Who is Joyce Barlow?

Joyce Barlow is an experienced and dedicated leader with deep roots in southwest Georgia. She is a mother, registered nurse and small business owner with a commitment to helping others. With her 30 years’ experience as a successful small business owner, she understands the need for economic development and expansion of industry in Southwest Georgia.

As a healthcare professional, she knows firsthand what expanding Medicaid access in Georgia would mean to the rural residents of our state. At both the local and state levels she has worked to establish better policy and regulations for personal care homes, assisted living facilities, proxy caregivers, and Georgia Alzheimer’s Initiative. Joyce works tirelessly to improve the lives of everyday Georgians and bring them affordable access to healthcare.

Joyce was inducted into the Georgia Nurse’s first ever Hall of Fame in 2022 for her work advocating for community care providers to ensure that they get the support they so desperately need. She understands that the needs of District 151 have been ignored for far too long and she is committed to bringing that same tenacious advocacy to push for Medicaid expansion to keep community hospitals open and fully funded, quality education for all Georgians. She knows that the keys to economic growth in rural Georgia are affordable healthcare and a strong education system.

Joyce holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing from Barry University two master’s degrees. She is also a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. She has won numerous awards including the 2016 Distinct Award for Servant Leadership given by the Georgia Women’s Legislative Caucus and the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Dream Award for community service and business acumen.