Greensburg, IN – November 10, 2026 – Decatur County Memorial Hospital (DCMH) physicians Dr. Maher Ahmad and Dr. Jennifer Fletcher have been selected by East Indiana Area Health Education Center (EI-AHEC) to receive this year’s Clinical Education Award, recognizing their commitment to teaching and mentoring the next generation of healthcare professionals.
The recognition reflects consistent feedback from students completing clinical rotations at DCMH. Across multiple disciplines, students highlight how much they learn from Drs. Ahmad and Fletcher about communication, interprofessional collaboration, and the resourcefulness required to provide effective healthcare in a rural community.
Students gain firsthand experience seeing how physicians coordinate with specialists, the Emergency Department, family medicine providers, and members of the inpatient team, including nursing, imaging, respiratory therapy, physical therapy, social work, and nutrition services. They also learn the importance of adapting to the resources and needs of each patient and the community.
“Dr. Ahmad and Dr. Fletcher’s commitment to teaching gives students valuable insight into what it means to practice medicine in our rural community,” said Jeff Hartz, EI-AHEC Executive Director. “We consistently hear how meaningful the experiences have been with both physicians from our students.”
The award is particularly meaningful because it is the first time EI-AHEC has recognized a team rather than an individual. Students consistently describe the value of learning from both physicians throughout their internal medicine rotations, reflecting the shared impact they have on the clinical learning experience.
Their teaching extends beyond medical students to physician assistant and nurse practitioner students, nursing and imaging students, social work students, pre-medical students, and high school students exploring healthcare careers. Throughout the year, they adapt their teaching to meet learners at different stages of their education.
“Dr. Ahmad and Dr. Fletcher demonstrate how teaching is woven into the work they do every day,” said Ally Metz, DCMH Director of Inpatient Services. “They take the time to explain decisions, bring the right people together,
and show students how every member of the team contributes to a patient’s experience and healing. They model the importance of working together, communicating effectively, and thinking resourcefully.”
These experiences benefit students well beyond their time at DCMH. The communication and collaboration skills they develop carry into future clinical rotations and careers, while exposure to rural medicine helps them better understand the needs of patients in communities like southeastern Indiana.
“Dr. Ahmad and Dr. Fletcher are helping shape the future of healthcare through the time and knowledge they invest in students,” said Rex McKinney, DCMH President and CEO. “We hope that experience inspires more future healthcare professionals to return to communities like ours and build their careers here.”
DCMH provides clinical learning opportunities for students from multiple educational programs and institutions, continuing its commitment to supporting healthcare education and strengthening the future workforce serving Decatur County and the surrounding region.
DCMH congratulates Dr. Ahmad and Dr. Fletcher on this well-earned recognition and thanks them for their continued dedication to teaching, mentoring, and helping prepare the next generation of healthcare professionals.
Decatur County Memorial Hospital – The Quality Care You Want. Close By.
