Three Physicians and a Physician Assistant Honored with Awards from Norman Regional

Norman Regional Health System honored three physicians and a physician assistant for their commitment to patients and the community in 2024.

On February 10, 2025, Norman Regional announced the 2024 award winners for the Kyle Toal, MD Physician Peer Award; Outstanding Physician Award; Hal Belknap, MD Heart of Gold Community Award, and Advanced Practice Provider of the Year.

The winners are:

Kyle Toal, MD Physician Peer Award

Norman Regional renamed the Physician Peer Award in honor of cardiothoracic surgeon Kyle Toal, MD. Dr. Toal passed away in 2023. For this honor, physicians voted for a fellow physician who best personified three traits: compassionate care of patients, building of collegial relationships, and the pursuit of professional excellence.

Physicians chose Aaron Boyd, MD for this year’s Kyle Toal, MD Physician Peer Award! Dr. Boyd serves as the co-Chief Executive Officer of Norman Regional Health System and is a practicing intensivist in the hospital. Dr. Boyd also leads the health system's 34 provider clinics. Dr. Boyd graduated from medical school at the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine and is fellowship-trained in Pulmonary Disease/Critical Care Medicine.

Norman Regional Outstanding Physician of the Year

Norman Regional’s employees, called Healers, vote for one physician to win the Outstanding Physician of the Year. Nominations mentioned this physician was fastidious.

“He always has the perfect x-rays, the perfect clinical schedule and even the perfect bow tie,” one of his nominators noted. This year Healers selected Brian Clowers, MD as the Outstanding Physician of the Year!

Dr. Clowers specializes in orthopedic surgery. His sub-specialty is orthopedic disorders of the foot and ankle. Dr. Clowers, who also has a bachelor’s degree in music, was awarded the Mask of the White Buffalo award by the University of Oklahoma School of Dance for service to the School of Dance. He graduated from medical school at the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine and completed a fellowship for foot and ankle reconstruction in Baltimore, MD.

Dr. Hal Belknap Heart of Gold Award

Each year, one physician is given the Hal Belknap Heart of Gold Award, which honors a physician for his or her service to the community. Dr. Hal Belknap was on the Medical Staff at Norman Regional from

1967 until he passed away in 2008. He made remarkable contributions both locally and globally, ranging from supporting a Boy Scout troop at Norman Regional to founding a health clinic in Africa.

The 2024 Hal Belknap Heart of Gold Award was given to Farhan Jawed, MD. Dr. Jawed is a psychiatrist who has an outpatient practice and serves as medical director for the Porter Health Village Behavioral Health Center. Dr. Jawed graduated from medical school at King Edward Medical College and completed his residency at Michigan State University.

Norman Regional Advanced Practice Provider of the Year

Lauren Hill, PA-C, was selected as this year’s Advanced Practice Provider of the Year! This award is given to physician assistants and nurse practitioners at Norman Regional. She assists Rahal Kahanda, MD, colorectal surgeon, in both the clinic and the operating room. Lauren graduated from the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center - Physician Associate program with a Masters of Science Degree.

Dr. Kahanda presented Hill the award.

“Because of Lauren, our colorectal program is what it is today and it will be serving patients for many more years,” Dr. Kahanda said.