Dr. Sylvia Washington, a pediatrician with Atrium Health Floyd, has been appointed to represent the 14th Congressional District on the board of the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL).

Also known as Bright from the Start, DECAL administers Georgia's Pre-K program, licenses childcare centers and home-based childcare, administers Georgia's Childcare and Parent Services (CAPS) program, federal nutrition programs and manages Quality Rated, Georgia's community powered childcare rating system.

The board meets quarterly in Atlanta.

“I am really honored to be chosen," Washington said. “Being both a mom and a pediatrician, the health and welfare of children have always been important to me. I hope that my professional and personal experiences will play a role in benefiting children across the state."

Washington was Floyd's Physician of the Year (2018), was listed in Rome Life Magazine's Twenty Under Forty (2019) and was named the Georgia Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics' Young Physician of the Year (2019).

She received her medical degree from the New Jersey Medical School in 2007. She completed her internship and pediatrics residency at Mercer University in 2010.

Washington and her husband, Dr. Marcus Washington, have three children (Christian, Daniel, and Stephanie).

Washington serves the Georgia Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics as the District 1 Representative and Young Physician Member of the Executive Board. She has done medical missions work at the Baptist Medical Center in Nalerigu, Ghana and is a board member of the George Faile Foundation.