Who We Are
Bee Busy Wellness Center (BBWC) is a non-profit, community-based health center that began providing clinical services in 2010 and received designation as a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) in 2013 with a three exam-room medical facility in Southwest Houston. In 2014, the health center began implemented its strategic plan with sights on expansion. In 2015, Bee Busy Wellness Center opened its flagship location on West Bellfort Ave in Southwest Houston, featuring 11 exam rooms, full body radiology and X-ray services, five dental exam suites, two mental health/psychiatry rooms, and two labs. In 2018, the health center has expanded throughout Harris County opening two additional locations.
BBWC’s Executive Leadership
BBWC’s Executive Leadership is headed by the CEO and signatory authority, Norman Mitchell, recent recipient of the 2019 Black Professional Executives and Entrepreneurs award. Mr. Mitchell is the Co-founder of Bee Busy Wellness Center and has served in the capacity of CEO for the life of the company. Under his leadership, the company has expanded its reach and is continuing to expand. Mr. Mitchell has more than 25 years in executive management and Health Care Executive Leadership. The Leadership Teams consists of a CEO, CFO and CMO, with a Front Office Manager, HR/Compliance Officer, Clinic Manager, Billing Manager and Operations Manager who serve as the facilitators of the Day-to-Day management. The CFO, Diatra Penelton, who has over 30 years in accounting, and has previously served as internal auditor, financial analyst and joint venture accountant in the oil and gas industry. She brings with her the expertise needed to lead the financial department into the future. The CMO, Ms. Debrisha Johnson, leads the clinical team. BBWC was the first Nurse Practitioner Lead FQHC in Texas. The Chief Medical Officer served the health center in the capacity of Family Nurse Practitioner, Clinic Director, Director of Clinical Services, and as CMO for the past four years. The CMO has over 20 years’ experience in nursing, more than 10 years’ experience in executive leadership and has delivered presentations locally, nationally and internationally on behalf of BBWC. The CMO also serves as the leader of the Quality Program, while the CEO serves as leader of the Risk Management Program. All staff participate in the Risk Management, Safety, Quality Improvement/Quality Assurance and Compliance Programs at the health center, ensuring an interdisciplinary approach throughout all programs and services.
Mission
The organizational mission is “to offer a medical home to all, free from stigma and discrimination, without regard to ability to pay.”
Vision
BBWC envisions a world, where high quality health care is easy to understand, affordable, accessible and attainable to all.
Values
Integrity, Commitment, Accountability, Respect, Excellence. BBWC’s ICARE values are used throughout the entire operations of the company, ensuring that staff, patients, members of the board of directors and the community experience the exemplary standards in health care offered throughout all sites.
Board of Directors
Karlus Rubin, Board Chair
Karlus DiVine Rubin is a Real Estate Broker and Partner with Masters Realty, and a Construction Project Manager with DMR Solutions. Her 22 year’s experience serving the urban and suburban real estate market has afforded her the honor of serving others in their dreams of home ownership. Karlus DiVine not only negotiates and advocates on behalf of others looking to buy, sell, or lease a home, but as a Construction Project manager her knowledge has aided in improving the quality of life for homeowners impacted by the recent years natural disasters. Karlus DiVine’s commitment to serve didn't begin in real estate, it began in healthcare. For 15 years she served the needs of others at the renowned MD Anderson Cancer Center. Karlus DiVine credits her parents, George and Myrtle Rubin, her church Greater Truth Temple Worship Center, and her many years in healthcare as a foundation for her compassion and dedication to serving and advocating for others. As a patient and elected Board Chair of Bee Busy Wellness Center, Karlus believes her many years of compassion and advocating for others groomed her to receive this honor in continuing to serving the community today within the healthcare arena.
Frances Carter, Board Co-Chair
Frances Fowler-Carter is a retired Career & Technical Education educator with over 30+ years of experience in public education and ten plus years of retail management experience. She has been recognized for her support, service and expertise by her peers, students, community, state and national student, service and social organizations, the City of Houston, the State of Texas and most recently the President’s Volunteer Lifetime Achievement Award.
