Giving Health names former CDC scientist Dr. Minda Reed as executive director

Giving Health appointed Dr. Minda Reed, a former CDC Health Scientist, as its new executive director on Nov. 3, 2026, to expand telehealth access for uninsured and low-income Georgians. The nonprofit says Reed will help deepen outreach, strengthen partnerships and advance free virtual care across underserved parts of the state.

Why it matters: - Giving Health is trying to close care gaps for uninsured and low-income Georgians who live at or below 200% of the federal poverty level. - Free virtual primary care, urgent care and mental health services can reduce reliance on emergency rooms for problems that could be treated earlier and at lower cost. - The new leadership shift comes as Georgia continues to face transportation barriers, provider shortages and rural access challenges.

What happened: - Giving Health named Dr. Minda Reed as its new executive director on Nov. 3, 2026. - Reed spent more than a decade as a Health Scientist at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. - Her CDC work included evaluation strategy and technical support for state and local public health programs nationwide.

The details: - Giving Health is a telehealth nonprofit serving underserved communities across Georgia. - The organization provides free virtual primary care, urgent care and mental health services. - Eligibility focuses on uninsured and low-income Georgians living at or below 200% of the federal poverty level. - The nonprofit uses telehealth to connect patients with trusted healthcare providers and reduce access barriers tied to geography and transportation. - Michael Giglio, a co-founder and former executive director, will stay on as director of telehealth services. - Reed earned a Doctor of Medicine from Ross University School of Medicine, a Master of Public Health from Emory University's Rollins School of Public Health and a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Duke University. - Giving Health is a member of the Georgia Charitable Care Network, a statewide alliance of free and charitable clinics. - More information is available on Giving Health's website. - The organization also listed contact email support@givinghealth.org and social accounts on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube.

Between the lines: - Reed's background in evaluation, quality improvement, prevention and overdose strategy suggests Giving Health wants a leader who can pair public health expertise with operational growth. - Keeping Giglio in a service-focused role may help preserve continuity while the nonprofit expands. - The hire signals an effort to move from broad mission language to measurable reach in the communities most likely to fall through the cracks.

What's next: - Giving Health plans to deepen its reach into underserved communities. - The nonprofit also plans to strengthen partnerships across medical and public health sectors. - Reed will lead efforts to advance access to care for Georgia's most vulnerable residents.

The bottom line: - Giving Health is betting that a CDC-trained public health leader can help scale its telehealth model for Georgians who have the hardest time getting care.