
About Us
The Family Health Centers of Georgia, Inc. (FHCGA) is a non-profit, 501(c)(3), Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), whose mission is to provide comprehensive, high quality, patient-centered healthcare to the communities we serve, with a commitment to excellence. FHCGA was the first community health center in Georgia, and the second in the southeast, to become Joint Commission Accredited; and has been a member of the National Health Service Corps for 25 years plus. FHCGA currently operates 16 center locations, including five school-based health centers, in five Georgia counties: Clayton, Douglas, Floyd, Fulton, and Henry, and three mobile medical and dental units.

From its modest beginnings in 1975 of eight exam rooms to its current capacity of more than 70 exams rooms, The Family Health Centers of Georgia, Inc. provides quality healthcare services, coupled with compassionate and courteous customer service, to residents in Atlanta, Georgia and surrounding cities. The main center has remained in historic West End Atlanta since 1975. The organization has gone through two official name changes: starting out as the University Center - Community Health Plans, Inc. from 1975 through 1992 then changing to West End Medical Centers, Inc. from 1992 to July 2013, and changing again to The Family Health Centers of Georgia in 2013.

From 1979 to 2010, Mrs. Daisy L. Harris, who served as President & CEO, led her team with a focus on ensuring that the organization not only provided top-notch healthcare services, but also offered supporting programs, community outreach and health education. Aiding in the organization's successful longevity, the late Dr. Mirian E. Chivers, the organization's first medical director, who later served as Chair of the Board of Directors, worked closely with Mrs. Harris for more than 20 years. Mrs. Harris and Dr. Chivers implemented many of the best practices that enable the organization to continue to reach its fullest potential.

In August of 2010, Michael W. Brooks, MD, MBA, became President & CEO. Dr. Brooks' wealth of knowledge and experience from his previous positions within the organization paved the way for his new role as CEO. His impressive list of prior accomplishments includes successfully negotiating and overseeing the organization's managed care contracts with Georgia's community management organizations, managing the organization's information technology initiatives, which included developing and implementing the organization's first IT network, implementing of the organization's first computerized practice management system, and implementing electronic health records. He served as Sr. Vice President, COO, CIO, and CHO. As CHO, Dr. Brooks oversaw the organization's Clinical Administration Department, which included all medical and dental staff, along with the social services, case management, and health education departments.
Dr. Brooks continues to lead the organization in increasing access to affordable healthcare and in achieving positive health outcomes. FHCGA has maintained accreditation by The Joint Commission since 2010. In 2012, FHCGA became the first community health center in Georgia, and the second in the Southeast, to be accredited by The Joint Commission as a Primary Care Medical Home. Under Dr. Brooks' leadership, FHCGA received its designation as "Recognized - Level 3 on Achievement of Recognition for Systematic use of Patient-Centered, Coordinated Care Management Processes" from the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) in 2014. In 2014 FHCGA was awarded the Title X grant for administering family planning services for the state of Georgia. FHCGA continues to serve as the largest Title X grantee for Georgia.

The Family Health Centers of Georgia has grown since 1975 from one location to eight service locations, including the first school-based health centers in Fulton, Clayton and Douglas Counties, and a 41 ft. state-of-the-art mobile medical and dental unit. Expanding from a 12,000 square-foot building, the beautifully updated main center now boasts a 41,000 square-foot facility with 41 exam rooms, dental operatories a full-service pharmacy, on-site lab and corporate offices. The staff has grown to more than 100 board-certified or board-eligible physicians, physician assistants, registered nurses, certified medical assistants, dental providers, behavioral health specialists, administrative and supporting staff. The organization's executive leadership team has more than 100 years of combined experience in healthcare management, finance, operations, grant management, and administration.

The number of services and programs offered has nearly doubled, ensuring that the organization provides the necessary medical interventions and treatments for its vast plethora of patients. FHCGA provides healthcare services to more than 17,000 patients annually, generating 40,000 patient visits.
In 2020, the world faced a worldwide pandemic. FHCGA served as a leader in providing free COVID-19 testing to medically underserved populations. Our doors remained open for those who needed in person healthcare. We expanded our behavioral health services and introduced telehealth services. In 2022, FHCGA continues to provide free COVID-19 testing, education and vaccinations.
Board of Directors - Officers

Janice S. Andrews
Chairperson

Reginald R. Mebane
Vice Chairperson

LaMont McIntosh
Treasurer

Tracy E. Dillon, DDS
Secretary

Rita Benson Gibson
Parliamentarian
Board of Directors - Members

Michael W. Brooks, MD, MBA

Uwonda S. Carter, Esq.

