Cahaba Medical Care Opens New Psychiatry Center in Woodstock
By Savannah Logan
On Friday, October 25, Cahaba Medical Care celebrated the grand opening of its new Psychiatry Center in Woodstock, marking a significant expansion of mental health services for rural Alabama. The event, attended by local community members, leaders, and healthcare advocates, showcased Cahaba’s commitment to addressing critical mental health needs in underserved areas.
Dr. John B. Waits, CEO of Cahaba Medical Care, began the ceremony with a warm welcome and provided an overview of the organization’s mission. He introduced Dr. Rountree, the center’s psychiatrist, whose Alabama roots and dedication to rural mental healthcare inspired him to join Cahaba’s team. Dr. Rountree recently became a double board-certified psychiatrist, specializing in both adult and child/adolescent psychiatry, a qualification that uniquely positions him to meet the mental health needs of a diverse patient population in Woodstock and surrounding communities.
Cheryl Dodson, Executive Director of the Alabama Suicide Prevention and Resources Coalition (ASPARC), shared her perspective on the importance of the new center, noting how its presence enhances local resources in suicide prevention. Dodson has been actively involved in mental health advocacy, particularly in response to issues highlighted by the S-Town podcast, which brought national attention to mental health needs in the area. She emphasized her gratitude for the center’s presence, which she sees as a vital support for her organization’s work.
Senator April Weaver, who has collaborated with Cahaba Medical Care for nearly two decades, also spoke at the event. She praised Dr. Waits and Cahaba’s co-founder and COO, Dr. Lacy Smith, for their longstanding efforts to improve healthcare access in Bibb County. Senator Weaver reflected on the strides made together in behavioral and mental health services and reaffirmed her commitment to pursuing legislative and funding opportunities that will further enhance care in rural Alabama.
Cahaba Medical Care has become widely recognized for its integrated behavioral health approach, which includes placing counselors in clinics and school-based health clinics. In Bibb County, the urgent need for expanded mental health and psychiatry services, as exposed by the S-Town podcast, inspired Cahaba to establish a new psychiatry program. Dr. Rountree, who joined the team a year ago, will anchor this program at the Woodstock center, where he will also play a key role in Cahaba’s new psychiatry training initiative.
