Georgia Rural Health Innovation Center

The future of rural pediatric health care is looking bright! Match Day at Mercer University School of Medicine was an exciting day. We congratulate Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Rural Pediatric Scholars Megan Hobbs and Lauren Brooker on their match with pediatric residency programs. Megan matched with HCA Memorial Health University Medical Center in Savannah and Lauren matched with University of Alabama Medical Center - Birmingham. Both are committed to returning to their rural Georgia roots to serve. We wish them the best as they continue their journey in medicine. #Match2025

March is National Nutrition Month. Earlier this month, Wendy Palmer, MS, RDN, LD, CHES, child wellness expert at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, gave a free training session on pediatric nutrition, the benefits of a well-balanced meal, building positive relationships with food, and more. Watch: garuralhealth.link/PAWS

Taliyah Henderson, MSIT, a research assistant for GRHIC, successfully defended her dissertation, "Aerial Delivery of Simulated Medication in a Rural County of Georgia," for the Rural Health Sciences PhD program at Mercer University School of Medicine. Graduation will be in May. Congratulations! #ruralhealth

Alika Croy, MPH, a research assistant for GRHIC, successfully defended her dissertation, "Assessing the Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Child Maltreatment Rates and Patterns Among Rural Counties of Central Georgia," for the Rural Health Sciences PhD program at Mercer University School of Medicine. Graduation will be in May. Congratulations! #ruralhealth

For her dissertation, Taliyah Henderson, MSIT, GRHIC research assistant and PhD student in Rural Health Sciences at Mercer University School of Medicine, tests the use of drone delivery in rural areas with limited access to health care. Henderson examines the feasibility and effectiveness of using the remotely controlled tech to deliver medications to patients in her project. Henderson will defend her dissertation and present her research findings on March 21. *As seen in the February issue of For Rural. Read More: https://lnkd.in/gbEJyuVG

Last week, GRHIC hosted the Rural Hospital Emergency Department Collaborative Meeting for participating KidsABC rural hospitals. The two-day event focused on education sessions such as implementing leadership competencies in rural emergency departments, Child-Life techniques, and Child Trafficking. The event also consisted of various networking opportunities and collaborative discussions that were centered on enhancing pediatric care.

Last weekend, GRHIC joined State Representative Mack Jackson and Washington County Regional Medical Center to host a health fair in Washington County.?Mercer University School of Medicine students Reed Resendiz and Dakota Scott led the Teddy Bear Clinic, while Bailey Vickers performed blood pressure checks. The event provided community members with a fun and informative day, complete with health screenings, education, resources and more!

GRHIC, Mercer University School of Medicine, and the CWC Alliance | Christopher Wolf Crusade implemented the Life Care Specialist program in rural communities in 2024 to help address the opioid epidemic in Georgia. The LCS program expanded to Stephens and Coffee counties. *As seen in the February issue of For Rural. Read More: https://lnkd.in/ePQ3x-TD

For Women’s History Month, Mercer University is celebrating 10 women on campus who are making a lasting impact in their fields, including our School of Medicine Dean, Dr. Jean Sumner. Dr. Sumner is deeply committed to improving rural health care in Georgia, and we are inspired by the transformative work she’s doing to make a difference. #WomensHistoryMonth #WomenInMedicine #RuralHealth #MUSM ?? Read more on The Den: https://loom.ly/nTYVWAY

For Black History Month, we celebrate African American physicians and health care providers. Gary Daniel, MD, has worked as a cardiologist for more than 25 years. The Mercer University School of Medicine graduate now serves as the medical director of Georgia Cardiology Associates.