FEATURE
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KidsABC Rural Hospitals: Enhancing Rural Pediatric Care through Collaboration
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The KidsABC Rural Hospital ED Collaborative Meeting is a bi-annual event dedicated to strengthening communities of practice among participating hospitals. The March 6-7 event fostered education, collaboration, and the sharing of best practices to enhance pediatric emergency care in rural facilities.
Day one served as a KidsABC orientation day for Cohort 3 hospitals. Participants received an in-depth overview of the KidsABC program and engaged in a tabletop discussion on leveraging this initiative to enhance pediatric care within their facilities. During the discussion, attendees highlighted their hospital’s strengths, set goals for their participation in the project, and brainstormed strategies to engage staff and their communities. The day also featured a Hospital Leadership Competency Training led by Caroline Rooke, RN, director of Clinical Learning and Simulation Center at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. This education session equipped leaders with essential skills to drive meaningful change within their facilities.
Day two brought together participating hospitals from Cohorts 1, 2 and 3. With more than 47 attendees from 16 hospitals, the day was filled with insightful education sessions, practice recommendations, and valuable networking opportunities. Education sessions included pain management techniques presented from the CWC Alliance, as well as child trafficking awareness and child life techniques led by educators from Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. The meeting also included tabletop discussions that highlighted the emerging changes in rural pediatric populations, a panel discussion featuring KidsABC champions, and a KidsABC Spotlight showcasing the innovative work participating hospitals have done in this project.
As the KidsABC Rural Hospital ED Collaborative continues to grow, these bi-annual meetings remain a cornerstone for advancing pediatric care and fostering collaboration in rural communities.
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Mercer University School of Medicine Match Day Highlights: The Future of Rural Medicine
Mercer University School of Medicine's mission is focused on rural health care. Special programs within the M.D. program are designed to address the shortage of physicians who practice in rural communities. The Georgia Rural Health Innovation Center commends all students, especially those in core programs, for successfully matching in residencies including family medicine, pediatrics, internal medicine, emergency medicine, general surgery, psychiatry, and obstetrics and gynecology.
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Primary Care Accelerated Track Program
Mercer’s three-year Primary Care Accelerated Track (ACT) Program was one of the first two programs of its kind to be created in the United States. It is designed to address Georgia’s critical shortage of primary care physicians who practice in medically underserved rural areas. The ACT scholarship covers tuition for the second and third years of medical school.
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Nathan Deal Scholars Program
The Nathan Deal Scholars Program was established in 2017 to recognize outstanding medical students who exemplify the highest values of the medical profession and are leaders in their commitment to Mercer’s mission. Upon completion of residency, Nathan Deal Scholars are committed to four years of continuous, full-time medical practice in a medically underserved rural Georgia county. In addition to financial assistance, these scholars receive leadership training to help prepare for the clinical challenges that may arise while practicing in rural Georgia.
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GRHIC Research Assistants and Mercer Rural Health Sciences PhD students Successfully Defend Dissertations
Mercer’s PhD in Rural Health Sciences is a three-year program that teaches students to design, implement and evaluate strategies that improve health outcomes and address determinants of health in rural communities.
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Alika Croy, MPH — Croy presented her dissertation "Assessing the Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Child Maltreatment Rates and Patterns Among Rural Counties of Central Georgia." This research is a comparative study aimed at examining the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on child maltreatment rates and patterns in rural counties of central Georgia. By analyzing data from eleven counties (nine rural and two urban), the study provides insights into the changes in child maltreatment during an unprecedented period. It also highlights how demographic factors play a significant role in creating disparities in these rates. Additionally, the research sheds light on the challenges faced by child welfare during the pandemic and stresses the importance of community engagement and proactive measures to create a safer environment for rural children in central Georgia.
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Taliyah Henderson, MSIT — Henderson defended her dissertation "Aerial Delivery of Simulated Medication in a Rural County of Georgia." Many residents, especially elderly and disabled individuals, struggle to access medications due to transportation barriers and long distances from pharmacies. While online pharmacies exist, delivery services remain unreliable in these areas. Her study explored drone technology as a potential solution, conducting a pilot program in rural Georgia to test its feasibility. Drones demonstrated advantages such as faster delivery and lower costs. The study assessed accuracy, reliability, and participant feedback on drone-delivered medications. Early findings suggest drones can overcome logistical challenges and improve medication access, though endurance and consistency need further study. Community and pharmacists' perspectives on drone use in health care varied, highlighting the need for further research before widespread implementation.
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| |  | Laura Ross, MSW — Ross presented her dissertation "Socioecological Dynamics Influencing Community-Centered Care Models." Her study explored barriers and facilitators affecting care delivery in rural and Tribal communities in Georgia and Oklahoma. Despite federal investments like the ACA and AHC, these states rank low in health outcomes and access. Using a qualitative approach (Grounded Theory), Ross interviewed 50 health care and social service professionals. The findings revealed funding gaps, workforce shortages, cultural mistrust, and jurisdictional challenges that hinder care coordination. The research highlights the need for long-term funding, telehealth expansion, cross-sector partnerships, and community-driven solutions. Ross emphasizes that true progress requires sustained, community-led efforts rather than short-term, grant-dependent initiatives. Research findings provide a potential roadmap for policymakers and health care leaders to build more integrated, equitable care systems.
