Dr. Jackson Griggs & the Family Health Center
Dr. Jackson Griggs & the Family Health Center: Health Solid Gold Neighbor
Holly Burchett, Director of Community Relations
Family Health Center was founded in 1969 through a coalition of community leaders with various backgrounds aiming to address a shortage of doctors and a lack of primary care access to the less fortunate. Today, they have 15 remote clinics across McLennan County where they focus on a mission "to increase access to, and availability of high quality comprehensive primary and preventative health care for the vulnerable of the Heart of Texas and to provide an excellent educational, training, and research environment in the medical, dental and behavioral health fields."
Like any thriving organization addressing city-wide needs, innovative leadership is critical, and Family Health Center has had a history of strength and commitment to the vision of advancing care and access for all community members at the helm. After 13 years of providing medical care to some of Waco's most health vulnerable and teaching the next generation of physicians, Dr. Jackson Griggs was named CEO of Family Health Center. Like many citizens in Waco, I had the good fortune of meeting Dr. Griggs in 2017, when my youngest son was born. He walked into the room, along with many resident physicians and began to assess our newly born infant. After our first visit, I knew we were under some of the best care in Waco.
Jackson was born the only son and the youngest of four to parents that he openly describes as playful, disciplined, and deeply faithful people. He reported,"my father instilled in all of his children delight in challenging work, loyalty to virtuous friends and institutions and a standard of impeccable integrity in all endeavors. My mother loved us with indefatigable buoyancy and joy, and constantly tended to the needs of family and community."
After attending medical school, he came to Waco as a family medicine resident, expecting to leave after three years. Dr. Griggs shared, "two groups of people anchored me to Waco and the Family Health Center: those providing medical care and those receiving it…Family Health Center physicians and staff exemplify such a compelling loving-of-neighbor that I couldn't help but want to be in the ranks. And the patients FHC serves, largely living below the poverty level, are people of heroic character, grit, and goodness."
Family Health Center continues to be innovative as they partner with organizations such as the World Hunger Relief Farm, Inc. to provide prescriptions for vegetables - a creative approach to nutrition and diabetes management for the patients that receive care at FHC. During the growing season, bundles of locally grown veggies are offered and distributed along with recipes at select FHC sites.
"Personally, this opportunity to serve our community and those in the sacred work of healthcare is bringing me deep delight. I plan to persevere together with our community until health is an accessible reality for all," Griggs said.