Dr. G. Scott Morris

December 2012 Commencement Speaker: Dr. G. Scott Morris

Dr. Morris is founder and Executive Director of the Church Health Center in Memphis, TN, which opened in 1987 to provide quality, affordable healthcare for working, uninsured people and their families. Thanks to a broad base of financial support from the faith community, and the volunteer help of doctors, nurses, dentists and others, the Center has grown to become the largest faith-based clinic of its type in the country. Currently, the Center cares for over 55,000 patients without relying on government funding.

Church Health Center Wellness, the Center's 80,000-square-foot, comprehensive wellness ministry, won the 2003 Innovations in Prevention Award from the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services. CHC Wellness offers everything from personalized exercise plans and cooking classes to group exercise classes and activities for children and teens. Fees are charged on a sliding scale based on family size and income. More than 100,000 member visits are recorded annually.

The MEMPHIS Plan is the Church Health Center’s employer-sponsored healthcare plan for small business and the self-employed. By relying on donated services from volunteer doctors and area hospitals and laboratories, the MEMPHIS Plan offers uninsured people in lower-wage jobs access to quality, affordable healthcare. More than 5,000 people and their dependents are enrolled on the plan and about 1,200 businesses participate.

The Center’s Faith Community Outreach staff provides the support, consultation and education to start or strengthen health ministries in congregations. Since 1988, more than 800 Congregational Health Promoters have been trained to be health leaders within their congregations.

Dr. Morris has an undergraduate degree from the University of Virginia; Master of Divinity degree from Yale University; M.D. from Emory University; board-certified family practitioner; and ordained United Methodist minister. He writes a monthly column for the Memphis Commercial Appeal.