Dr. Grant Scarborough, Founder & Executive Director
A native of Columbus, Dr. Grant Scarborough graduated from the University of Georgia with a degree in Biology. Immediately following graduation, he spent two years on staff with Young Life in metro-Atlanta. It was during this time that Grant became involved in an outreach effort to the homeless of downtown Atlanta, and soon felt called to actively work with and for the underserved around him. After seeking the counsel of several trusted advisors, Grant came to believe that this calling would lead him to practice medicine. Dr. Scarborough earned his medical degree from Mercer Medical School in 2003, completed his internal medicine and pediatric residency at the University of Tennessee – Memphis, and finished his Med/Peds residency at the University of Tennessee in June 2007. In the fall of 2007, Dr. Scarborough returned to Georgia as co-founder of Christ Community Health Services of Augusta. The next four years would see the addition of providers and staff alike, with tens of thousands of patient lives impacted for the glory of God through CCHS. After several years in Augusta, Dr. Scarborough and his family felt the call of the Lord again, this time to Columbus, where they moved in July of 2011. As a board certified pediatrician and internal medicine physician, Grant desires to see God glorified through caring for the poor and discipling young medical students to do the same.
Tony Nguyen, Practice Administrator
Tony was born in Vietnam and immigrated to the United States in 1981. He received a B.S. in Physical Education from The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina, in 1999 and a B.S. in Biology from Columbus State University in 2011. After graduating from The Citadel, Tony commissioned as a second lieutenant in the United States Army as an Infantry Officer where he spent 7 years on Active Duty. His assignments included 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry at Fort Carson, Colorado and the 75th Ranger Regiment at Fort Benning, Georgia with several combat tours in Afghanistan and Iraq. Tony is currently a Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Army Reserve. Tony is a youth wrestling coach for the Harris County Tigers and the Highland Hawkeyes. He is married to Linda Nguyen, who is an attorney at Page Scrantom Sprouse Tucker and Ford PC. Together, they have three kids, Tyler, Allie, and Jessica.
Dr. Sarah Barr, Steam Mill Road Location – Family Medicine
Dr. Barr is a native of Chicago, IL and has been in the Columbus area since 1995. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Cedarville University in 1987 and her Medical Doctorate from the University of Illinois at Chicago in 1991. After her internship in Kalamazoo, MI, Dr. Barr served in the United States Army for five years and then completed her training in Family Medicine at The Medical Center in Columbus. In her free time, she enjoys reading, woodworking, gardening, watching sports and spending time with her family.
She is board certified by the American Board of Family Medicine. Dr. Barr is a member of the American Academy of Family Physicians, Georgia Academy of Family Physicians, Christian Medical Association, and Wilderness Medical Society.
Dr. Joyce Kim
Dr. Kim graduated from Case Western Reserve University in 2009 with a B.A. in Music and Anthropology. She then completed medical training at the Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine in 2013. After a transitional year at University Hospitals Richmond Medical center in Cleveland, Ohio, she finished Family Medicine residency at Resurrection Health in Memphis, Tennessee. She was challenged during her time at Resurrection to think about healthcare not simply for humanitarian reasons, but as a means to provide excellent medical care for the poor in the name of Jesus. She is equally challenged at MercyMed to work in a way that communicates the love of Christ. We love having Dr. Kim in Columbus!
Meghan Brooks, PA-C
Meghan was born in Houston, Texas but grew up here in Columbus, Georgia. She graduated with her Bachelor of Science degree from Auburn University in 2010. She then attended Trevecca Nazarene University in Nashville, Tennessee where she achieved her Masters of Science Medicine, Physician Assistant graduating with Cum Laude honors. Meghan’s hobbies include running, hanging out with family and friends and leading youth at Crosspointe Church.
