Mission | History | Board
MISSION STATEMENT
Good Shepherd Clinic of Dawson County strives to make Dawson County a better place by providing health care for those who have none.
HISTORY
The Good Shepherd Clinic was the vision of Dr. Mark Weaver, Organizing Pastor for Grace Presbyterian Church in Dawsonville, Georgia. Dr. Weaver and the congregation at Grace saw the need in the community and began to serve the community’s underprivileged with holiday meals and then a café. Dr. Weaver began sharing his vision of a clinic for those with no health insurance, and church members took on many roles in their journey to establish a clinic for the Dawson County community. In September, 2009 the clinic opened its doors in the basement of the church, with three exam rooms and an office where Prescription Assistance volunteers worked during clinic hours to help provide free prescription assistance to clinic patients.
In 2010, the clinic lost its visionary, Dr. Weaver, to a fatal brain aneurysm, but his vision lives on. An expanded Board of Directors, drawing on talented volunteers from within the community, has helped lead the clinic to its current status as a vitally important part of the community. Now located in modern facilities at 200 Dawson Commons Circle, Suite 200 in Dawsonville, an expanded wider range of services includes general medical care; basic dental care; women’s Wellness screening; prescription assistance; eye exams and glasses; and information, referral and advocacy for health and support services. The clinic does not provide emergency care or treat chronic pain requiring narcotics.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Board Chair 2020
Steve Melching
Steve graduated from the University of Kentucky with a BA degree
in Journalism along with a concentration of studies in Advertising and
Public Relations. During his career at Federated Department Stores, he held management positions in Advertising, Marketing and Sales promotion.
He also held Advertising Sales and management positions at the
Atlanta Journal Constitution and local community publications. He has served on the Board of Directors of the Dawson County Chamber of Commerce for five years, including 2016 as Chairman. He is also active with the Dawson County Boy Scouts and Dawson County Relay for Life-American Cancer Society.
Members of the Board
Brooke Anderson
Mr. Anderson is General Manager of Etowah Water and Sewer Authority. He has guided the expansion of the water treatment facility, water reclamation facility, conversion to a fixed base meter reading system, obtaining a Section 404 permit for the Russell Creek Reservoir, and improvements to the water system, sewer system, operations, and customer service. He is a member of the American Water Works Association and the Georgia Association of Water Professionals. He is also the Chairman of the Small to Medium Systems Committee and is a member of the Legislative Committee for the Georgia Association of Water Professionals. He currently serves as Chairman of the North Georgia Water Resources Partnership, and was appointed by Governor Nathan Deal to serve on the Coosa-North Georgia Regional Water Planning Council. He served as the President of the Rotary Club of Dawson County, and currently serves on the School Governance Council for Robinson Elementary School and the Dawson County Junior High School. He also serves as Chairman of the System Governance Council.
Jo Brewer
Ms. Brewer graduated from Eastern Illinois University with a BS degree in Clinical Laboratory Science and a Masters of Business Administration. She is currently the Executive Director of the Medical Plaza 400 and Laboratory Services for Northeast Georgia Health System where she has been employed for over 30 years. She serves as the 2017 Chairman of the Board of the Dawson County Chamber of Commerce. She is also a board member of the Georgia Chapter of the Clinical Laboratory Management Association and an active member of the Dawson County Rotary Club. She is an active member of Grace Episcopal Church where she serves as Lay Eucharistic Minister and Lay Reader. Jo has been married to Steve for 38 years and they have one grown son. When she is not involved in community activities, Jo enjoys yoga, zumba and gardening.
Brian Burke, OD
Dr. Burke was a medic in the 9th Infantry Division for 3 years after graduating from high school in Kettering, Ohio. After completing his enlistment, he attended Wright State University before graduating from The Ohio State University with a Doctorate in Optometry in 1990. He then completed a one year residency at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Chillicothe, Ohio. After 20 years in north metro Atlanta, he opened Dawson Vision eye clinic in 2003. Locally, he has been awarded the ‘Outstanding Citizen of the Year’ in 2015 and ‘Business Leader of the Year’ in 2016. He has been an active member of the Dawson County Rotary Club since 2005 and a volunteer doctor at the Good Shepherd Clinic since 2015.
Randy Davis
Mr. Davis has been in the construction industry for thirty-eight years. He was involved in commercial and residential projects throughout the southeastern US. He has a residential contractor’s license from the State of Florida and also has real estate and insurance licenses from the state of Georgia. He was an area manager/salesman for a large national building materials supplies company in the southeastern US and was responsible for developing new business. He is an Elder at Grace Presbyterian Church and serves on the Social Justice and building committees and sings in the choir. He is currently a member of the Dawson County Board of Equalization and was past president of his HOA for six years. He volunteers at several local charities.
