Issue link: http://maconmagazine.uberflip.com/i/1544361
Dr. Keisha Reneé Callins is a distinguished obstetrician/ gynecologist and a tireless champion for public health, dedicated to serving rural and underserved communities in Georgia for over 20 years. She currently practices with Community Health Care Systems, Inc. (CHCS), a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) network in Central Georgia, where she also serves as Chief Wellness Officer. As the only OB/GYN regularly serving Twiggs and Jones counties, she is a vital link for patients in regions often classified as maternity care deserts. An esteemed educator and mentor, Dr. Callins is a professor in the Department of Community Medicine at the Mercer University School of Medicine, where she previously served as department chair. She is the former Joy McCann Endowed Professor and faculty advisor for multiple student groups, while holding adjunct faculty positions at training institutions across the state to guide the next generation of healthcare leaders. Her extensive record of service includes high-level gubernatorial appointments: Georgia Maternal and Infant Health Advisory Commission (2025), Sandra Dunagan Deal Early Language and Literacy Board (2017), and the Georgia Composite Medical Board (2014). Dr. Callins is also a past chair of the National Advisory Council for the National Health Service Corps and was a National Health Service Corps Scholar. She earned her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Virginia, a Master's in Public Health from the UAB School of Public Health, and her Doctor of Medicine from the Morehouse School of Medicine, where she also completed her residency at Grady Memorial Hospital as Chief Resident. She has participated in several leadership opportunities - Leadership Georgia (2015), MAG's Georgia Physicians Leadership Academy (2017), C.H.A.M.P.S. Transformational Healthcare Leadership Fellowship at Morehouse School of Medicine (2020), MSSNY Women's Physician Leadership Academy (2024), Women's Wellness Through Equity and Leadership Scholar (2024-2025), and the Climate and Health Equity Fellowship (2025). Her recent honors reflect her deep community impact: Georgia Women's Legislative Caucus/Nikki T. Randall Servant Leadership Award (2026), Outstanding Leadership and Legacy in the Community (2025), UAB School of Public Health Alumna of the Year (2024), Georgia House of Representatives 100 Phenomenal Women (2024), Macon Volunteer Clinic Healthcare Hero (2024), Inaugural Sandra Dunagan Deal Rural Service Fellow (2023). A sought-after speaker and author, Dr. Callins frequently contributes to national and statewide op-eds and presents at congressional briefings. Her work remains guided by her personal mission: "You may not be able to change the world, but you can change the world of everyone with whom you interact." Non-Negotiables Pick at least one you need to establish Nutrition: select a new food or supplement Image: select a new haircut, hair color, nail color, lip color Activity: make a commitment to an activity "come hell or high water" Sleep: make a pact such as"in bed before midnight." Hydration: make a contract with yourself about daily water/ electrolyte intake Recovery: make a pact about time for relaxation and restoration Finances: make a pact to help yourself or get help to guide you Faith: Schedule time and connect with people who help to anchor your beliefs Flexibility: schedule activities that challenge you (yoga, pilates, elliptical) Family: set and keep boundaries for the blood family and chosen family Friends: make a scheduled time for friends (text or talk) Fika: make a plan for intentional rest (can be 5 minutes or 50 minutes) Write your own: Dr. Keisha R. Callins, MD, MPH April/May 2026 | maconmagazine.com 29