Atlanta

Death threats force name change for Roswell's ‘ISIS' women's clinic

A local women’s clinic says it is being forced to change names because people have confused it with a terrorist group.


ISIS Women's Health Care says it has received dozens of death threats from callers who thought the clinic was associated with the group that is known for torture, suicide bombings and executions.
 
"This year marks the 10th anniversary for Isis Women's Health Care but instead of hoisting celebration banners we are taking down the namesake that has proudly delivered thousands of babies," says Dr. Hughan Frederick.  "Thankfully we are not closing our doors but we are opening a new chapter."
 
Frederick originally selected the name ISIS for its tie to the Egyptian goddess of motherhood. Frederick decided that it was time for a name change for the safety of his employees and patients.
 
"I'm not going to lie. This is hard," said Frederick. "We've spent a decade and thousands of dollars perfecting and building our brand in this community, now it's all out the window. But instead of being sad, we want to turn this into something positive and fun. We've had to undergo a complete image change from pamphlets, to websites, to business cards."
 
ISIS Women's Health Care employs dozens of people in three offices. They are affiliated with North Fulton Hospital and Emory Johns Creek Hospital.  For many years the ISIS name has become synonymous with "a better birth experience" in the north Metro Atlanta area.
 
The unveiling of the new company name will be held on March 31 at its 1015 Mansell Road office.