FEATURE
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GRHIC Partners with Macon County for Community Health Fair
by Harvey Lee Moody, Community Resource and Assessment Specialist
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Rural communities have many unique qualities, among them is their strong commitment to caring for their neighbors. Limited access to health care providers and clinics often means these communities have to find creative ways to address their health needs. In many rural communities, individuals are more likely to regularly interact with faith leaders, barbers, beauticians, and other trusted service providers than with a medical professional. These familiar and trusted people have the ability to support community health efforts and encourage healthier lifestyles by providing health promotion and outreach activities in spaces community members feel most comfortable.
With assistance from the Georgia Rural Health Innovation Center (GRHIC), Pastor Harrison Head, Jr., of Bethel Missionary Baptist Church in Marshallville, planned and hosted a health fair for Macon County residents.
“Our community has faced many health disparities, and providing access to resources, screenings and education is one way we can help close those gaps,” said Pastor Head. “We wanted to host a health fair because we believe that ministry should address the whole person—spirit, soul, and body.”
On Saturday, April 6, local organizations from the surrounding area gathered at Bethel Missionary Baptist Church to offer health education, resources and support. Attendees received information on Medicaid, learned the importance of CPR and mammography, and had access to free blood pressure cuffs and blood glucose meters, provided by GRHIC.
Community members in attendance were deeply appreciative of the efforts made to promote health education. Many of them shared how difficult it is to get the care needed when there is no physician available in Marshallville and how hard it can be for some families to travel to the nearest clinics in Fort Valley in Peach County.
“Our goal was to raise awareness, promote preventive care, and connect people with local health providers,” Pastor Head shared. “We also hoped to create a space where people felt comfortable asking questions and learning more about how to take care of their health. Ultimately, we wanted to be a blessing to our community in a tangible and practical way."
Pastor Head's mission is to continue hosting events and expanding the services offered to community members. He hopes to partner with more local organizations including mental health resources, dental screenings, nutrition workshops, and fitness demonstrations at future health fairs. “It’s about showing love through service and meeting people where they are,” he said.
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Preston Joins GRHIC as Community Resource and Assessment Specialist
DeLexia Preston is a native of Middle Georgia. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in public health from Georgia College and State University. She is currently pursuing a dual master's degree in business administration and health administration from the University of Phoenix. During her time as a public health practitioner, she has overseen vaccine clinics and worked in case management. Her passion revolves around health education, promotion and planning.
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Bridging Gaps in Rural Pediatric Care
Rural Pediatric Continuing Education Conference
May 16, 2025
9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Mercer University Macon Campus
The Georgia Rural Health Innovation Center, as a part of the Kids Alliance for Better Care initiative with Mercer University School of Medicine and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, is hosting the third annual Rural Pediatric Continuing Education Conference for rural pediatricians and other health care professionals.
This conference grants rural health care providers an important opportunity to engage directly with subject matter experts from a range of subspecialties.
In these presentations, rural providers learn from specialists on the management of different conditions at the primary care office level and when to refer to a subspecialist. These peer-to-peer discussions help bridge the gap of care in rural communities and help keep rural pediatric care as close to home as possible.
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Measles has become a pressing public health issue with a sharp increase in reported cases across multiple states. More than 700 cases have been confirmed, and declining vaccination rates have left communities vulnerable.
Amber Schmidtke, PhD, led a PAWS session on measles. She is a microbiology and immunology expert. Before her current role as associate professor of microbiology and assistant dean of student success at Kansas City University College of Medicine, she was an assistant professor at Mercer University School of Medicine and worked in public health at the CDC. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Schmidtke became one of the most trusted voices in Georgia and the South, authoring a popular newsletter and podcast, consulting government and private entities, and offering countless media interviews.
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Learning Objectives:
* Name at least 3 key signs and symptoms associated with measles infection.
* Know what diagnostic test(s) are useful in confirming measles infection and identify important next steps for protecting the public's health.
