Dr. Marlah Mardis Promoted

FORSYTH, Ga. - Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC) Commissioner Tyrone Oliver announced the promotion of Dr. Marlah Mardis, Deputy Statewide Medical Director, to Statewide Medical Director, effective April 1, 2024.  Dr. Mardis has served as Interim Director since the retirement of Dr. Sharon Lewis. Dr. Mardis will serve as the medical authority for the GDC and will be responsible for the monitoring and evaluation of medical services delivered by the vendor for offenders housed within the GDC as well as administrative oversight of such services.

“Dr. Mardis’ extensive knowledge of correctional healthcare, along with her leadership and guidance, makes her an asset to this department,” said Commissioner Tyrone Oliver. “Her continued dedication to the medical needs of the offenders in our care is paramount in our commitment to providing the constitutional level of health services

Dr. Mardis is board-certified as a Diplomate of the American Board of Family Medicine, with more than 30 years of healthcare experience, including clinical expertise in Family Medicine, Occupational Health, and Correctional Health. She possesses broad knowledge in managing acute and chronic diseases and handling utilization and reimbursement. She has worked with federal occupational health and case management and is familiar with Federal and State regulatory practices. Additionally, she has experience delivering correctional health care in line with the standards laid out by the American Medical Association and the American Correctional Association. Dr. Mardis also possesses comprehensive knowledge of correctional health, having served in leadership positions in several states and with multiple correctional healthcare delivery vendors before joining the agency as Deputy Statewide Medical Director, where she currently serves.

Dr. Mardis graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Xavier University. She then attended Morehouse School of Medicine and became the Chief Resident in Family Practice at Howard University.  Dr. Mardis is a member of the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), American College of Correctional Physicians (ACCP), and the National Medical Association (NMA).

 

About the Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC)

The Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC) has one of the largest prison systems in the U.S. and is responsible for supervising approximately 47,000 state prisoners. It is the largest law enforcement agency in the state with approximately 9,000 employees. For more information on the GDC, call 478-992-5247 or visit https://gdc.georgia.gov.