Jamie Nicole, Recruitment Chair
Jamie Nicole is a certified health coach, certified autoimmune coach, certified life coach, and fitness instructor whose passion and purpose are not only to educate people like herself with autoimmune disease to live an autoimmune protocol (AIP) lifestyle, but to help them overcome the inequities that exist in the BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) community that are barriers to the successful implementation of AIP. As a member of the Bee Busy Wellness Center Board of Directors, Jamie’s goal is to continue to expand her reach and impact as a champion of health justice for all.
Vera Walker, Board Member
BOI (Born on the Island) from Galveston Texas and youngest of six siblings. For over 22 years, she has thoroughly enjoyed working with families and students interested in higher education in several capacities. Currently, she is a Regional Recruiter for Texas A&M University. Vera is a proud member of Bee Busy Wellness Center. She accepted the call to serve immediately after accessing services. She recognized the need for health care and wanted to be a part of something bigger than herself. Bee Busy Wellness Center is proud to have her. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time in her 'She-Shed', taking on mini projects around her home and spending time with her family and friends.
Jean-Claude Nzamba, Board Member
Mr. Nzamba has been an entrepreneur since 2004 specializing in Information Technology, international trade, and project management. He has been an advocate for healthy eating habits and mental health. He is passionate about Agriculture, human rights, artificial intelligence, business and leadership.
Edwin Gibson, Board Member
Edwin L. Gibson, EL, is a native Houstonian and International film and television star who is no stranger to healthcare. His many film and tv credits include roles alongside such notables as the late Chadwick Boseman and Chris Rock, to playing the late Bill Russell and the late Dick Gregory. He credits his success as an actor and producer to his compassion for supporting and helping others. EL is the newest member of the Board of Directors of Bee Busy Wellness Center.
Johnny Johnson, Board Member
Johnny is a retired federal employee with over 30 years of experience. He is the President of a local bowling association with over 500 members. Johnny is the owner and operation of Binder Mediation and Arbitration practice. He is a certified golf instructor for 1st Tee. He is a life member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Johnny has been in the preaching ministry for 30 years and a servant leader.
Maria Gutierrez, Board Member
Drew Thompson, Board Member
Locations and Geographic Areas
BBWC has four current sites located in Harris County, serving Harris County, Brazoria County, Fort Bend County, Waller County, Montgomery County and Galveston County. During the 2021 fiscal year, BBWC provided services to nearly 12,000 patients and with more than 28,000 patient visits.
Services and Hours of Operation
The health center offers services 6 days per week with late evening and weekend hours to meet the needs of the communities we serve. Bee Busy Wellness Center also has two medical mobile units, equipped with private exam rooms, labs, waiting rooms, rest rooms and wheelchair lifts, for those with challenges climbing stairs. The health center is planning to open two additional locations in Harris County serving the Sunnyside/South Park and Third Ward areas.
Some services include: internal and family medicine, dental care, PrEP, PEP and nPEP therapy, and psychiatry/behavioral health services. More specifically, that translates to initial family planning and primary care services for women of child bearing years, well-woman exams, sick visits, management of chronic illnesses, diabetes, and hypertension, STD testing, pregnancy testing, family planning counseling, newborn screenings, nutritional counseling, and facilitation of lifestyle management and coping skills. The health center provides primary care for various managed care diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, asthma, COPD, ISCVD, CAD, hyperlipidemia, hypothyroidism, and hyperthyroidism. Our primary care providers also provide care for persons with COVID-19, Monkey Pox, Hepatitis C, HIV, and we offer specialty Psychiatry service addressing various mental and emotional health disorders and substance use disorders.
For over a decade, BBWC has extensively demonstrated its capacity to conduct medical programs and meet expectations. As a Federally Qualified Health Center, BBWC consistently meets benchmarks and performance goals and is a highly sought-after partner in the community. The Board of Directors provide oversight and governance of the health center. BBWC is nationally accredited by the Joint Commission and has the distinction of being a certified as a Primary Care Medical Home. BBWC has also been deemed by the Federal Government as a Federal Tort Claims Act Agency, providing comfort to the participants knowing our staff focuses all services at the highest levels of quality assurance.