On Feb. 4, 2019, Johns Creek resident Catherine Christie, M.D., assumed the position of chief medical officer at Mercy Care, a community health center with a network of primary care and behavioral health clinics that serve the uninsured and underinsured across greater Atlanta.

In her role, Dr. Christie is responsible for developing and executing the community health center’s medical strategy to drive the highest standard of health care. Mae Morgan, M.D., who has been Mercy Care's chief medical officer for more than 12 years, is retiring Feb. 15, 2019.

Board-certified in internal medicine, Dr. Christie has worked exclusively with organizations that directly address the health inequities faced by vulnerable families in underserved communities. She comes to Mercy Care from Hampton Roads Community Health Center in Portsmouth, Virginia, where she served as chief medical officer from 2012 to 2019. Prior to her promotion at Hampton Roads, Dr. Christie served as the director of medication services from 2005 to 2012. She started her career at Eastern Shore Rural Health Community Health Center in Nassawadox, Virginia, as an internist from 2000 to 2005, while also serving as clinical director at Eastern Shores Bayview location from 2003 to 2005. "Coming from a community health center, Dr. Christie understands the struggles our patients go through to overcome barriers to good health like poverty, education, and access to healthy food," said Alan Bradford, Mercy Care president. "She also exhibits good leadership qualities, innovation in patient care, and has a strong reputation for quality care and service." After receiving two undergraduate degrees, one in chemistry and the other in human and organizational development from Vanderbilt University, Dr. Christie earned her medical doctorate from the University of Tennessee College of Medicine and completed her internal medicine residency at Atlanta Medical Center from 1997 to 2000.

She also is a member of the American College of Physicians, American Health Care Executives and the American Association of Physician Leadership. Dr. Christie is enthusiastic about returning to Atlanta to continue her passion for improving the health of America’s most vulnerable communities.

About Mercy Care

 Mercy Care has been a healing presence among Atlanta's homeless and uninsured since 1985. As coverage and access to care issues persist, a growing number of families and individuals rely on Mercy Care to meet their need for affordable healthcare. Mercy Care's network of 11 fixed and mobile clinics, provides primary care, behavioral health, child and adolescent psychiatry, and dental and vision services as well as an array of critical wrap-around services and case management. Self-pay discounts are offered based on income and all major insurance plans are accepted including Medicaid and Medicare. In 2017, Mercy Care provided services to nearly 14,000 patients, 79% of whom were uninsured and 70% were homeless.