A Rincon-based surgeon and longtime resident has been recognized by the Georgia Department of Public Safety for his decades of service caring for patients across Georgia, and especially those in law enforcement.
DPS Commissioner Colonel William Hitchens III and members of the department’s command staff presented Dr. John W. Odom with an Honorary Trooper Award in appreciation of his years of service and dedication to the men and women of the department.
“Over the years, Dr. Odom has taken care of and supported countless employees and their families,” DPS shared in a social media post announcing the recognition.
The agency described the award as a small token of appreciation for his continued commitment to those serving in public safety.
Odom is a board-certified general surgeon and co-founder of MetroSurgical, a practice he established in 1994 alongside Dr. Mark Blankenship. His medical expertise includes complex hernia repairs and trauma surgery. Notably, Odom is a native of rural Georgia and attended Georgia Southwestern College before earning his medical degree from the Autonomous University of Guadalajara. He completed medical training in New York and a trauma surgery fellowship in New Jersey.
Throughout his career, Odom has served as president of the medical staff at St. Joseph’s/Candler Hospital and has been named Teacher of the Year at the Medical College of Georgia three times. He also played a significant role in bringing the Mastery of General Surgery Fellowship to St. Joseph’s/Candler Hospital.
In recognizing his contributions, DPS said simply:
“Dr. Odom, thank you for always taking care of and supporting our people.”
