Starting with four employees—two physicians, a nurse, and a practice administrator — Christ Community Health Services Augusta (CCHSA) opened its doors in 2007. Eight years later, CCHSA has more than 60 employees including physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, nurses, medical assistants and administrative personnel, completing more than 20,000 patient visits annually at two locations.  

“The concept was, and still is, to provide affordable health care for people in the community who do not have insurance or are underinsured or underserved,” said Executive Director Jeff Drake. “Christ Community Health Services provides high quality and affordable health care to people across the Central Savannah River Area.” 

Founded by Dr. Robert Campbell, who completed his medical residency at a clinic for uninsured patients in Memphis, Tenn., CCHSA is dedicated to proclaiming Jesus Christ as Lord and providing a ministry that serves people who are uninsured or underserved. 

According to Drake, the majority of CCHSA patients are working adults, who may have some medical insurance but not adequate coverage or no health care coverage at all, especially those working part-time in jobs that do not provide health benefits. 

CCHSA serves patients at two locations in downtown Augusta. The original clinic is located at 1226 D’Antignac Street, across from University Hospital. In 2007, CCHSA acquired the historic Widow’s Home, located at 127 Telfair Street, which now houses the Olde Town Health Center. 

Drake said extensive renovations to the first floor of the Widow’s Home have allowed Christ Community to expand its primary care medical practice. Fundraising efforts continue to complete the second and third floors, which will allow for expansion of dental and physical therapy services, as well as open a patient education center. 

The core of CCHSA patients live in urban Augusta; however, the clinic serves patients from a 16-county area, including North Augusta and Aiken, S.C. 

With the expansion of services, CCHSA is meeting a significant health care need in the region and providing valuable assistance to local hospitals and medical facilities.

“Someone who in the past was using the emergency room as their primary care facility can now come to Christ Community,” said Drake. “We become their primary care provider. For example, the emergency room is not the place to treat high blood pressure on a long-term basis. We can see these patients, and have a nurse educator on staff that will work with them, so we are not only providing medical treatment but helping to educate patients.”

The clinic has been able to grow, in large part, due to the support of the community. With five major hospitals located in the Augusta area, CCHSA has benefited from numerous partnerships to provide additional health care coverage.

“We have great partnerships with hospitals in the area,” explains Drake. “University Hospital has been a major partner from the beginning. All of our physicians have privileges at University.” 

Internal medicine residents from Georgia Regents University complete their continuity clinic rotation with CCHSA.  

“Three years ago GRU established a physical therapy rotation at the clinic,” said Drake. “Students and faculty from Georgia Regents come to the clinic one day a week to assist our patients with physical therapy. This gives the students hands-on experience, which is a big part of their overall education.” 

The Augusta business community also supports the services provided by CCHSA and understands the importance of access to health care and its impact and benefit to a productive workforce. 

“Businesses realize there is a significant need within the community for affordable health care.” said Drake. “We are providing medical care so people can stay healthy, keep their jobs, and support their families. Businesses look at this and see when people get the health care they need, it strengthens their ability to keep their jobs and impacts the entire community.”