James R. Morrow, M.D.
It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Dr. Jim Morrow, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and cherished family medicine physician. Born in Greenwood, South Carolina on June 24, 1954, Dr. Morrow dedicated his life to the well-being of others - a trait that was profoundly reflected both in his professional career and personal interactions. In the words of Hippocrates, "Wherever the art of medicine is loved, there is also a love of humanity." This quote encapsulated the essence of Dr. Morrow's life.
Jim was a proud graduate of Clemson University, undergraduate and graduate degrees in microbiology and immunology and the University of South Carolina School of Medicine. For 43 years, he served his community and beyond as a trusted and compassionate family medicine physician. He was the epitome of a caregiver, always placing the needs of his patients before his own in South Carolina and Georgia.
Jim was a proud fan of the Clemson Tigers, and he was often seen sporting the team's colors and cheering them on with unmatched enthusiasm. He was also an accomplished woodworker, an amazing guitarist and a talented pianist. He loved to fish and spend time boating. Jim's life was rich and full, his character marked by his love for learning, his devotion to his patients, and his commitment to his family and friends. He and Peggie have a beautiful love story that he loved sharing with others.
Jim was a true believer in Christ Our Lord and never hesitated to share that belief with patients and friends, often praying for and with them when the need arose.
Dr. Jim is survived by his loving wife, Peggie Morrow, his step daughter and son in law, Stella and Efrain Morales their children (Anna, Alex, Mia, Jesse, and nephew Chendo, and honorary daughters.) He is also survived by 2 daughters, Melissa Threat and Elizabeth Gary, his sister Corrie (Jim) Wiley, his nephews James Wiley (Emily) Wiley, and Matthew Wiley (Bett) and 5 great nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Aurelia Morrow.
Dr. Jim Morrow has been the CEO of Morrow Family Medicine, a state-of-the-art family practice in Cumming, Georgia, for 10 years, and now partners with Village Medical.
He is a past winner of the HIMSS Primary Care Davies Award for Implementation of an EHR, and the HIMSS Physician IT Leader of the Year.
Dr. Morrow served two years as Medical Director and Vice-President of Medical Affairs for Allscripts Healthcare Solutions before returning to full-time practice.
A nationally recognized evangelist for healthcare information technology, he served two terms as a commissioner to the Certification Commission for Healthcare Information Technology (CCHIT), he also has served HIMSS as a member of the Ambulatory Davies Selection Committee, the Ambulatory Information Systems Steering Committee, the Katrina's Phoenix Task Force, and chairman of the Practice Leadership Task Force. He was the HIT mentor to the Common Ground Clinic in the greater New Orleans area, a free clinic started post-Katrina to care for the indigent in that area.
Dr. Morrow has served on the board of directors of the Physician's Institute for Excellence, served as Vice-Chairman of the Georgia Health Information Network, is an advisor to the Board of the Technology Association of Georgia for Health. (TAG Health), and was a board member of the Institute for Healthcare Information Technology, a think tank started in Georgia to bring education, technology and workforce together in that state. He was a trusted advisor to the Center for Health Transformation, and Atlanta based healthcare think tank with a focus on accelerating electronic prescribing adoption of EHR systems and improved health outcomes.
Morrow Family Medicine has been named a "Top 25 Place to Work in Atlanta" and The "Best in Forsyth" in Family Medicine for the past 9 years. The Cumming Forsyth Chamber of Commerce named Dr. Morrow the Steve Bloom Award Winner as Entrepreneur of the Year in 2014 and he received a Phoenix Award as Community Leader of the Year from the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce at the annual Health IT Leadership Summit in Atlanta in 2014.
However, his favorite honor was when his medical school, The University of South Carolina School of Medicine, awarded him The Distinguished Humanitarian Physician Alumni of The Year for the work he and his wife, Peggie, did with their charity, The Morrow Community Foundation. Together they raised over $400,000 for students in Forsyth County who needed access to technology in order to succeed in school and life. This also led to the high honor of The Hendricks Award from The Forsyth County School System. Jim and Peggie are scholarship donors to The University of North Georgia and The University of South Carolina's School of Medicine.
He has served as team physician for various high schools for years spending Friday nights on the sidelines in case he was needed and served on many nonprofit boards throughout the community.
In 2019, Jim started his own podcast, "To Your Health with Dr. Jim Morrow". He recorded his 91st episode just a week before his passing. He used the show not only to promote his practice, but to educate the public on important medical issues. He highlighted many important causes.
Everyone remembers his wonderful story telling, his gift as a diagnostician, and what an amazing loyal friend and colleague he was...always encouraging, kind, caring, and the best listener. Not only was he thousands of patients' 'favorite doctor', they considered a friend after the first visit to his office.
He and Peggie have enjoyed living in the North Georgia Mountains with their two Doodles and one old hound dog.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Jim's name to :
Dr. Jim and Peggie Morrow iChallenge
Forsyth County Education Foundation
(Checks to be made payable to North Georgia Community Foundation and please put Forsyth County Education Foundation on the memo line).
340 Jesse Jewell Parkway
Suite 605
Gainesville, GA 30501
Or
The Aurelia Morrow Nursing Scholarship
Greenville Tech Foundation
MS 6002
PO Box 5616
Greenville, SC 29606-5616
A visitation will be held at McDonald and Son Funeral Home on Tuesday, September 12, 2023, from 4:00PM-6:00PM, with a memorial service immediately following at 6:00PM.
Condolences may be expressed at www.mcdonaldandson.com.
Arrangements by McDonald and Son Funeral Home, 150 Sawnee Drive, Cumming, GA 30040 (770) 886.9899
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