Cahaba Medical Care Hosts First Annual Luncheon
By Sheila Duncan
Cahaba Medical Care held its first annual luncheon on Thursday, February 27th, at its training center.
Mayor Mike Oakley opened the event by highlighting the essential healthcare services Cahaba Medical Care provides to the community. He emphasized the organization’s growth and its commitment to serving those in need. Mayor Oakley also encouraged donations, explaining how contributions would support Cahaba Medical Care’s mission and help expand its healthcare services.
Dr. John Waits provided insight into Cahaba Medical Care’s journey since its founding. He shared impressive growth statistics, noting that the organization has expanded to 26 centers, serving more than 36,000 unique patients in 2022. From a modest staff of 11 in 2010, the organization has grown to 597 employees in 2023—254 of whom work in Bibb County—making Cahaba Medical Care the county’s fourth-largest employer. The organization also offers integrated mental and behavioral health services at all 26 centers. Dr. Waits also revealed plans for a new headquarters, training center, and Public Health Care Authority facility, which will further enhance services for the community.
The keynote speaker for the event was Martin Houston, who served as the Chief Growth Officer for Alabama One Credit Union. He played a pivotal role in the credit union’s expansion, growing its number of branches from 11 to 27, with nine more pending to open within 18 months. Alabama One transitioned from a $1 million annual loss to generating over $7 million in revenue, increasing its assets from $550 million to $1.2 billion.
Houston is now the CEO and Founder of M-Powerment Strategies & Solutions, which focuses on leadership training and coaching, where the motto is “we Speak. We Coach. We Train. We Assess Behaviors.” He is also an Executive Director for the John Maxwell Team, a motivational speaker, and the author of The Encouragement Factor: Give Me One More Inch. Additionally, he serves as the Lead Pastor of Harvest Church and hosts The Martin Houston Show. Houston is also the Chairman of CARE of Alabama, a nonprofit dedicated to financial wellness for students, families, and underserved communities.
A former standout football player at the University of Alabama, Houston was part of the 1989 and 1992 SEC Championship-winning teams and the 1992 National Championship team. He later signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers before an injury ended his football career. Today, he remains committed to his faith, family, and mission of leadership and empowerment.
The luncheon served as an opportunity to celebrate Cahaba Medical Care’s growth and future vision while recognizing the importance of community support in ensuring accessible healthcare for all.
