Southwest Health District Health Director,
Charles Ruis, MD

Charles Ruis, M.D.
Health Director

A specialist in family medicine with deep ties to Southwest Georgia and public health has been tapped as the new Southwest Health District Health Director.

Charles Ruis, M.D., now oversees the 14 county health departments and two farm worker clinics encompassed by the health district. He assumed the role on April 18.

Prior to receiving his Bachelor of Science degree and his Doctor of Medicine degree from Medical College of Georgia, Dr. Ruis attended Georgia Southwestern and later University of Georgia. He performed both his internship and his residency in family practice at Medical Center of Central Georgia. He is board-certified as a Diplomat by the American Board of Family Medicine.

Dr. Ruis practiced family medicine in Crisp and Dooly Counties for a number of years. He also has experience in emergency medicine, hospice care and correctional medicine.

He served as chair of the Crisp County Board of Health from 2007 to 2016. As a volunteer, Dr. Ruis served as the chair of the Crisp County Board of Health from 2007 to 2016. It was during this time that he developed a passion for public health, which resulted in his pursuit of a career in that arena.

Dr. Ruis presently serves as a clinical assistant professor at Medical College of Georgia at its Southwestern campus. He is also on the board of Albany Area Primary Health Care and Southwest Georgia AHEC.

He has been married to his wife, Barbara, since 1980, and together they are active in the Cordele First United Methodist Church and enjoy music and a variety of outdoor activities. They have three adult children and two grandchildren.