Dr. Garrett Bennett has been sworn in to the Georgia Board of Health Care Workforce by Governor Brian Kemp.

The purpose of the 15 member Board is to see that Georgia communities, especially in medically underserved areas, have improved access to needed physicians and other health care practitioners.

Originally started in 1978 as the Joint Board of Family Practice, it was changed to the Georgia Board for Physician Workforce in 1999. In 2011, the powers and duties of the State Medical Education Board were transferred to the GBPW. Then, loan repayment programs for dentists were added to the Board in 2016, and programs for physician assistants (PA) and advanced practice registered nurses (APRN) were officially added to the Board’s jurisdiction in 2017. To reflect its more inclusive nature of other health care professions, it became the Georgia Board of Health Care Workforce in 2019.

A native of central Florida, Dr. Bennett is a graduate of Richmond Hill High School in Bryan County, Ga., the University of Georgia and Mercer University School of Medicine. Currently, he is an attending physician at Miller County Medical Center in Colquitt. He previously practiced at Lifebrite Community Hospital of Early in Blakely.

Dr. Bennett is the son of Gary and Donna Bennett of Morriston, Fla. His wife, the former Dana Ginn of Calhoun County, is a graduate of Southwest Georgia Academy and is a physical therapist at Colquitt Therapy Services. The Bennetts live in Early County with their daughters Devyn, Blaire and Brynley.

Editor’s Note [Early County News]: Our area is historically underrepresented in state government. It is a credit to us to have such a capable, compassionate doctor from our area serving on this important board. This seat can have a great impact on healthcare in rural Georgia. We are grateful Dr. Bennett accepted the Governor’s Appointment. Our community is in his debt.