About Us

Escambia Community Clinics, Inc. is a Community Health Center providing quality comprehensive primary and preventative health care services to residents of Escambia County and the surrounding areas. Escambia Community Clinics, Inc. is committed to assuring access to care for the medically needy, under insured, uninsured, and under-served populations.

Escambia Community Clinics, Inc. is a medical group made up of primary care Physicians, Advanced Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants. The medical group along with staff consisting of Nurses, Medical Technologists, and Medical Assistants is one of the best sources from which to choose a health care professional.

History

Escambia Community Clinics, Inc. is a not for profit Florida health care corporation established in January 1991 and opened for service in November 1992. The Escambia Community Clinics, Inc. is located at 2200 North Palafox Street, Pensacola, Florida. Recently, Escambia Community Clinics, Inc. was designated as a Federally Qualified Health Center by the Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration.

As A Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) Escambia Community Clinics, Inc. will expand access to care for the medically needy, under insured and working poor citizens of our area. Escambia Community Clinic's fifteen year history of providing outpatient primary care services to the medically needy and working poor citizens of our community served as a positive factor in obtaining grant funding.

The mission of Escambia Community Clinics, Inc. is to provide quality outpatient primary and acute health care services to citizens of Escambia County and surrounding area. Escambia Community Clinics, Inc. has a special focus to provide access to care for the under insured, un-insured, indigent and the medically needy regardless of their ability to pay for services.

As an FQHC our mission remains the same however, we will now be responsible for expanding services to our patients. One of the significant changes is that patients will be eligible to pay for services based on a "sliding fee" schedule. This will benefit our community by making care available to the working poor and medically needy at a significantly lower cost.

Staff

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Don Turner
Mr. Turner received his Bachelor of Science, Health Care Administration from the University of Southern Illinois and is a Graduate of the Naval School of Health Sciences. Mr. Turner is a retired Naval Officer from the Medical Services Corp. Mr. Turner served in various capacities during his naval career including Chief Financial Officer, Officer in Charge of outpatient clinics and member of the Medical Inspector General's team. Mr. Turner joined the Escambia Community Clinics in 1993. He is married, has two sons, and two beautiful grand daughters. Mr.Turner enjoys reading, hunting, and sports.

MEDICAL DIRECTOR
George A.W. Smith, M.D., F.A.A.F.P.
Dr. George Smith is presently Medical Director of Escambia Community Clinics, where the mission is to provide compassionate care for patients regardless of their ability to pay. He attended the University of the West Indies in Kingston Jamaica where he received an MB.,BS., with honors in Community Health. He subsequently did a rotating internship and worked in ambulatory care at the Princess Margaret Hospital in Nassau Bahamas before his residency at Howard University Hospital in Washington DC. There he was selected as Most Outstanding intern and served as Chief Resident. He is board certified in family practice and is also a Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians. He was chosen as the 2006 Florida Family Physician of the year by the Florida Academy of Family Physician.

Before coming to Escambia Community Clinic Dr. Smith was a Captain for two years at the 88th Fighter Hospital at Holloman Air force Base in New Mexico. He currently serves on the FSU College of Medicine community board for the Pensacola Regional Campus and the Northwest Florida AHEC board of which he is a past president. He was appointed to the Escambia County Legislative Task Force on indigent care and continued on the Access Escambia board after the task force was dissolved.

Dr. Smith has been on medical mission trips to Mexico City and Cairo where he was recognized by the Governor of Giza. He is assistant clinical professor with the University of Florida and Florida State University and preceptors medical students, physician assistants and nurse practitioners. He attends Liberty Church where he is a small group leader and serves in hospitality. He is married and has four children.

STAFF PHYSICIAN
Manuel C. Abendan, M.D.
Dr. Abendan earned his medical degree from Southwestern University, Cebu City, Philippines and completed his residency training at Memorial Medical Center in Corpus Christi, Texas. Dr. Abendan is a member of the Florida Medical Association and is an outstanding member of the Association of Phillippine Physicians of Florida. Dr. Abendan enjoys traveling and spending time with his family.

STAFF PHYSICIAN
Regulo Calaycay, M.D.
Dr. Calaycay earned his medical degree from the University of Santo Tomas, Manilla, Phillippines and completed his residency training at Louis A. Weiss Memorial Hospital, Chicago, Illinois.  Dr. Calaycay is a member of the Florida Medical Association and is an outstanding member of the Association of Phillippine Physicians of Florida.   Dr. Calaycay enjoys reading, traveling and spending time with his family. 

STAFF PHYSICIAN
Rogelio D. Samson, M.D.
Dr. Samson earned his medical degree from the Manila Central University, Manila, Philippines and completed his residency training at Norwegian-American Hospital, Chicago, Illinois. Dr. Samson has special interests in preventative medicine, and total family care. Dr. Samson is a fellow in the American Academy of Family Practice, and is an outstanding member of the Association of Phillippine Physicians of Florida. Dr. Samson enjoys reading, golfing and a healthy lifestyle with his family.

PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT
Michael Busby, P.A.
Mike Busby attended the United States Air Force Physicians Assistant training program in Wichita Falls, Texas. He completed his clinical rotations at the United States Air Force Academy and earned his Masters Degree in Physicians Assistant studies from the University of Nebraska, specializing in Family Practice. Mike has practiced as a Physicians Assistant since 1995. Mike is married with two sons. He enjoys riding motorcycles, snow skiing, traveling and reading.

PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT
Don Hess, P.A.
Don attended Pensacola Junior College, earned his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Florida, and Physician Assistant degree from the University of Alabama. Don's experience included the Montgomery Surgery Associates and Vascular Surgery for over 24 years. Don is married and has two children and is a recent grandfather. Don enjoys running, fishing, and playing with his new grand child.

