MGA Community Mourns the loss of Don Avery

The Middle Georgia State University community is deeply saddened by the sudden passing of Don Avery, Vice Chair of the MGA Foundation and a cherished leader in the Dublin community. Our thoughts and prayers are with Don’s wife Fara, daughter Amelia, his Fairview Park Hospital family, and everyone whose lives he touched.

As CEO of Fairview Park Hospital for 17 years, Don led with passion and vision and was one of the region’s most respected leaders in healthcare. Under his leadership, the hospital earned numerous accolades for safety and quality outcomes and successfully recruited over 50 new physicians to improve access to care for the community. He was a tremendous supporter of MGA’s expansion of the nursing program on our Dublin Campus and of our healthcare degree programs in general.

Don served as a commencement speaker at Middle Georgia State University in fall 2023, where he inspired graduates with his wisdom, positivity, and unwavering dedication to service.

“Don Avery brought joy and energy to everything he touched,” said Christopher Blake, Ph.D., MGA’s president. “His deep love for Dublin was evident in every interaction. Don’s legacy is one of kindness and a commitment to building a stronger, more connected community. He will be greatly missed but forever remembered.”

Don’s presence will be deeply missed, but his influence and legacy will live on in the hearts of all who knew him.

In 2022, through his commitment to the Dublin community and excellence in healthcare, Don established the Don and Fara Avery Endowed Nursing Scholarship. This endowed fund provides scholarships to MGA students in the Dublin area who are pursuing a degree in nursing, are in good academic and conduct standing, and preferably are attending MGA on its Dublin campus. 

We invite you to honor Don’s memory with a contribution to this scholarship which meant so much to him and  Fara. Your gift will ensure that Don’s legacy continues to inspire future generations, creating opportunities for young people to thrive in ways he deeply valued.

Please visit giving.mga.edu to support Don’s legacy.