Most people knew him simply as “Doc.”

Known for his great intelligence and intimidating presence, Dr. G. Michael Moredock became, in many ways, the face of Trevecca’s Physician Assistant program. In 2012, Moredock was diagnosed with a brain tumor and retired from the program he had led for 26 years.

Three years later, on April 14, Moredock lost his battle with cancer.

Trevecca’s PA program honored Moredock’s memory by awarding the first Dr. G. Michael Moredock PA Award at their annual graduation ceremony July 31. Chelsea Peterson was the first recipient.

Moredock came to Trevecca in 1986 as the medical director of university health. He later served as the chair of the Department of Allied Health, chair of the Division of Natural and Applied Sciences, and a professor in the Physician Assistant program, eventually assuming the role of director.  

Through his 26 years in the program, Moredock graduated nearly 750 physician assistants.

One of Moredock’s graduates, Katrina Gill, joined Moredock’s team when she became admissions director of the PA program. In her speech at Friday’s graduation, she emphasized the important things Moredock taught his students..

“Doc was striving to prepare us for a mission field of hurting and sick patients across the world and he faced that responsibility with great commitment,” Gill said.

A committee of PA faculty members chose the recipient of the award. The guidelines included exhibiting qualities a Christian professional should display in the field, treating patients with dignity, and showing Jesus through the profession, among other qualities..

Moredock’s wife, Naomi, and their three children — Janine, Aaron, and Kari — presented the award to Peterson. The members of the family were the special guests for the evening.

“I hope the compassion and desire for medicine that is burning inside you now will continue to burn as fiercely as the emission that he had to place that desire in others,” said his son, Aaron, a graduate of the PA program himself.

As this year’s recipient, Peterson received a monetary gift, as well as a plaque inscribed with Doc’s words: “At peace and assured of a sovereign God.” This was how Moredock signed every email from the time of his diagnosis to the time of his death.

The PA program began raising funds for the award in April following Moredock’s death. At this time, they have received nearly $9,000. The program is continuing to take donations and wants to make the award an endowment in the future. For more information about the award or to give, visit trevecca.edu/give or call the Trevecca Office of External Relations at 615-248-1355.

--Trevecca Nazarene University