About Us

A family-run practice built around more time, better access, and a stronger long-term relationship between physician and patient.

Dr. Christi Ghaleb
Family Medicine

Dr. Christi Ghaleb

Dr. Pete Ghaleb
Family Medicine

Dr. Pete Ghaleb

2017
Direct Primary Care Milestone

First DPC practice in the Greater Savannah area

About Our Practice

A family practice built around time, trust, and better access

After eight years with Memorial Health, Dr. Christi Ghaleb and her husband, Dr. Pete Ghaleb, opened Family Medicine of Pooler in 2010 to provide efficient, caring, and attentive family medicine. In 2017, they transformed the practice into the first Direct Primary Care practice in the Greater Savannah area.

Our Approach

Modern medicine with old-fashioned personal care

Direct Primary Care removes much of the insurance bureaucracy from routine primary care so the physician and patient can spend more time on prevention, chronic disease management, timely visits, and a stronger long-term relationship.

  • Longer, more personal appointments
  • Direct physician access by phone, text, email and telehealth
  • Same-day or next-day availability when possible
  • Transparent pricing for membership and many services
Dr. Christi and Dr. Pete Ghaleb

Our Care Philosophy

Three ideas that shape the way we practice medicine

Explore the principles behind Family Medicine of Pooler, from stronger doctor-patient relationships to simpler, more direct access to primary care.

01 Personal Care

“They’re more than doctors. They’re my friends.”

Direct Primary Care gives the practice more time with each patient, helping create stronger, more personal doctor-patient relationships instead of rushed visits built around volume.

More time with your physician Stronger long-term relationships
02 Direct Primary Care

Modern medicine with old-fashioned care

Direct Primary Care gives patients affordable, direct access to a doctor they know and trust through in-person visits, phone, text, and virtual care, without the usual insurance bureaucracy surrounding routine primary care.

Direct physician access Simpler primary care experience
03 Better Healthcare

More time for patient care can lead to better outcomes

The practice’s Direct Primary Care model removes the insurance middleman from routine primary care, allowing physicians to spend more time focused directly on patients and less time navigating administrative barriers.

Less insurance interference More time focused on care
04 Telemedicine

“Quality care, wherever you are.”

Telemedicine makes it easier for patients to connect with their healthcare providers without unnecessary travel or long waits. Virtual visits help improve access to care while keeping communication personal, convenient, and consistent.

Convenient care from home Faster access to your physician
05 AFFORDABLE ACCESS

“Better care shouldn’t depend on insurance.”

Family Medicine of Pooler introduced a Direct Primary Care model that removes insurance from routine primary care. Patients pay a low monthly membership for office visits and access to services such as in-house labs, medications, and minor procedures. The goal is to give physicians more time with patients and build stronger relationships instead of rushing through short appointments.

Affordable monthly access to primary care More time focused on each patient

Meet The Doctors

The physicians behind Family Medicine of Pooler

Dr. Christi Ghaleb leads patient care while Dr. Pete Ghaleb supports the practice through administrative leadership. Together, they have built a more personal approach to family medicine.

Dr. Christi Ghaleb, M.D.
01
Board Certified Family Medicine Physician

Dr. Christi Ghaleb, M.D.

Born and raised in Fresno, California, Dr. Christi Ghaleb earned her B.S. in Biology from the University of California, Fresno in 1997 and her M.D. from Ross University School of Medicine in 2002.

She completed her residency in Family Medicine in 2005 at Memorial Health in Savannah, Georgia, then was an Attending Physician for Memorial and St. Joseph's / Candler before starting Family Medicine of Pooler with her husband, Dr. Pete, in 2010.

Dr. Christi Ghaleb is married with two children and enjoys outdoor activities such as biking, off-roading, and scuba diving.

Clinical Leadership Pooler, Georgia
02
Physician Executive - Practice Admin.

Dr. Pete Ghaleb, M.D.

