsley is board certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine and was in private practice in Bainbridge for several years before joining the medical faculty at Memorial Health University Medical Center in Savannah in 1992. Grimsley was a charter member of the School of Medicine faculty at Memorial Health University Medical Center, where he led the internal medicine department until 2003, when he moved to the Macon campus. He served in numerous leadership positions in MUSM’s internal medicine residency programs in both Savannah and Macon, shaping MUSM’s graduate medical education programs. In 2017, Grimsley was named the inaugural senior associate dean on MUSM’s Macon campus, a role which he filled until 2025 when he rejoined the faculty.
“I commend Dr. Grimsley’s unwavering commitment to excellence,” said Sumner. “His experience as the first Macon campus dean has served MUSM well in guiding and assuring continuity. He is one of the finest people and physicians I have ever had association with, and we are deeply grateful for his leadership, dedication and lasting impact on our community.”
Grimsley has won numerous teaching awards from both residents and medical students. In 1996, he was awarded the J. Willis Hurst Outstanding Bedside Teacher Award as the outstanding medical educator in the state by the Georgia Chapter of the American College of Physicians (ACP). At the time, he was the youngest recipient of this award. He is a member of the Arnold P. Gold Foundation and was awarded the Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine Award in 2006. In 2013, he received the Laureate Award from the Georgia Chapter of the ACP and was awarded Mastership in the ACP in 2016.
“I am totally humbled and honored to win this award,” said Grimsley. “Mrs. Deal’s commitment to service and education is an inspiration to me and to win this award named after her is an extraordinary privilege for which I am grateful.”
A native of Bainbridge, Grimsley graduated from Bainbridge High School, Bainbridge State College and the University of Georgia, earning a Bachelor of Science in pharmacy. He earned his M.D. from the Medical College of Georgia and completed his residency at Memorial Health University Medical Center in Savannah, where he also served as chief resident.
Grimsley is married to Peggy Grimsley, a native of Jesup, and they have two children.
The Sandra Dunagan Deal Rural Service Fellow award was established by MUSM in September 2022 to honor the former first lady of Georgia and her lifelong commitment to education, volunteerism and community involvement. This award recognizes a faculty member, community partner or volunteer who has made significant contributions to mentoring, inspiring and encouraging Mercer medical students to care for Georgians in rural underserved areas. Each year, Nathan Deal Scholars select a recipient who exemplifies Sandra Dunagan Deal’s selfless devotion, love for education and promotion of excellence.
Sandra Dunagan Deal taught language arts for over 15 years in Hall County. Her passion for quality education for all children was evidenced by incredible leadership throughout her life but especially during her tenure as Georgia’s first lady. She advocated for literacy and education throughout the state, personally visiting 159 counties and 181 school systems where she read to students. For her work, she was named Georgian of the Year in 2016. In 2017, the Sandra Dunagan Deal Center for Early Language and Literacy was founded at Georgia College & State University to promote universal literacy and ensure every child could read proficiently.
