Lauren Hearn, DO, a primary care physician providing family medicine and obstetrics care, is joining Dr. Paul Raber and Lighthouse Family Practice, effective August 28. Lighthouse is part of St. Mary's Medical Group and its physicians have privileges at St. Mary's Sacred Heart Hospital in Lavonia.

Dr. Hearn provides wellness care, outpatient illness care, and chronic condition management for patients ages infants to senior adults, as well as obstetrical care for women in all stages of pregnancy, from before conception to after delivery. She is especially interested in rural, outpatient, full-scope family medicine, faith-based health care, preventative medicine, family-centered maternity care, and obstetrical ultrasound.

A resident of Royston, Dr. Hearn comes to Lighthouse from Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System in South Carolina, where she recently completed her obstetrics fellowship.

She earned her bachelor's degree in human nutrition, food and exercise from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in Blacksburg, Va. She then received her medical degree from Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine, also in Blacksburg, before continuing into her family medicine residency at Self Regional Healthcare in Greenwood, SC. She then completed her additional year of training in obstetrics.

Dr. Hearn is board-certified in Family Medicine and also maintains certification in advanced life support in obstetrics, advanced cardiac life support, neonatal resuscitation and pediatric advanced life support. She is a member of the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Board of Family Medicine, and the Christian Medical and Dental Associations.

Dr. Hearn is married to Clayton G. Hearn, DO. She enjoys travel, home remodeling, volunteer missions work, gardening, spending time with family, and being involved with her family's church.

Davis B. Horkan, M.D., administrative chief resident for surgical education at Jackson Health System/University of Miami in Miami, Fla., is joining Athens General and Colorectal Surgeons (AGCS), part of St. Mary's Medical Group, effective Aug. 26.

Joining AGCS brings Dr. Horkan back to Athens and Georgia. He is a graduate of the University of Georgia in Athens and earned his medical degree from the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta. As the newest member of AGCS, Dr. Horkan joins Drs. Sergio Mejias, Ryan Katz, W. Andrew Lawrence, Aaron Carr and Steve Shirley.

Dr. Horkan is a member of the American Medical Association, the American College of Surgeons, and Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society.

As a skilled endoscopic and laparoscopic surgeon, he is able to use minimally invasive techniques for many procedures. Types of surgeries he performs include: breast surgery, including lumpectomy and mastectomy; thyroid surgery; gallbladder surgery; hernia repair; anti-reflux surgery; appendix surgery; stomach procedures; colon surgery; hemorrhoid disease, and colonoscopy and upper endoscopy.

Dr. Horkan earned his bachelor's degree in agriculture and biological science from UGA in 2007 and his medical degree from MCG in 2012. During these years, he worked for a time as a transporter at Colquitt Regional Medical Center in Moultrie, Ga., and as an anesthesia technician at MCG. After earning his medical degree, he was accepted as a categorical resident in general surgery at Jackson Health System/University of Miami. While at the University of Miami, he also practiced as a post-doctoral research fellow in pediatric surgery and vascular biology, founded and coordinated a surgical intern boot camp, and for the past year served as the administrative chief resident for surgical education.

He will provide pre- and post-op patient consultations at AGCS's main office, located at 740 Prince Ave., Building 2, Athens, and has surgical privileges at St. Mary's Hospital.

Dr. Horkan is now accepting patient appointments. A referral from a primary care physician may be required under some insurance plans. As part of St. Mary's Medical Group, AGCS accepts most major insurance plans and Medicare. Please contact your insurance provider for more information regarding your specific plan requirements for a general surgery referral.