State Sen. Heather Somers, R-Groton, was honored Thursday night by the Connecticut State Medical Society, which presented her with its 2018 legislative award in recognition of her commitment to preserving and strengthening the practice of medicine.

The presentation was made during the society’s 226th annual meeting, in North Haven.

Somers, who co-chairs the legislature’s Public Health Committee, was a strong supporter of the society's initiatives during her first Senate term.

“Senator Somers has established herself as one of, if not the leader at the state Capitol in efforts to ensure Connecticut addresses serious issues with our ability to recruit and retain the physician manpower needed as the health care system continues to rapidly transform,” Dr. David Emmel, chairman of the society’s Legislative Committee, said in presenting the award.

The society, founded in 1792, serves more than 6,000 physicians across the state.