In 2026, Mercy Health Center celebrates a remarkable milestone, 25 years of providing gospel-centered, whole-person healthcare to underserved neighbors in the local community.

Founded in September 2001, Mercy Health Center began as a vision shared by a small group of individuals who believed medicine could be a doorway to ministry. What started in the fall of 1999 as a prayerful calling soon became a tangible mission, serving low-income, uninsured residents with not only medical treatment, but also emotional and spiritual support.

On September 10, 2001, that vision became reality. Volunteers opened the clinic with prayer, transforming Sunday school classrooms at Redeemer Presbyterian Church into makeshift exam rooms, while an office doubled as a pharmacy. From those humble beginnings, Mercy has grown into a vital healthcare resource for the region.

Today, the organization operates from its dedicated facility on Oglethorpe Avenue in Athens, offering medical services every weekday during regular hours, along with most Tuesday and Thursday evenings. Dental and behavioral health services are also available throughout the week, ensuring patients receive comprehensive, integrated care. In 2024 alone, Mercy recorded nearly 6,000 patient interactions, a testament to the ongoing need and the organization’s expanding reach.

This anniversary year is already off to a celebratory start. Mercy Health Center was recently named the 2025 Nonprofit of the Year by the Athens Area Community Foundation in partnership with the Athens Area Chamber of Commerce, recognizing a quarter-century of faithful service by staff, volunteers, and supporters.

Mercy Health Center exists as an extension of the local Christian community and continues to serve as an avenue of ministry for area believers and churches. Its model of care addresses the whole person, medical, emotional, and spiritual, while maintaining a strong volunteer-driven foundation.

As Mercy launches its 25th anniversary year, the organization is planning special celebrations, meaningful moments, and exciting announcements to honor its history and look ahead to the future. For Mercy, the milestone is not only a time to reflect on lives changed over the past two and a half decades, but also a renewed commitment to serving neighbors across the Athens area for years to come.

Here’s to 25 years of compassion in action, and to the many lives still to be impacted.