Sanquinetta Maria Dover

Nicole Fortune

Donna L. Hubbard

Layla S. Jaffree, MD

Stephanie J. Smith, MD

Michael Taylor

Jan J. Williams, MBA

Matthew Worthy
Foundation Board Members

Michael W. Brooks, MD, MBA
Chairperson

Stephanie J. Smith, MD
Vice Chairperson

Sammy L. King, Jr., MBA, MHA, ACHE
Treasurer

Janice S, Andrews
Secretary

Tracy E. Dillon, DDS
Member

Brenda Landers
Member

Jan J. Williams, MBA
Member

Sam L. West
Member
Executive Officers

Michael W. Brooks, MD, MBA
President & CEO

Sammy L. King, Jr., MBA, MHA, ACHE
Vice President & CFO

Keila A. Brown, MD, FACOG
Vice President & CHO

Linda G. Abbott, MSM, SSGB
Vice President of Human Resources

Margarethia Bledsoe
Vice President of Business Operations & Communications

Media Contact
Thank you for your interest in The Family Health Centers of Georgia, Inc. It is our policy to provide media information to accredited members of the media and/or legitimate media outlets. All media information provided is to be used for "news purposes only."
For media assistance contact:
M. G. Bledsoe
Why Choose A Community Health Center? Why Choose FHCGA?
The Family Health Centers of Georgia, Inc. is one of more than 1,500 Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC) operating in the United States. FQHCs use a healthcare delivery system that has proven success with improving healthcare outcomes and reducing healthcare costs. Several recent studies have found that patients who regularly use community health centers, like FHCGA, have lower total annual healthcare costs when compared to patients who use other primary care providers, such as HMOs, hospital outpatient units or private physicians. On an average, these studies show that the cost associated with using a community health center is 22% to 33% less expensive than using other healthcare models.
For Medicaid and Medicare patients, the managed care environment that community health centers create increases accessibility to primary care physicians and disease management programs. With the implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), many uninsured Americans are expected to have access to health insurance coverage. However, many US residents will not qualify to participate in the ACA Health Insurance Marketplace or many may find the cost of the health plans offered in the Marketplace unaffordable. FHCGA offers a Sliding Fee Scale Program in which the fees for services are based upon meeting federally established income guidelines. The Sliding Fee Scale Program provides an alternative payment option for uninsured and under-insured patients to receive quality medical services.
When you choose The Family Health Centers of Georgia, Inc., you have found your medical home. You choose an integrated team of healthcare providers, who are either board-certified or board-eligible. Our professional team will work with you to address all of your healthcare needs. FHCGA is the first community health center in Georgia and the second in the Southeast to be accredited by The Joint Commission as a Primary Care Medical Home. This health center receives HHS funding and has Federal Public Health Service (PHS) deemed status with respects to certain health or health-related claims, including medical malpractice claims, for itself and its covered individuals. Click here to view our corporate profile.
As your Primary Care Medical Home, we are committed to:
- offering our patients same day appointments;
- providing access to healthcare during evening and weekend hours;
- addressing your healthcare concerns after normal business hours;
- offering 24/7 access for you to make an appointment, get a medication refill, referral, lab results, or medical advice;
- using medical standards that are nationally approved by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and other accrediting organizations;
- focusing our medical care on each patient and each patient's family; and
- offering community resources to address all of your healthcare concerns.
All FHCGA facilities meet ADA requirements.
This health center receives HHS funding and has Federal Public Health Services (PHS) deemed status with respect to certain health or health-related claims, including medical malpractice claims, for itself and its covered individuals.
Este centro de salud recibe fondos del HHS y tiene un estatus de servicios federales de salud pública (PHS, por sus siglas en inglés) con respecto a ciertas reclamaciones relacionadas con la salud, incluyendo las reclamaciones por negligencia médica, para sí mismo y para las personas cubiertas.