Robins Region Healthcare Workers Advocate for Their Community

Through community programs alone – which range from helping residents manage diabetes, leading child-birthing classes or holding glucose and blood pressure screenings – Houston Healthcare alone reaches more than 30,000 people annually.

“Our mission is to improve the health care of the community we serve, and we take that very seriously,†says Charles Briscoe, the CEO of Houston Healthcare, which began as a community hospital and, over the past five decades, has grown into a health care system with seven entities that serves 300,000 people a year.

Here’s a closer look at how health care and community intersect in Warner Robins.

Serving the Military Community

Orthopedic Doctor Todd Kinnebrew with OrthoGeorgia has been practicing in the community for more than 30 years. Since 2000, he’s witnessed the population in the region grow by 40%. He says with the presence of the Robins Air Force Base and a strong military presence, the community does a solid job stepping up and making sure newcomers feel welcome.

As a board-certified orthopedic surgeon with special interests in sports medicine, total joint reconstruction and fracture care, Kinnebrew says he’s proud to provide care for military members.

“We do a lot of outreach to let the military know that we honor and support them,†says Kinnebrew, who, himself, comes from a military family.

Kinnebrew also founded the Hayneville JamFest, which, in its fifth year in 2020, brings bands and food trucks for a day of live music.

The event benefits the local Museum of Aviation Foundation, which opened in 1984 and is the second largest museum in the United States Air Force, with fighter, bomber, reconnaissance, cargo and other types of aircraft on display to the public.

Creating Opportunities for Young Talent

Peter Tran’s first glimpse into the health care field was when he was 13 years old and he had a three-wheeler accident, which landed him in the ER to treat a laceration on his left hand. From the ER care to the physical therapy process, he got an overview of what went into the treatment and healing process from a patient’s perspective.

“It was so inspiring to me to see everything that went into health care and to get me back to tip-top shape,†he says.

Now, he’s the associate administrator of support services at Houston Healthcare – where his wife is doing her residency.

Tran grew up in the Robins Region and has seen how the community has grown and flourished over the years. Before returning to the region, he earned multiple degrees, including a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Georgia, a Master of Public Health from Mercer University and a dual Master of Business Administration and Health Administration from Georgia State University.

He began as an intern at the hospital, and Houston Healthcare ultimately created the support services position for him, a role in which he works with the executive team to make sure the hospital is providing the necessary health care services his hometown needs.

Tran is also a graduate of the chamber’s Leadership Robins Region 2019 class and was named the Robins Regional Rockstar of the Year last year. Tran says the Robins Regional Chamber is an asset to the community as it connects leaders from different industries to support economic growth in the area.

Anticipating Needs

At Houston Healthcare, anticipating community needs is a top priority, Briscoe says. As an example, the hospital system will be adding a fourth med-stop, planned for the Bonaire area, is investing in an Air Evac medical helicopter service to serve rural areas, and holds regular meetings with the 78th Medical Group at Robins Air Force Base to best understand community health needs.

“We are a busy and growing hospital system, and we’re proud to serve Houston County,†Briscoe says.

If you’d like to learn more about the Robins Region area, check out the latest edition of Livability: Robins Region.