NURSE PRACTITIONER
Danniel Mines, A.R.N.P.
Danniel received his nursing education and graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of South Alabama. Dan is a member of the Florida Nurses Association and the American Nurses Association. Dan served 24 years in the Navy and after a tour in Iraq he retired in Pensacola. He has been an ARNP with Escambia Community Clinics since 2003. Dan is originally from Nebraska, and is married with two children. The family hobbies include ANY amusement thrill ride and boating. He is an avid reader and enjoys all outdoor activities.

NURSE PRACTITIONER
Charlene Echols, A.R.N.P.
Charlene received her nursing education from Samford University in Birmingham, the University of Alabama in Birmingham and the University of South Alabama. She is Nationally Certified as a Family Nurse Practitioner. Before joining the staff of Escambia Community Clinics, Charlene was the Director of Employee Health Services at Baptist Hospital, Nurse Practitioner and Director of Public Health Nursing for Santa Rosa County Health Department and most recently she was in the private practice of dermatology. Charlene enjoys teaching, everything from health classes for kindergarten kids to serving as the preceptor for nurse practitioner students. Charlene is active in the community through activities with Leadership Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Healthy Start Coalition, Northwest Florida Area Health Education Council and she managed the Special Needs Shelters during Hurricanes. Charlene and her husband, Lyndall, have five sons, and four grandchildren. Charlene enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, and listening to books on tape during her commute from Milton.

NURSE PRACTITIONER
Catherine Voght, A.R.N.P.
Cathy attended Pensacola Junior College, University of South Alabama, and the University of West Florida. Cathy is a certified Family Practice Nurse Practitioner and a Certified Registered Rehabilitation Nurse. Cathy has been with Escambia Community Clinics for the past three years. Cathy is married. She enjoys spending time with her family including her 3 dogs, Rip, Tai, and Butch. She enjoys anything outdoors, golfing and water sports. Cathy loves a good book and going to the movies.

NURSE PRACTITIONER
Laurie Seigh, Certified Nurse-Midwife
Laurie earned her BSN from Villanova University and her MSN from the University of Pennsylvania as a Women's Health Nurse Practitioner. Laurie's postmaster's is from the University of Florida. Laurie worked for seven years at a private OB/GYN practice in Jacksonville. Laurie's husband is active duty navy and currently serves as a Flight Surgeon at Pensacola Naval Air Station Training Wing 6. Laurie and her husband have two sons, ages 8 and 7. Laurie enjoys spending time with her family and hobbies with her family including martial arts, Tae Kwon Do and triathalons.

NURSE PRACTITIONER
Owen J. Light, A.R.N.P.
Joe graduated from the University of West Florida with a Bachelor's Degree in Biology. Two Master's Degrees, Public Administration; Nursing Science. Joe is currently studying as a psychiatric specialty nurse practitioner at the University of South Alabama. Joe is an avid outdoorsman and enjoys gardening and riding his motorcycle.

NURSE PRACTITIONER 
Jennifer A. Spencer, A.R.N.P.
Jennifer A. Spencer is presently employed with Escambia Community Clinic. Jennifer joined ECC in June 2009 as an Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner where she provides quality care and education to patients across the age span and economical boundaries. While working as a registered Nurse, she completed her Master's Degree in Nursing from the University of South Alabama in December, 2008. Jennifer has been Board Certified as a Family Nurse Practitioner by the American Nurse Credentialing Center in Silver Springs, MD. She enjoys spending time with her husband and two year old son.

NURSE PRACTITIONER
Vicki Merold, A.R.N.P.-C
Vicki Merold is presently employed with Escambia Community clinics, Inc. Vicki joined ECC in July 2009. Vicki completed her master's degree in nursing specializing in family practice in December 2004. She certified in Family practice through the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners in 2005. she has worked in cardiology from 2005 to 2009 before joining ECC as a family practice nurse practitioner.

Vicki initially became a registered nurse in 1980, graduating from PJC school of nursing with an associate degree in nursing. she graduated from the University of West Florida with a BSN in 1999. Vicki has worked as an RN in critical care from 1981 to 2005, working in cardiac intensive care and trauma care. As a nurse practitioner she has worked in cardiology, in Emergency care, and in family practice.

Vicki enjoys doing work with her church and summer camping programs. She and her husband enjoy camping and hiking, and have two children and one grandson.

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
Sheila Brown, CFO 
Sheila graduated from Henderson State University in Arkansas with a Bachelor of Business Administration. She joined Escambia Community Clinics in 2005 as the Chief Financial Officer. Sheila is married and has two sons, one in high school and one at FSU . Sheila enjoys spending time with her family, a good movie and shopping.

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
Colleen Betz, BS, MSM
Colleen graduated from University of West Florida in 1985 with a Bachelor's Degree in Medical Technology, and in 2005 from Troy University with a Masters Degree in Health Care Management. Colleen joined the ECC staff as the Laboratory Supervisor in 1999. She became Chief Operating Officer in 2005. Colleen enjoys camping and outdoor activities.

SOCIAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT
GRANTS AND DEVELOPMENT MANAGER
Chandra Ryan, MSW
Chandra graduated from Auburn University in 1997 with a Bachelor's Degree in Social Work, and Florida State University in 2000 with a Masters Degree in Social Work. Chandra has worked in various arenas of the Social Work profession including school readiness programs, hospitals, homeless, and people with disabilities. Chandra is married with two beautiful daughters who have brought the true meaning of life and love to her family. Chandra enjoys working in her garden, running, kayaking and most importantly, spending time with her family.