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GRHIC and Mercer School of Medicine Team Up with State Rep. Mack Jackson for Washington County Health Fair
by Kayla Stroud, Communications and Events Specialist
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On March 8, the Georgia Rural Health Innovation Center (GRHIC) and Mercer University School of Medicine (MUSM) co-hosted a free health fair in Sandersville that attracted more than 75 attendees and featured 14 local vendors. The event, held at the Boys and Girls Club, was a well-rounded experience offering a range of health-based activities, educational resources, and health screenings, providing valuable services to residents of the community.
Organized by State Representative Mack Jackson, the event was made possible through support from Washington County Regional Medical Center, MUSM, and GRHIC. Rep. Jackson stressed the importance of the annual fair, highlighting its role in promoting a healthier community, “Health care is one of the most important issues that we face, especially in our rural communities,” he said. “In order to have a good workforce, we need to have a healthy workforce; so we try to make sure that we provide as many health care options here as possible.”
Students from the School of Medicine, Reed Resendiz, Dakota Scott, and Sandersville native Bailey Vickers, participated by offering free blood pressure checks and engaging children at the Teddy Bear Clinic, where stuffed animals were diagnosed and treated. Other highlights of the event included a drug takeback initiative led by the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, along with educational resources on mental health, assistance with Medicare solutions, and women’s health information, emphasizing the importance of mammograms and early detection. Additionally, there were grocery gift card giveaways, a food truck, and a live DJ to entertain attendees.
Beyond the health screenings and educational sessions, the fair served as a testament to the community's dedication to improving residents' well-being. Rep. Jackson expressed his gratitude for the turnout and the ongoing support of the Sandersville community. “I thank God for the citizens, and thank them for their support,” he said.
The fair was a clear reminder of how the power of community can help in making health and wellness accessible to everyone.
| | Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Scholars Match in Pediatric Residency Programs | | |
The future of pediatric health care in rural Georgia is looking bright. Match Day for graduating medical students across the country took place on Friday, March 21. It was an exciting day at Mercer University School of Medicine.
Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Scholars Megan Hobbs, left, and Lauren Brooker, right, are committed to returning to their rural Georgia roots after residency to care for the state's youngest patients. Hobbs will begin her residency program at Memorial Health in Savannah, and Brooker will train at University of Alabama-Birmingham.
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Rural Hospital Emergency Department Collaborative
The second Marcus Crisis Prevention Program Training took place March 24-27, 2025. In this train-the-trainer course, participants learned valuable de-escalation and safety skills. Participants will become trainers and host crisis and safety planning trainings in their respective hospitals. Planning and coordinating for a Certified Emergency Nurse Exam Review Course is well underway, which will take place on April 24-25, 2025. All hospitals participating in the KidsABC Rural Hospital Emergency Department Collaborative must have at least one nurse who is a CEN (certified emergency nurse) or CPEN (certified pediatric emergency nurse). Staff Education Days at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta continue as we prepare to offer this training to Cohort 3 hospitals. Our team is excited to plan additional education offerings for participating hospitals.
Rural Pediatrician Support Collaborative
The Collaborative has continued its plans in delivering PAWS sessions, with the latest training on March 12 featuring Wendy Palmer, registered dietitian and certified health education specialist from Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. This session highlighted nutrition and healthy eating and presented an online resource for providers and parents to find a local registered pediatric dietitian. Telehealth appointments through KidsABC pediatric and family medicine offices have continued. Telehealth has been an invaluable resource in saving the patients and their families hours of travel for appointments with subspecialists. Registration for the Rural Pediatric Continuing Education Conference is open and registration for the new Autism in Rural Georgia Conference will go live April 1. Preparation for the six-week Children’s Scholars Summer Program is underway and will feature shadowing opportunities with pediatric preceptors and a day at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Arthur M. Blank Hospital. Pediatric and family medicine offices for Cohort 3 are being identified and confirmed as physicians are accepting their invitations to participate in KidsABC.
Rural Pediatric Mental Health Collaborative
The Center is working with Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and Emory University to perform universal mental health and wellness screening with school aged children grades 3-12 in rural school systems. As may be indicated based on the results of the screenings, students’ parents/guardians will be offered behavioral health services for their students from Emory University, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, the Georgia Rural Health Innovation Centers’ Pediatric Mental Health Initiative or local community resources. KidsABC is working with a non-profit partner with experience in implementing universal mental health screening and care connection services in rural school systems. Screening in multiple rural counties began in March. Approximately 431 rural school aged children were screened, and 38 children’s families were offered referrals for services. In April, we are expecting to screen approximately 400 to 500 additional school aged rural children.
| | 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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