Business Details
25 Years
experience
Your Trusted Free Medical Center in Athens, GA
Mercy Health Center was founded in 2001 as an extension of the local Christian community, dedicated to providing Christ-centered healthcare to underserved populations in Northeast Georgia. Our mission is rooted in demonstrating God's love through comprehensive medical, dental, and behavioral health services for uninsured adults living at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level. With over two decades of service, we operate as a Primary Care Home offering full-spectrum care including preventive medicine, urgent care, and specialist referrals through community partnerships.Our team of volunteer medical professionals, including physicians, dentists, and behavioral health specialists, delivers care alongside wellness programs and medication assistance. We maintain rigorous standards of excellence while operating with financial transparency, relying entirely on community donations to sustain our free services. Our values emphasize dignity, stewardship, and transformative relationships that extend beyond clinical treatment to address the holistic needs of our patients.
Services
Primary Care
Dental Services
Behavioral Health
Medication Assistance
Wellness Programs
Gynecology
Physical Therapy
Vision Care
Orthopedics
Neurology
Details
- Year established: 2001
Highlights and features
- We offer free primary care and dental services to uninsured adults with incomes at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level.
- Our team includes volunteer medical professionals with decades of combined experience in community healthcare.
- We provide comprehensive care coordination with access to specialist services through established community partnerships.
- Our Christ-centered approach integrates spiritual support with medical treatment for holistic patient care.
- We maintain extended clinic hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays to improve patient accessibility.
What people say
Support and care
Lifeline for the uninsured
Transformative impact
Dedicated volunteers
Holistic approach
Services
Primary Care
Mercy Health Center provides comprehensive primary care services including preventive medicine, chronic disease management, and acute care treatment. Our volunteer physicians and medical professionals deliver patient-centered care for uninsured adults across 13 Georgia counties. Services include routine check-ups, diagnostic testing, and care coordination with specialist partners to ensure complete healthcare solutions.
Dental Services
Our dental program offers essential oral healthcare through volunteer dentists and specialists. Patients receive preventive care, extractions, restorative treatments, and access to specialized dental services. The program partners with local providers to ensure comprehensive oral health solutions for low-income individuals who would otherwise lack access to dental care.
Behavioral Health
Mercy's behavioral health services include individual and group counseling sessions addressing mental health challenges and emotional wellness. Our licensed counselors work with patients facing stress, trauma, and life transitions, providing therapeutic support that integrates with their overall healthcare needs through our holistic treatment approach.
Medication Assistance
The Medication Assistance Program (MMAP) helps patients access essential prescription medications at reduced costs. Through pharmaceutical partnerships and volunteer coordination, we ensure uninsured individuals receive necessary treatments for chronic conditions and acute health issues that would otherwise be financially prohibitive.
Wellness Programs
Our wellness initiatives include nutrition counseling, health education classes, and preventive care workshops. These programs empower patients to make informed health decisions and develop sustainable lifestyle changes that improve overall well-being through community-based educational resources.
People
Cole Phillips
CEO and Medical Director
Dr. Cole Phillips leads Mercy Health Center with dual expertise in medicine and business administration. He oversees clinical operations while maintaining direct patient care, ensuring the organization's medical programs align with its mission to serve underserved populations through compassionate healthcare delivery.
Emily Nix
Chief Operating Officer
Emily Nix manages daily operations at Mercy Health Center, applying her business administration expertise to optimize service delivery. She coordinates organizational resources and strategic initiatives while maintaining the center's commitment to providing free, high-quality healthcare to uninsured adults in Northeast Georgia.
Bradford Coleman
Director of Whole Person Care
As Director of Whole Person Care, Bradford Coleman oversees counseling services and social support programs. He integrates mental health resources with medical treatment, ensuring patients receive comprehensive care that addresses both psychological needs and physical health challenges through Mercy's holistic approach.
Janet Roberts
Director of Dental Care
Janet Roberts leads Mercy's dental program, coordinating volunteer dentists and oral health services. She ensures access to essential dental care for low-income patients while maintaining quality standards through partnerships with local dental professionals and clinical training programs.
Amber Deutsch
Director of Marketing and Development
Amber Deutsch manages Mercy Health Center's outreach and fundraising initiatives. She develops strategic partnerships and community engagement programs that sustain the organization's free healthcare services while expanding awareness of its mission to serve uninsured adults across 13 Georgia counties.
Questions
What are the eligibility requirements for Mercy Health Center services?
To qualify, patients must be adults aged 18+ with incomes at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level, completely uninsured, and reside in one of our 13 service counties in Northeast Georgia.
What medical services does Mercy offer?
We provide primary care, dental services, behavioral health counseling, medication assistance, wellness programs, gynecology, physical therapy, vision care, and specialist referrals through community partnerships.
How can I schedule an appointment at Mercy?
Call 706-425-9445 during our operating hours Monday-Thursday 8:30am-4:30pm and Friday 8:30am-3:00pm. We do not accept walk-ins and require appointments for all services.
Does Mercy accept insurance or offer payment plans?
We serve completely uninsured patients only. All services are provided free of charge, though patients may choose to contribute through volunteering or donations if they wish.
How is Mercy Health Center funded?
We operate entirely through community donations, grants, and volunteer support. No government funding is received, ensuring our ability to maintain Christ-centered values while serving uninsured adults across 13 counties.
Are there volunteer opportunities at Mercy?
Yes! We need medical professionals in specialties like podiatry, gynecology, and neurology, plus general volunteers. Visit our Get Involved page to apply or contact us directly for current opportunities.
Reviews (4)
Casey Henderson
Dec 18, 2021
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While I appreciate any place that has people taking time to volunteer, I am beyond disappointed with the way they handle things.... I drove my mom to get her (scheduled) vaccine only to wait two hours for them to say that if it hasn't been 14 days that she can't get it. Why they couldn't have said that on the phone earlier in the day (when they were scheduling said vaccine) is beyond me. Now, "for our troubles of waiting two hours" they assured my mom that they will personally schedule her an appointment. (As if they were doing her a favor)
Tammy Rohme
Aug 20, 2021
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I had been going to Mercy Clinic for about 8 years,my last visit was horrible. It was with the Gastric Dr I went in with severe stomach pain and her visit was over the computer I was evaluated by an intern .My BP was 70/50 my sugar was 50 The nurse immediately went and got someone .The gastric Dr said it was my IBS and gave me biogard and meloxicam. I had to call my son to pick me up .I stayed in bed until FIVE days later I end up in ER by ambulance where Sepsis was setting in and I had to have exploratory surgery .Ended up having a perforated ulcer and staye hospital 7 days.I never went back to
Allen Robinson
Mar 02, 2021
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The care provided by the volunteer medical staff at the Athens, Georgia Mercy Health Center is nothing short of impeccable, HOWEVER, beware of the office manager, Gale Nyseth. She is an emotionally-unstable, extremely hostile, impulsive, explosive, volatile, confrontational TYRANT who will not hesitate to scream I DONT CARE!!! at a patient in the waiting room who dares to question her demands for unquestioning submission and obedience. Her behavior is absolutely atrocious, despicable and completely unprofessional. She should resign immediately. I was present to observe her subordinate
Bryan Reynolds
Sep 24, 2019
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Went for my first vistit today, what a lovely staff. Very professional, efficent, and friendly. I'm so glad i was referred here.