Debra H. Duke, MHA, CRA
Ms. Duke is a Healthcare Executive Consultant with over 30 years of academic and not-for-profit experience leading hospital and physician practice operations in a multihospital system. She is currently Director, Client Services for SG&A Services, LLC, responsible for client services to include needs assessment, project structural review, and development of consultative services needed by clients. From 1998-2017 she served as Executive Director of Imaging, Neurosciences, Bariatric, Oncology Service Lines for Northeast Georgia Health System in Gainesville, GA. Prior to that she served as Administrator of Radiology/Cardiology at Emory Clinic in Atlanta, GA. She received a Bachelors of Medical Science degree from Emory University, Atlanta, GA and a Masters of Healthcare Administration degree from the University of St. Francis, Chicago, IL. Ms. Duke is a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives, is Founding Chair of Rotarian of Hall County, and is an Advisory Board Member of Lanier Technical College.
Joe F. Fortune, Jr.
Mr. Fortune is a graduate of Georgia State University and the American Institute of Banking. His career included the Trust Company of Georgia (now SunTrust) and almost 30 years at the Coca-Cola Company, from which he retired as manager of systems for manufacturing. He has 12 years of experience working in free clinics. He is a member of Grace Presbyterian Church in Dawsonville, GA, sings with the Dawson Community Chorale, and is a member of the Dawson County Tax Equalization Board.
Lisa France
Lisa graduated from Milligan College in Johnson City, TN with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration, and began her career in the New York area. After working for a non-profit company as accounting manager and then as controller for an HVAC company, she moved to Georgia and worked as a Category Analyst for Pepsi-Cola North America, analyzing large grocery chains. She retired from PCNA after 18 years of service. She has been a volunteer in Prescription Assistance for 10 years. After receiving her Pharmacy Technician license, she currently works for Dawson Pharmacy and services as liaison for the clinic and pharmacy. When not working, she is active in First Baptist Church Dawsonville, working with 2-3 yr olds in AWANA as well as volunteering in the kitchen for Wednesday night dinners.
Joey Homans
Mr. Homans graduated cum laude from Washington State with a BA degree, and earned a JD degree from the University of Puget Sound School of Law which included one year at UGA law school. Joey is a longstanding (1989 – present) member of the law firm of Fox, Chandler, Homans, Hicks & McKinnon; they have offices in Dawsonville and Gainesville. He has a wide diversity of experience. Joey served as General Counsel for: Etowah Water (1993-2004), Gilmer County Board of Tax Assessors (2008-2012), Hall County Board of Tax Assessors (2010-2016), Dawson County (1997-2016), and the City of Demorest (2014–Present). Joey is very active in the Dawson Community ranging from a youth sports coach, member of Kiwanis (former President) and member of the Dawson Chamber of Commerce. He is married to Kristie Myers and has four children, Whitney, Katie, Michael and Shelby.
David Jordan
David is a pastor and native Texan who began participating in professional ministry while a student at Texas Tech University and serving at various times as a youth minister, music minister and student missionary. He did his theological training at Southwestern Seminary in Fort Worth. David began serving in his first pastoral position at Grace Presbyterian Church. He serves as an ambassador for the Dawson County Chamber of Commerce and volunteers as a mentor with Dawson County High School students. David is a member of the Lanier Chamber Singers, a choral ensemble based in Gainesville. He is an avid reader, hiker, and recreational tennis enthusiast. David will manage the clinic’s social media programs.
Dick McNeill
Mr. McNeill graduated from the University of Arizona with a BS degree in Finance, and from the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, where he earned an MBA with a major in Marketing. He served in the US Army for eight years, and was honorably discharged as a Captain; he was awarded the Army Commendation Metal. During his 32-year career at The Coca-Cola Company he held many Marketing and Sales Management positions; he retired as a Vice President and subsequently returned to Coke for two years as a consultant. He served for six years as an adjunct professor at UNG where taught Marketing and Business Communications; while at UNG he started and managed the Cottrell Speaker Series for the business school. Dick is an active member of the Rotary Club of Dawson County, and Grace Presbyterian Church where he serves as a Ruling Elder.
Ann Moore
Ms. Moore is from northeastern Pennsylvania and graduated from Wilkes University with a BS in Nursing. She worked as an Emergency Room Nurse for 12 years. She then moved to Georgia with her husband (and clinic Good Shepherd Clinic physician), David. After a few years as a “stay at home Mom” she returned to nursing, working as the School Nurse at Vickery Creek Elementary School in Forsyth County, retiring from that position 1 year ago. She serves as Secretary of the Board, Good Shepherd Clinic.