* Refresh working knowledge regarding the MMR vaccine, including how it works, dosing regimen, etc., to prepare for conversations with parents.
| | Recorded April 9, 2025. Credits: 1 hour of CME or CNE credit through MECOP is available by viewing this presentation and completing the evaluation by December 31, 2025. | | |
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 Upson Regional Medical Center's Emergency Department | | KidsABC recognized Upson Regional Medical Center Emergency Department for its commitment to strengthening pediatric emergency care in Upson County during an April 26 ribbon-cutting ceremony. | | |
Rural Hospital Emergency Department Collaborative
The KidsABC Rural Emergency Department Collaborative hosted a Certified Emergency Nursing Exam Review Course this month on Mercer's Macon Campus. The Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN) is a specialty credential that recognizes a nurse's advanced knowledge, skills and abilities in emergency care. This review course covered respiratory, neurology, environmental, mental health, OB-GYN and gastrointestinal emergencies. Providing this course helps KidsABC participating hospitals meet one of their milestones of having at least one CEN nurse in their emergency department. Two hospitals in Cohort 2, Bleckley Memorial Hospital and Evans Memorial Hospital, have reached all of the milestones for celebration. Events to recognize these facilities for their diligence and commitment to strengthening pediatric care are being planned. Hospitals have been identified for Cohort 3B and our team has been working on meeting with core administrative and staff members at each facility. We are excited to continue expanding the program's reach in providing resources to enhance rural emergency pediatric care across the state.
Rural Pediatric Support Collaborative
The Pediatric Alliance Webinar Series (PAWS) continued on April 9 with Amber Schmidtke, PhD, who presented on measles. Dr. Schmidtke was a Mercer School of Medicine assistant professor and is currently an associate professor of microbiology and assistant dean of student success at Kansas City University. This session had our highest attendance with 66 people, including physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses, health care staff, school system staff and faculty members. We are hosting the Rural Pediatric Continuing Education Conference on May 16 and the Autism in Rural Georgia Conference on July 17-18 on Mercer's Macon campus. Telehealth appointments have been ongoing in KidsABC pediatric and family medicine offices. Pediatric and family medicine offices for Cohort 3 are being identified and confirmed on a consistent rolling basis as physicians are accepting their invitations to participate in KidsABC.
Rural Pediatric Mental Health Collaborative
Mercer University School of Medicine and its Georgia Rural Health Innovation Center continue to work with Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and Emory University to perform universal mental health and wellness screening with school-aged children in grades 3-12 in rural school systems. Screening began in March, and approximately 1,000 rural school children have been screened in three rural counties. To date, 60 children’s families have been offered referrals for services. We are planning to screen children in grades 3-12 in one more rural school before this academic year ends.
| | Anyone considering joining or starting a new or existing project, can reach out to Anne Montgomery, PhD, at Montgomery_a@mercer.edu for more information. | | |
Training and News for Rural Pediatric Health Care Providers
Rural Pediatric News is published bimonthly and highlights training and continuing medical education options, recommended reading, physician spotlights, seasonal health and wellness information to share with patients, and more.
PAWS: Pediatric Alliance Webinar Series
The Pediatric Alliance Webinar Series (PAWS) is a free monthly training program offering one-hour virtual sessions led by subject matter experts, allowing providers to earn CME and CNE credits. Topics covered include hypertension, arthritis, epilepsy and more. PAWS complements this with peer-led rural pediatric case studies and in-person continuing education conferences.
If you are a rural pediatric provider, please click to register for trainings and subscribe to Rural Pediatric News.
| | 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
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ABOUT THE CENTER
In 2018, Georgia lawmakers dedicated special funds to establish a new Rural Health Innovation Center tasked with confronting the complex health care challenges and wellness disparities facing rural communities. Mercer University School of Medicine (MUSM) was awarded the grant funds in 2019 and formally established the Georgia Rural Health Innovation Center on its Macon campus. MUSM 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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