LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Adventist Health Clear Lake Medical Office – Middletown family and obstetrics physician Dr. Kimberly Fordham, MD, was recognized with a 2017 Physician of the Year Mission Award by Adventist Health.

Dr. Fordham is one of 20 physicians to be honored from Adventist Health locations throughout California, Hawaii and Oregon.

Local gynecologist Dr. Paula Dhanda, MD, was honored with the Physician of the Year Alumni Mission Award.

Dr. Fordham has worked with Adventist Health in Lake County for over 13 years. She was nominated by Adventist Health Clear Lake to receive the award because of her dedication to serving local families and her work to support mothers struggling with addiction as the medical director of the Tule House.

The Tule House is a residential addiction treatment program for addicted mothers that provides housing for their children as well.

"I want to give these mothers a peaceful setting where they can realize there is another option," she explains. "Keeping them with their children as they find the healing within themselves helps the entire family."

Aura Palma knows the ripple effect that comes from Dr. Fordham's work with young mothers.

Palma first met Fordham at New Beginnings, an outpatient treatment program in Lake County.

“She really supported me and helped me through some difficult times in my life," Palma said.

Palma beat her addiction, became a nurse and now practices alongside Fordham at the Adventist Health Clear Lake Medical Office -- Middletown as a family nurse practitioner.

Palma and Fordham are creating the Tule House Program together with Redwood Community Services.

"Dr. Fordham is an optimist and a humble person, and she is tenacious," Palma said. "She has tirelessly dedicated herself to this vision because she sees on the front lines what addiction does to mothers and their children, and she believes in their potential like she believed in mine."

Dr. Paula Dhanda, MD, was also honored by Adventist Health with its system-wide Physician of the Year Alumni Mission Award in recognition of her local and worldwide service to women’s health. Through her organization Worldwide Healing Hands, Dr. Dhanda has provided medical care and education in Nepal, Uganda, Chad and Haiti. Worldwide Healing Hands also provides medical care and screenings to the homeless in Lake County. Dr. Dhanda received the Physician of the Year Award in 2010.

Fordham and Dhanda were honored at the Adventist Health Clinical Summit Awards Dinner held in Sacramento, Calif., on Sept. 11.