Auburn’s Rural Health Initiative: Revolutionizing Healthcare Access
TL/DR –
Dori Harmon, a resident of Chambers County, Alabama, sought medical help for severe headaches and was able to find effective treatment after just one visit to the OnMed Care Station at the Chambers County Community Health Center. Auburn University’s Rural Health Initiative has been awarded a Telemedicine Grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to install telehealth carts in 14 locations across Alabama. The equipment will increase access to healthcare for over 43,000 residents in around a dozen counties, offering mental health care, substance use disorder treatment, and primary care.
Dori Harmon Overcomes Health Hurdles with Help from OnMed Care Station
Lafayette resident, Dori Harmon, was suffering from severe headaches from August. Despite ruling out cardiac, neural, and spinal issues, her primary care physician was unable to diagnose her condition. With a longer than six-month wait to see a neurologist, Dori turned to the OnMed Care Station at the Chambers County Community Health Center for quick and effective diagnosis and treatment.
OnMed Care Station Provides Quick and Accurate Diagnosis
Just one visit to the OnMed Care Station was all Harmon required to get her life back on track. She received the correct medication, helpful advice to secure an earlier neurology appointment and started her treatment that very day. “The doctor nailed it!” Harmon exclaimed.
Convenient, Affordable Health Care Access is Changing Rural Lives
Not only was Harmon properly diagnosed and treated, but she also did not need to travel for more than thirty minutes for affordable health care. Auburn University is committed to expanding such convenient health care access across Alabama’s rural communities.
Auburn University’s Rural Health Initiative Awarded Telemedicine Grant
The university’s Rural Health Initiative recently received a Telemedicine Grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to install telehealth carts across fourteen sites in the state. This development will increase health care access to over 43,000 residents across a dozen Alabama counties. It will also offer opportunities for mental health care, substance use disorder treatment, and primary care.
Alabama Seeks to Improve Its Health Statistics
The lack of access to health care services in Alabama’s rural areas contributes to the state’s high annual medical costs of $31.3 billion and an additional $13.4 billion in lost employee productivity. The state’s assistant vice president for University Outreach and Public Service, Hollie Cost, is hopeful that the USDA funding will help expand the Rural Health Initiative to more locations, improving Alabama’s health ranking.
Appreciation from USDA Rural Development
Nivory Gordon, the Alabama state director of USDA Rural Development, expressed gratitude for Auburn’s partnership in bringing health and wellness services to residents of the state who need it most. With the commitment of the Auburn Family and the investments made in the community, Gordon is optimistic about making Alabama a better place to live.
Counties Set to Receive Telehealth Equipment
The Telehealth Equipment will be installed in the following counties:
- Barbour
- Bullock
- Chambers
- Clay
- Coosa
- Elmore
- Macon
- Randolph
- Tallapoosa
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