Lauren Bandi, PA-C
Lauren Bandi comes to MercyMed from Pittsburgh, PA via Nashville, TN. Lauren earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Penn State University and a Master of Science in Medicine from Trevecca Nazarene University in Nashville, TN. Lauren started seeing patients at MercyMed in October of 2014. When asked about her practice, Lauren states “I love primary care and pediatrics because of the relationships you form with patients and also never knowing what you’ll be treating next. I want to be forced outside my comfort zone daily. It helps me to grow and reminds me that medicine is more than just the physical health, but also the mental and spiritual health of every person I meet.”
Jeff Barkhouse, FNP – Family Nurse Practicioner
Jeff Barkhouse is a Family Nurse Practitioner from Raleigh, NC. Jeff got his Bachelor of Science in Nursing at The University of North Carolina at Charlotte and his Masters as a Family Nurse Practitioner at The University of South Carolina. He and his wife, Sara, have four children and all are currently living in the Columbus area. Jeff and Sara moved to Columbus right after marrying and lived here for five years before going to the Balkans in 1996 to minister among Albanians. They worked as missionaries, mainly in Kosovo, for twenty years helping to start a church in Ferizaj, Kosovo, a predominately Muslim country. While overseas doing church planting and English teaching Jeff was ordained in the Presbyterian Church in America and their home church in Columbus is St. Andrews Presbyterian Church (SAPC). Jeff and Sara returned to Columbus in 2016 and, with the help of the MercyMed team, he has resumed his career as a Nurse Practitioner while continuing to minister as needed at SAPC. The unique opportunity to combine health care and spiritual care at MercyMed has been a great opportunity to combine otherwise divergent career tracks. Jeff likes to run, cycle, and hang out with family in his spare time.
Rev R. Jay Hearn, Chaplain and Director of Mental Health Department
Jay is a retired Army Chaplain and is a Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT). He obtained a communication degree from Baylor University in Waco, Texas and a Masters of Divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. Jay entered active duty as an Army Chaplain in March 1993 and served 23 years in this role. In 2002 the Army sent Jay to Tarleton State University where he obtained a Master’s of Science in Psychology, with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Counseling. Jay served both as a marriage counselor and later as a clinical supervisor at Fort Benning’s Family Life Chaplain Training Center. Jay has been married to his wife Karen for over 31 years and they have three grown children. Jay serves as an Elder at CrossPointe Church here in Columbus. As a licensed MFT, who is also trained in working with people suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Jay seeks to assist MercyMed to minister to the whole patient by focusing his attention on the spiritual and emotional needs portion of our mission statement.
Jimmy Bone, Office Manager – Mission Columbus location
Jimmy is married with 2 children and a graduate of Auburn University. Jimmy brings a wealth of experience to MercyMed. He has over 11 years of pharma sales experience, and he is the former owner of a local restaurant. Jimmy is an ordained deacon and member of Christ Community Church. He enjoys working with international groups and teaching English as a second language. His favorite Bible verse: …let your light shine before men, so they may see your good works and praise your Father in heaven. Mathew 5:16.
Billy Holbrook, Director of Development
Billy graduated Columbus State University in 2004 and went on to spend nearly 10 years in the payments industry at TSYS. In December of 2014, he joined the MercyMed staff as Director of Development. He and his wife Megan, along with their three children, are members of Highland Community Church – a low income church in the North Highland neighborhood of Columbus right around the corner from MercyMed. Billy is responsible for fundraising, community awareness projects, and donor relations. Telling the MercyMed story over lunch is his favorite part of the job.
Kristy Jones, RN – Head Nurse
Kristy, being a former Indiana Hoosier, has spent the past 20 years in Columbus with her husband and three children. She graduated from Columbus Technical College in 2010 with an Associate Degree in Nursing. She took her first job with Columbus Regional working as a Special Care/NICU nurse. Serving the pediatric population remains her love and is by far, her happy place.
Kristy came to MercyMed in 2013 as a nurse volunteer which quickly turned into joining on as staff. She has a deep appreciation for the many ways this ministry profoundly impacts the community and is most grateful to serve alongside a team who truly love to serve those in need.
