DePaul Community Health Centers Joins Community Health Centers of Arkansas, Expanding Healthcare Access in South Arkansas
- Katrina Dupins
- 9 hours ago
- 3 min read
Community Health Centers of Arkansas (CHCA) is proud to announce that Marillac Community Health Centers, dba DePaul Community Health Centers, a New Orleans-based Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), has officially joined its network as of March 2026. The organization is led by CEO Michael G. Griffin, MSPH, DSc, FACHE, and has already expanded its mission across state lines to serve rural communities in South Arkansas.
The expansion marks a significant step in advancing healthcare missions across borders, with DePaul Community Health Centers currently operating clinic locations in both Desha and Lincoln counties. Operating under the name Daughters of Charity Health Centers, the organization opened a clinic in Gould in 1990 and one in Dumas in 1992. The name of the health centers in both Arkansas and New Orleans changed to DePaul Community Health Centers in 2019. These clinics provide essential services to populations in need, including primary care, telehealth, dental services, pharmacy, and treatment for chronic conditions such as heart disease, kidney disease, hypertension, diabetes, and HIV.
"We are excited to have Dr. Griffin on board as a CHCA member," said Lanita White, Pharm.D., chief executive officer of CHCA. "He is someone who listens, observes, and serves thoughtfully. He's good at seeing the bigger picture and is laser-focused on unifying for a strong network that will benefit healthcare for all. In 2020, his organization served more than 50,000 patients, a testament to the scale and impact the organization brings to the CHCA network."
Dr. Griffin was born and raised in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He developed a passion for caring at an early age, and he credits his parents for that. His father was a preacher; his mother was a teacher.
"I've always wanted to give back to the community, to help as much as I can. That's what drove me into the field of healthcare," Dr. Griffin said.
Dr. Griffin brings extensive experience to the Arkansas network, having spent the past 18 years working in community health to reestablish and redevelop healthcare infrastructure in neighborhoods and communities. He is looking forward to continuing his work with CHCA and the Arkansas Primary Care Association and to continuing his work of providing healthcare to those in greatest need in these communities.
"We need community health centers as a model for community health," Dr. Griffin said. "Healthcare is local. Having healthcare provided by individuals who live in that community and having the policy and programming decided by boards and individuals in those communities is pivotal to the improvement and maintenance of the health status of all who live there."
Dr. Griffin noted that while urban and rural healthcare settings, such as Dumas, population 4,500, and Gould, population 600, share similarities, where DePaul currently serves, the specific needs of rural communities require dedicated communication and growth.
About Community Health Centers of Arkansas
CHCA, the Primary Care Association for Arkansas, is a nonprofit organization established in 1985. CHCA works to expand access to affordable, quality health care while serving as a unified voice for the state’s 12 Community Health Centers (CHCs) and their patients. Together, CHCs operate more than 230 locations across Arkansas. CHCA collaborates with local, state and federal partners, organizations, and policy makers to advocate for policies and regulations that strengthen the CHCs’ ability to provide affordable, accessible, and comprehensive, quality health care services to all—regardless of ability to pay. Learn more at chc-ar.org.