Detroit Lakes Veteran Given Leadership Award

DETROIT LAKES (KDLM) – A Detroit Lakes Veteran has received the Prestigious SSgt. Andrew P. Nelson Award for Outstanding Leadership & Service

Dr. Thomas Seaworth of Detroit Lakes was given the award for Outstanding Leadership & Service at the Third Annual Heroes and Leaders Gala held in Fargo, Thursday.

The SSgt Andrew P Nelson Award for Outstanding Leadership & Service was developed to recognize local veterans who quietly make a difference in their community in the way that they work, volunteer and make life better for others. Recipients are nominated by their friends, family, or coworkers and selected by a panel of community leaders.

“He really looks back at what he’s done in the military as something special in his life. So to be recognized for what he did in the military is a big deal for him,” said Todd Simison, a board member of Boy Scouts Northern Sky District. “When I called and told him that he got the award he was pretty excited.”

Dr. Seaworth has served as a Family Physician with Merit Care / Sanford Health in the Detroit Lakes and New York Mills, MN since 1991. He served in the Army reserves from 1975-1979 and served Active-duty US Army, November 1986-July 1991. He was Awarded Meritorious Service Medal, November 1990 and he was Awarded Bronze Star, April 1991.

Seaworth has also been active in the community, serving as a youth basketball coach; on the United Way Board of Directors (1994-1997); Detroit Lakes Public School Board of Directors (1996-2016); and as the Physician for The Detroit lakes High School teams from 1992 to present.