FEATURE
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Strengthening Pediatric Emergency Preparedness in Rural Georgia Through Simulation Training
by Kenya Jones, BS, RRT, Simulation Clinical Educator
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Simulation Clinical Educator Kenya Jones, BS, RRT, center, is joined by Maternal Health Observership Scholars and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Rural Pediatric Scholars from Mercer University School of Medicine during a demonstration of pediatric intubation techniques.
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The Kids Alliance for Better Care (KidsABC) collaborative is launching a pediatric simulation training focused on serious but rare emergencies rural providers may face—such as breathing problems, seizures, cardiac arrest and trauma. The training program is designed for KidsABC emergency departments in rural Georgia, delivering advanced simulation to underserved areas. It aims to expand provider skills and boost confidence by addressing the unique challenges of rural pediatric care and building on existing resources and connections in the state.
The simulation program will fill a significant gap in pediatric emergency preparedness across rural Georgia, where the nearest pediatric specialty care may be hours away. Simulation training increases pediatric care outcomes in rural areas, increases provider confidence in managing pediatric emergencies, enhances interdisciplinary team communication, and reduces the need for pediatric transfers when appropriate care can be provided locally.
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Jones Named Simulation Clinical Educator
Kenya Jones, BS, RRT, manages and facilitates the growth of experience-based learning through simulation training. She has more than 15 years of clinical experience in neonatal, pediatric, and adult critical care, including six years of leadership and medical simulation as an American Heart Association instructor. Jones holds a bachelor's degree in respiratory therapy from Georgia Southern and is working toward a master's degree in health education and promotion from Walden University. She enjoys spending time on the beach with her three children, interior design, and traveling.
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Dykes Named Director of Rural Pediatrics
Michael Dykes, MBA, BSN, RN, joined Mercer University School of Medicine as the director of rural pediatric projects. He is a native of Montezuma in Macon County. Dykes has 25 years of experience as an emergency department nurse, including 13 years as an emergency department director at various hospitals in Georgia. He recently earned his MBA from Ohio Christian University. He and his wife, Lauren, a nurse practitioner, have three children.
| | GRHIC Hosts Summer Scholars for Six-Week Program | |
The Maternal Health Observership and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Rural Pediatric Scholars summer programs are underway at the Georgia Rural Health Innovation Center. The 2025 cohort of these programs represents a passionate group of second-year medical students of Mercer University School of Medicine (MUSM). These scholars have dedicated their summer to developing a deeper understanding of maternal health, rural pediatric care and solutions to medical disparities in rural Georgia.
Students were selected to participate in each of the six-week summer programs through applications from all of Mercer’s campuses in Columbus, Macon and Savannah. The two summer programs, conducted simultaneously, are structured in an interprofessional education format to offer students a wide variety of educational and hands-on learning activities over six weeks. Activities include a speaker series featuring subject matter experts in maternal and pediatric health care, medical simulations, shadowing rural physicians, and participating in Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Scholars Day at the Arthur M. Blank Hospital in Atlanta.
Scholars also have opportunities to attend educational seminars such as the 2025 Maternal Health Symposium and the 2025 Autism in Rural Georgia Conference at Mercer University. Additionally, they will attend a documentary screening and discussion about the epidemic of maternal mortality. Students will also develop research skills by creating a scholarly project that focuses on identifying ways to improve maternal and pediatric health in rural Georgia.
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Fall Fun and Family Tradition at B.J. Reece Orchards
by Kayla Stroud, Communications and Events Specialist
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John Reece, owner of B.J. Reece Orchards in Ellijay
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| | The Georgia Agricultural Wellness Alliance was established in response to the prevalence of mental health challenges experienced by farm families and communities, which was revealed, in large part, through a joint study conducted by Mercer University School of Medicine's Georgia Rural Health Innovation Center, the Georgia Foundation for Agriculture and students in the School of Medicine’s Rural Health Sciences Ph.D. program. GAWA's focus is all of Georgia's farming communities. In this issue of For Rural, we spotlight B.J. Reece Orchards in Gilmer County. | | |
Nestled in the heart of Gilmer County's Appalachian foothills is B.J. Reece Orchards, a second-generation, family-run farm in Ellijay. Started in the 1960s by B.J. Reece, the orchard is now owned by his son, John, and daughter-in-law, Rachel.
