July 2026

A few weeks ago, we had the privilege of gathering with some of the people who made the Partnership Dental Clinic possible over the past 11 years. As we sat beneath the wall honoring our volunteers and supporters, stories were shared, old friends reconnected, and there was no shortage of laughter. It was a simple but meaningful afternoon to celebrate a program that touched thousands of lives.
The clinic was founded in 2015 by Dr. William Broadfoot and Dr. Joe Kirbo and, over the years, was carried forward by Dental Director Sheila Bruhl and an extraordinary team of volunteer dentists, hygienists, and dental assistants. Together, they made quality dental care possible for neighbors who otherwise may have gone without.
As many of you know, we officially closed the Partnership Dental Clinic at the end of May. It was a difficult decision, but one made after months of thoughtful evaluation. With limited volunteer capacity and an ever-growing wait list we could no longer meet the needs of our patients. As PHC looks ahead, we're focusing our resources on expanding primary and preventive medical care for uninsured adults across our region.
Even so, we don't believe this is the end of the story. We're encouraged by ongoing conversations with the Georgia Department of Public Health about new possibilities for expanding dental access in our community. While there's still work to do, we're hopeful these conversations will grow into a new opportunity in Autumn 2027.
To everyone who volunteered, supported the clinic, or trusted us with their care—thank you. The Partnership Dental Clinic leaves behind more than a decade of healthy smiles. It leaves behind a legacy of neighbors caring for neighbors, and that's something worth celebrating.

At Partnership Health Center, we believe patient-centered care is more than providing quality medical treatment. It's building a meaningful partnership with each patient as they navigate their health journey, especially when that journey becomes overwhelming.
Recently, Shan, Sherry, and Ashley demonstrated exactly what that partnership looks like. Working together, they supported a patient facing serious medical challenges and significant barriers to receiving care. Their efforts extended well beyond their day-to-day responsibilities, coordinating resources, advocating with outside providers, navigating complex systems, and helping remove obstacles that could have significantly disrupted the patient's care.
This kind of work often happens behind the scenes, but it reflects who we strive to be as an organization. We know that many of our patients need more than a medical appointment. They need someone willing to walk alongside them, helping them understand their options, overcome barriers, and stay connected to the care they need.
We're grateful for Shan, Sherry, and Ashley living out that commitment. Their teamwork, compassion, and advocacy are a wonderful example of what patient-centered care looks like at PHC.