David Moore, MD (Medical Director)
Dr. Moore graduated from Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia, and after completing his family practice residency moved to Sautee, Georgia. He initially practiced at the Village Health Clinic in Helen, Georgia for three years, repaying his National Health Corps obligation. He has since practiced in Cleveland, Georgia for five years and Cumming, Georgia for the past 21 years as part of the North East Georgia Medical Center physician group. He is board certified in family practice and a fellow of the American Academy of family Practice.
Marjorie M. O’Byrne
Ms. O’Byrne graduated from Michigan State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree with majors in history and political science and minors in psychology and education. She taught history at the secondary education level for two years. After her move to Georgia, she began at Pacesetter Steel Service, Inc as an executive secretary. She advanced through a number of positions and in 1995 was made Vice President of the company. She remained in that position until her retirement in 2000. During her tenure at Pacesetter she oversaw the growth of the company from three employees in an office park to 210 employees with service centers in Chicago, Marietta, Philadelphia, Houston and St Louis. She is active in Grace Presbyterian Church in Dawsonville, GA
Douglas Edward Powell
Mr. Powell is a founding member of the Board of Directors of the Good Shepherd Clinic, and served as Treasurer for 5 years. He received a B.S. in Business Administration from Kansas State University in 1967. Upon graduation, he was commissioned a 2nd Lt. in U.S. Army, serving as an Army Aviator, flying helicopters. He served a tour in Vietnam, receiving a Bronze Star and the Air Medal. After 43 years with Phillips 66 and Chevron Phillips Chemical Co., where he became a Marketing Director and Corporate Accounts Sales Manager, he retired in 2010. Doug and his wife, Mary, were part of a small group who founded Grace Presbyterian Church in Dawsonville in 2005, and in 2008, they and a group of church members, led by Dr. Mark Weaver, Organizing Pastor, laid the groundwork to begin Good Shepherd Clinic as a mission project. Doug and Mary are ordained Deacons and Elders in the Presbyterian Church, U.S.A. They are also both ordained Stevens Ministers and Steven Leaders.
Anthony Passarello
Mr. Passarello retired to Dawson County in 2014. He holds a BS in chemistry from Presbyterian College. With over 39 years of medical imaging experience, he started his career at DuPont (DE) with assignments in sales, marketing, and product development. He then worked as Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Star Technologies, (VA). He served as Sales Director for Agfa HealthCare US where he was responsible for Enterprise Informatics and Technology Solutions resources to US Hospital Systems and Delivery Networks. Before serving in this role, he held various positions at Agfa sales, marketing, National Accounts and business development.
Tony serves as Chairman of the Development Authority of Dawson County Board, President of Dawson County Civic Association, and Dawson Rotary Club. He is a licensed US Rowing Association referee for NCAA and High School regattas across the US. His family includes his wife Jean and three grown children and two grandchildren.
Pat Reed, DDS (Dental Director)
Dr. Reed graduated from the University of Michigan School of Dentistry in 1988. He enjoyed a private family dental practice in Crystal Lake, Illinois for twenty-eight years before settling in Dawson County in 2016. Pat considers it a privilege to provide dental care to the patients at Good Shepherd Clinic.
Barbara Watson
Barb graduated from the National College of Business, Rapid City, SD with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration, and an Associate of Science degree in Accounting. She began her career in 1977 as Office Manager for Boise Cascade. She subsequently held Administrative, Accounting and or Financial positions with several companies as she progressed in her career. Barb retired in 2003 as CFO of the Teton Industrial Group. Barb is an active member of Bethel United Methodist Church. “I am proud to be one of the many volunteers for Good Shepherd Clinic”, says Barbara. “Being a volunteer gives me the opportunity to use my knowledge and experience to give back to my community.” Barbara serves as Treasurer of the clinic.
Board Members Emeritus
Dr. Larry Anderson
Dr. Dwight R. Weathers
Jean Weathers
Clinic Manager
Kay Parrish
Ms. Parrish served as bookkeeper of her family’s farming business in Peach County, GA before attending the University of Alabama, School of Nursing. She later graduated with a BS degree in Accounting from Georgia State University, and went to work for Ernst & Young in 1987 in the Management Consulting division, reaching the position of Area Facility Manager for the East Coast. She left E&Y in 2001 when Consulting was purchased by CapGemini. She has also worked for Cohen Pollock Merlin & Small law firm as the Firm Administrator and as accountant for Bradley Maple, CPA and Gibbs Gardens. She has served on the Fund Raising Committee of her family’s Kay Community Training Center for the Mentally Handicapped in Peach County; as a Special Olympics swim coach; as a volunteer with Everybody Wins Atlanta; and as a volunteer at Good Shepherd Clinic in prescription assistance. She also served as Secretary of the Board of Directors of Good Shepherd Clinic before becoming Clinic Manager. In 2017 she was named an Outstanding Citizen of Dawson County.