B.J. Reece Orchards has experienced significant growth since John and Rachel continued the family legacy in 1995. The farm expanded to more than 200 acres of apples and 30 acres of peaches. In recent years, their son opened a cider business, Reece’s Cider Co., right across the street.
From promoting nutrition through fresh, homegrown produce to encouraging outdoor activity, the farm hosts a variety of family-friendly attractions, including pig races, a petting zoo, and wagon and pony rides. The orchard grows various fruits, but it is best known for its wide variety of apples like RubyRush, CrimsonCrisp and Rome Beauty. Apple picking is a popular activity and runs from Aug. 23 to Oct. 31. Also on site is a market and bakery, which features fried pies—a visitor favorite.
Schools frequently plan field trips to the farm during the fall. Kids learn about farm life, go on tours and milk cows. “We try to support our local county. We sponsor a lot of the teams, and we do a lot of field trips during September and October,” said John. “Some of it's educational, and some of it's just fun.”
John believes it is important to educate youth about farming in rural Georgia, as it can help build a healthy community. “I think it's good for kids and families to get out on the farm and see where the food that they're eating has come from,” he said. “I think it's better to eat food that you grow instead of eating processed foods.” His family practices this philosophy by eating more of what comes from their garden.
Despite the rising cost of expenses and labor—which has forced the farm to cut back on some crops, like green beans—John and the rest of the Reece family remain dedicated. Even while also working in construction, John’s true passion is farming. “If you've got a job that you're good at, that you like doing, it doesn't seem like a job. It doesn't feel like I'm getting up and going to work because I like doing it,” said Reece. “I love what I do, so that's all that matters.”
The orchard attracts visitors from across the state to Gilmer County. John stresses the importance of supporting local farmers and businesses by purchasing goods and produce locally, which strengthens the community and reduces reliance on outside sources. “The more you support local farmers, like me, you help support people in Gilmer County,” said John.
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Public Health Professionals: Survey Opportunity
We are gathering insights from public health professionals like you regarding our PhD in Rural Health Sciences Program at Mercer School of Medicine.
Your feedback is crucial as we continue to develop and improve our offerings to better meet the needs of professionals in the field. We are interested in learning more about your background and interests in rural health.
Your responses will help us tailor our program to better suit your needs and those of other professionals in the field.
Your input is greatly appreciated, and all responses will be kept confidential.
If you are interested in learning more about our program, please feel free to contact Tracy Lancaster at MUSM Admissions at lancaster_td@mercer.edu.
Thank you for your time and for your commitment to improving rural health.
Anne Montgomery, PhD
Program Director, PhD Rural Health Sciences
Mercer School of Medicine - Macon Campus
montgomery_a@mercer.edu
| | KidsABC Celebrates Monroe County Hospital's Emergency Department | | KidsABC recognized Monroe County Hospital Emergency Department for its commitment to strengthening pediatric emergency care in Monroe County during an May 17 ribbon-cutting ceremony. | | |
Rural Hospital Emergency Department Collaborative
The KidsABC Rural Emergency Department continues to work at enhancing rural pediatric care across the state. This month, Dodge County Hospital and Wayne Memorial Hospital have reached all of their milestones for celebration. Events to recognize these facilities for their diligence and commitment to strengthening pediatric care are being planned. We are excited to continue the program’s reach by meeting with core administrative staff at hospitals that have been identified for Cohort 3. Furthermore, KidsABC hosted a Pediatric Preparedness for the Healthcare Professional Course, a training focused on pediatric-specific emergency management, clinical preparedness, resiliency, and recovery.
Rural Pediatric Support Collaborative
The Pediatric Alliance Webinar Series (PAWS) continued on June 18 with a session on the management of acute sickle cell disease pain featuring Dr. Beatrice Gee, pediatric hematologist/oncologist and the program director of the Sickle Cell Disease Pain Treatment Program at the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. Our next session will be on July 9 with a presentation on pediatric rheumatology by Dr. Kelly Rouster-Stevens, Pediatric Rheumatology Fellowship Program director and professor of pediatrics at Emory University. We are hosting the Autism in Rural Georgia Conference on July 17-18 on Mercer's Macon campus. You can register at garuralhealth.link/autism. Telehealth appointments have been ongoing in KidsABC pediatric and family medicine offices. Pediatric and family medicine offices for Cohort 3 are being confirmed on a consistent rolling basis and staff are actively engaging physicians with trips to their offices around the state of Georgia.
