Message from our CEO

On behalf of the Board of Directors and Management Team of Greater Meridian Health Clinic, Inc., I--Wilbert L. Jones--Chief Executive Officer of Greater Meridian Health Clinic, Inc., would like to extend this opportunity to welcome you to our website.

Greater Meridian Health Clinic, Inc., a community based, Joint Commission accredited, private, not-for-profit, federally qualified health center, based in Lauderdale County—opened its doors in 1986. In 1986 Mississippi officials deemed it necessary to close the charity hospital of Lauderdale County—Matty Hersee. Hence, posing a tremendous hardship on the residents of Lauderdale and neighboring counties. Upon closure of Matty Hersee Hospital, a vast majority of Lauderdale County residents could not afford healthcare coverage/insurance whereas Matty Hersee Hospital was their sole source of health care; yielding a possible healthcare crisis. With this impeding crisis of significant access to healthcare barriers arising, a group of concerned citizens joined forces and took a stance. They knew something had to be done to help eliminate this crisis. This dedicated body of concerned individuals diligently networked, committed their time and acquired resources to ultimately establish the Greater Meridian Health Clinic, Inc. (GMHC, Inc.). Greater Meridian Health Clinic, Inc., was established in 1986 and was initially based in a portion of Matty Hersee Hospital which is now the Myrtle Estes Dormitory. Months later, after countless hours of networking and lobbying for funds—in 1987, the governing body of GMHC, Inc. was successful in acquiring a building and relocating to 2700 Sixth Street in Meridian, Mississippi. Greater Meridian Health Clinic, Inc., began its practice with three doctors and provided services to less than five-hundred users. As time progressed and our patient population grew, so did our need to expand to better serve our patients. In 1998 Greater Meridian Health Clinic, Inc. expanded its headquarter site; transforming its infrastructure tremendously. This expansion caused the Meridian’s site entrance and physical street address to change to 2701 Davis Street—Meridian, Mississippi. In 1987 Shuqualak-Noxubee Health Center joined Greater Meridian Health Clinic, Inc., and years later—in 1993—Kemper Family Medical Clinic also joined. Winston County Family Medical Center later joined the corporation in 1999. Shortly thereafter, we acquired Scooba Family Medical Clinic in 2000, a mobile health unit in 2002 and Oktibbeha Family Medical Center in 2003. The same expert health services are available at all sites. We at Greater Meridian Health Clinic, Inc., feel that a good comprehensive healthcare plan is essential. Today we have seven sites which are strategically found in Lauderdale, Noxubee, Kemper, Winston and Oktibbeha Counties. Since our inception—over 20 years ago—our mission has and will continue to be providing residents of this and neighboring communities with quality health care. Our mission remains constant in our ever changing society. “To provide quality primary care services, through a community/user based organization for a population which face significant access barriers to the healthcare system in an environment that preserves human dignity and cultural sensitivity.” Hopefully, with your continued support, GMHC, Inc. will be here 20 plus more years, providing quality health care to Lauderdale and neighboring communities. “Again, Welcome to our website.”