Born and raised in Miami Beach, Florida, Dr. Pete Ghaleb earned his B.S. in Biology from Florida International University in 1997 and his M.D. from Spartan University School of Medicine in 2002.

In 2002, Dr. Pete moved to Savannah and founded a company that has helped thousands of students achieve their dream of becoming doctors. In 2010, he opened Family Medicine of Pooler with his wife, Dr. Christi Ghaleb.

Dr. Pete is married with two children and enjoys boating, scuba diving, and DJ'ing with his family.

Clinical Leadership Pooler, Georgia
Dr. Pete Ghaleb, M.D.

Recognition & Features

Recognized for a different approach to primary care

From regional recognition to features in South Magazine, Family Medicine of Pooler and the Ghalebs have been highlighted for their approach to patient care and Direct Primary Care.

Best of Georgia Physician Practices
Recognition

Best of Georgia Physician Practices

January 2025 Georgia Business Journal

Georgia Business Journal

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South’s Greatest Doctors 2022/23
Feature

South’s Greatest Doctors 2022/23

January 5, 2023 South Magazine
Read Article
South’s Greatest Doctors 2021/22
Feature

South’s Greatest Doctors 2021/22

January 20, 2022 South Magazine
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South’s Greatest Doctors 2020/21
Feature

South’s Greatest Doctors 2020/21

December 11, 2020 South Magazine
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2019 Greatest Doctors Advert 100
Feature

2019 Greatest Doctors Advert 100

2019 South Magazine
Direct Medicine: Is It Right For You?
Feature

Direct Medicine: Is It Right For You?

December 10, 2019 South Magazine

An early feature exploring the thinking behind Family Medicine of Pooler’s Direct Primary Care model and a more direct physician-patient relationship.

Thank you to our patients and community for your trust and support.

Our Journey

From a traditional practice to a Direct Primary Care leader

Family Medicine of Pooler has grown by staying focused on one idea: better relationships create better primary care. The practice has also helped demonstrate that the DPC model can work in the Greater Savannah community.

2010 — Practice founded

Drs. Christi and Pete Ghaleb opened Family Medicine of Pooler after eight years of experience with Memorial Health.

2017 — Converted to DPC

The practice became the first Direct Primary Care practice in the Greater Savannah area.

Community impact

The success of the model helped pave the way for more than a dozen other DPC practices to launch in Chatham County.

Patient Reviews

What patients appreciate most about our care

Family Medicine of Pooler is built around better access, more time with your physician, and a more personal primary care experience.

“Switching to Family Medicine of Pooler was one of the best healthcare decisions I made. Dr. Ghaleb is caring, attentive, easy to reach, and has supported me even while I was out of town.”

Family Medicine of Pooler

Brent Conley

“My first visit was a great experience. I was very happy with the service and felt confident that choosing this practice was the right decision.”

Family Medicine of Pooler

Rachel Mohr

“The care feels personal and unhurried. Dr. Ghaleb gives me her full attention, answers my questions, and makes primary care feel focused on the patient again.”

Family Medicine of Pooler

Julie Carter Pecenka

“Our family feels genuinely cared for here. Visits never feel rushed, communication is easy, and the Direct Primary Care model has been a great fit for us.”

Family Medicine of Pooler

Branson Macatee

“I feel comfortable coming here for care. The atmosphere is welcoming, the staff is wonderful, and the overall experience makes routine medical visits much easier.”

Family Medicine of Pooler

Keona S. Banks

“My first appointment with Dr. Ghaleb was thorough, efficient, and reassuring. I had a very positive experience and would recommend the practice.”

Family Medicine of Pooler

Kimberly Petitt

“I appreciate being able to email or text the office and actually get help. That direct access saves time and makes me feel that the practice respects my schedule.”

Family Medicine of Pooler

Tammie Hall

“Dr. Ghaleb takes time during visits, listens patiently, and provides caring attention. The move to Direct Primary Care has given me more control over the care I receive.”

Family Medicine of Pooler

Lisa Ann