Rural Pediatric Mental Health Collaborative
The Georgia Rural Health Innovation Center continues to work with Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta to perform universal mental health and wellness screenings with school-aged children in grades 3-12 in rural school systems. From March through mid-May, almost 1,300 students were screened in five different schools in Ben Hill, Jefferson and Washington Counties.
As a result of the screening, the parents/guardians of the students whose responses indicated they may have severe or moderate symptoms of worry, anxiety and concerns were contacted. During the 2025-2026 academic year, the Center is planning to expand the universal mental health and wellness screenings and offer services as indicated with school-aged children, grades 3-12, in approximately five additional rural school systems.
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Making Maintenance of Certification Easier: QI Projects Through Our Pediatrics Portfolio Program
The American Board of Pediatrics (ABP) approved Mercer University School of Medicine as a Pediatric Portfolio Sponsor for ABP Maintenance of Certification (MOC) activities. The sponsorship gives pediatricians and pediatric trainees a seamless opportunity to earn MOC credit for work they are already doing while participating in the School of Medicine’s quality improvement (QI) activities.
As a Pediatric Portfolio Sponsor, the School of Medicine evaluates local and institutional QI projects against the ABP’s QI activity standards and then approves projects for MOC credit. All physicians actively participating in the projects can earn this credit.
QI Project Virtual Training Opportunity: July 14, 2025
Anne Montgomery, PhD, School of Medicine associate professor, is offering quarterly training sessions on QI projects that fulfill MOC Part 4 for ABP.
The quarterly virtual training presentations include:
- Basic overview of what is necessary for a QI project for MOC
- How our portfolio program can help
- How to participate
- Currently approved ready-to-go projects
- Other project ideas
Presentations are 10 to 15 minutes and can be one-to-one or in groups.
Contact: montgomery_a@mercer.edu
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| Training and News for Rural Pediatric Health Care Providers | | 2025 Ongoing Center Initiatives | | |
Maternal Health Observership
All Rural Counties
Kedrick Williams
Maternal Health Symposium
All Rural Counties
Joan Anderson
Community Health Reporter
All Rural Counties
Kedrick Williams, Harvey Moody
Clinical Ethics ECHO
All Rural Counties
Samantha Johnson
Opioid Misuse Prevention Project
Rural Hospitals
Glenda Grant, Samantha Johnson
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Community Resiliency
Model (CRM)
All Rural Counties
Joan Anderson
Mental Health First Aid
All Rural Counties
Kedrick Williams,
Glenda Grant
Pediatric Mental Health Initiative
Ben Hill, Jefferson, Washington
Joan Anderson
Rural Medicine Pathways Events
All Rural Counties
Glenda Grant
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QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) Gatekeeper Training for Suicide Prevention
All Rural Counties
Joan Anderson
Health Fairs
Rural Partners
Amanda Livingston
Georgia Agricultural Wellness Alliance
All Counties
John McElveen
Continuing Medical Education and Continuing Nursing Education Training
Harvey Lee Moody
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The Georgia Rural Health Innovation Center works with rural partners to enhance health education through health fairs.
We encourage these community members to join us:
Harris County
July 19 | 9–11 a.m.
Co-Host: Harris County School District
Putnam County
July 19 | 10 a.m.-Noon
Co-Hosts: Reach 2 Teach, New Life Outreach Christian Center
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ABOUT THE CENTER
Mercer University School of Medicine’s Georgia Rural Health Innovation Center was established to address the complex health care challenges and disparities faced by rural communities throughout the state. The School of Medicine boasts a longstanding commitment to serving rural Georgia’s health needs, with a mission to educate physicians dedicated to tackling the health challenges in rural Georgia. The Rural Health Innovation Center serves as a critical resource to rural communities to improve access and effectiveness of health care by offering research, collaboration and training opportunities.
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