Dr. Christopher Hyson pictured with his wife Audrey Hyson (Provided photo)

SARANAC LAKE — The Adirondack Health Foundation will honor Dr. Christopher Hyson, a primary medicine physician and steadfast advocate for rural healthcare, with the Dr. Edward L. Trudeau Award at its 2026 Summer Gala. The award recognizes Dr. Hyson’s service and commitment to the people of the Adirondacks.

For more than three decades, Dr. Hyson has stood at the heart of Adirondack Health’s mission — serving as both healer and neighbor to generations of families across the region. Known for his quiet strength, compassion and humility, he has exemplified what it means to be a primary care physician in a rural community, where medicine is as much about connection as it is about care.

Throughout his more than 31 years of service, Dr. Hyson’s dedication to his patients and colleagues has never wavered, even during the most challenging moments. Although he had planned to retire in July 2020, the arrival of the coronavirus pandemic changed everything. Recognizing the immense strain on Adirondack Health’s providers and patients, he made the selfless decision to postpone his retirement for another year. His willingness to remain on the front lines during a global health crisis reflected his exceptional professionalism and deep commitment to the communities he served.

His dedication extended far beyond the clinic walls. At least twice a month, Dr. Hyson could be found calling upon the local volunteer ambulance corps in Keene to help transport a patient “up the hill” to Adirondack Health. Often, he rode in the ambulance himself, sitting beside the patient to provide comfort and reassurance along the winding mountain roads. Those who know him best say that image — a doctor riding alongside his patient — captures his essence perfectly: present, steady and deeply caring.

In quieter moments, he found grounding in the natural world just outside his office window. Working in Keene, he often kept the window open to the sound of the Ausable River. Between appointments, he would pause to watch the otters playing along the water’s edge. These brief, peaceful scenes offered perspective and a calming reminder of the importance of slowing down and truly listening, qualities he brought into every patient encounter.

Dr. Hyson often describes primary care as both “roots and branches.” The roots, he explains, are the trusting, sustained relationships physicians build with their patients over many years. The branches stretch outward, representing how primary care reaches into every aspect of medicine — coordinating care, advocating for patients and supporting the health of entire communities. His philosophy reflects both the resilience and interconnectedness of rural medicine and the core mission of Adirondack Health.

“Primary care physicians like Dr. Hyson are the backbone of healthcare in small towns across America,” said Jennifer Balog, executive director of the Adirondack Health Foundation. “Their resilience, resourcefulness, and humanity keep communities healthy and connected. Dr. Hyson’s service reminds us all of what it truly means to care.”

When informed of the honor, Dr. Hyson said he was “completely floored.”

“I am deeply humbled to have been chosen as the 2026 honoree of Adirondack Health’s Summer Gala and recipient of the Dr. Edward L. Trudeau Award,” Dr. Hyson said. “I see this as a celebration of those of us who have chosen to practice medicine on the front lines of healthcare and focus our abilities and inner resources on the face-to-face care of families and individuals in our communities.”

The Adirondack Health Foundation will celebrate Dr. Hyson’s legacy on Saturday, July 11, 2026, at the McKenzie Wilderness Estate in Ray Brook. Proceeds from the gala will support rural healthcare initiatives, a cause that reflects the heart of Dr. Hyson’s life’s work.