Mirian Worthy

Back in the 1970s, Mirian Worthy made it her mission to bring affordable, quality health care to those in need in Albany, Ga. She took steps to establish a community health center, forming a board, helping prepare a grant and submitting proposals.

Worthy's influence in the community brought in donations of land, buildings, funds and other support to establish Albany Area Primary Health Care in 1979.

The nonprofit corporation provides various health services – including primary care, obstetrics/gynecology and dentistry – to more than 33,000 people a year, regardless of their financial status. Uninsured and low-income patients qualify for a discount payment program.

Worthy, a longtime nursing professor at Albany State University, has played an integral part in the nonprofit’s growth for more than 30 years and has served in many roles.

In 2009, Albany Area Primary Health Care honored Worthy by naming its women’s health center after her. Today the nonprofit operates in 14 locations, in six southwest Georgia counties.