SEPTEMBER 2024 ISSUE

FEATURE

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GRHIC Hosts Summer Programs in Maternal Health and Pediatrics

by Harvey Moody, Community Resource and Assessment Specialist

Tre Steele, Moji Dada, Carson Edwards, Anna McGee, Abbie Earnest, Tiera Evans, Shea Kelley, Jaclyn Small, Sydnee Burke, Peyton Matt

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The Georgia Rural Health Innovation Center hosted two summer experience programs for medical students with a focus on maternal health and pediatrics. These six-week programs provided medical students with the unique opportunity to observe and gain hands-on experience alongside rural physicians in clinics across the state.

This year, the Maternal Health Observership welcomed eight rising second-year medical students — seven from Mercer University School of Medicine (MUSM) and one from Morehouse School of Medicine — who were interested in obstetrics and gynecology. The Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Rural Pediatric Scholars Summer Program hosted two rising second-year medical students from MUSM who were both awarded the scholarship. Through rotations at numerous rural clinics, these students gained valuable insights into the opportunities in rural communities.

Faith in Rural Health Summit to Bring Together Rural Health Care Professionals and Faith Leaders

Watch: MUSM Dean Jean Sumner and FIRH Director Paul Byrd

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The Faith in Rural Health Summit on October 4 will explore the intersection of faith and health in rural communities and innovative ways to address the spiritual needs in the clinical space and physical needs in the church. By bringing together health care professionals and faith leaders, we aim to create a more comprehensive approach to health care in rural areas.

Physicians, health care professionals, chaplains, faith leaders, and students in health care, theology, or public health are welcome to attend this free event.

Topics & Discussions

– One Physician’s Reflection on Medical/Faith Lessons Learned from COVID

– The Church’s Role in Rural Public Health Collaborations

– Successful Faith-Health Partnership in Rural Georgia

– Best Practices for Addressing the Spiritual Needs that Patients Bring to Medical Settings

Six CME credits will be offered.

Summer Med Camps Inspire Rural Students to Pursue Health Care Careers

The Georgia Rural Health Innovation Center (GRHIC) and Mercer University School of Medicine (MUSM) teamed up to offer summer med camps to rural middle and high school students.

Outreach to rural Georgia communities is a vital part of the mission of both the School of Medicine and GRHIC. MUSM Pathway Programs serve as a way to reach pre-collegiate and collegiate students while promoting awareness of medicine and health care careers.

With a goal of meeting the long-term health care needs of the state, MUSM aims to recruit and educate future doctors and health care professionals who will stay in Georgia. The objective is to develop a pipeline of academically qualified students who are not only interested in practicing medicine, but interested in practicing in rural Georgia. MUSM and GRHIC are working together to build that pipeline from the ground up through their Pathway Programs.

This summer, MUSM and GRHIC offered three free medical camps: an in-person camp for students in Randolph County, an in-person camp for Berrien County students, and a virtual camp for students across the state.

Mercer University School of Medicine to Host Renowned Ethicist for Inaugural Greenberg-Williams Lectureship

The Bees and The Trees: Scott Family Farm

by Kayla Stroud, Communications and Events Specialist

Stephanie Scott of Scott Family Farm in Burke County.

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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 Scott Family Farm in Waynesboro.

Scott Family Farm is a family-owned, sustainable staple in Waynesboro, Burke County. Stephanie Scott, the owner of the honey bee and Christmas tree farm, offers education, festivals, and tours for the local community.

Scott and her husband initially started the venture as a retirement hobby. They wanted to grow

and harvest crops in opposite seasons: Christmas trees in fall and winter and honey in

spring and summer. Scott has more than 5,000 Christmas trees on her property. According to her, each tree produces enough oxygen for one person, essentially helping cleanse the air of impurities.

The farm also houses more than 100 beehives that are used for different purposes. Scott said, "There are different aspects to honey and beekeeping. For example, our middle child is diabetic, so her choosing to use honey, as opposed to refined sugars, can help her glucose level stay more stable. Honey is a phenomenal natural medicine," said Scott. "Of the average population, beekeepers are believed to have the longest life expectancy. They believe that it's because of both the bee's venom and its wings. It's said that their wings create calming vibrations. The sound has been used to treat PTSD, because the vibration is a tone that causes the release of endorphins," said Scott.

Although she has faced challenges in the last several years — including the reintroduction of pesticides that harm pollinators — Scott said she still takes time to acknowledge the rewarding aspects of her job. Her farm's educational classes, events, and bee clubs offer her a chance to pass on what she's learned over the years.

"We do a lot of education. It's where our heart is. We give back to our rural community by

exposing people to ways to sustain themselves and have healthier lifestyles. There are so many

natural medicines that can be made from beehives, and we can use this farm to teach people

about old medicinal practices," said Scott.

Scott says that owning her farm has brought her a new sense of accomplishment. “It's just

knowing that I did all this. We have products in 14 different retailers, and it was all through word-

of-mouth. I feel like I have a purpose now," said Scott. "I'm in my 60s, and I have a lot of

knowledge that I can pour into other generations. I want to help other women achieve things

that I have never been able to achieve. If I don't wake up tomorrow, I know everyone in this bee

club will keep it going. And seeing all the kids' faces when they attend our events makes my

heart feel good," said Scott.

Scott offers a simple yet powerful piece of advice for her community: embrace new experiences

and broaden your horizons. "Take the time to invest in yourself and change one thing. You don't

have a garden? Go out and get a flower pot or one tomato plant and start. Maybe you don't exercise

regularly; go out and walk to your mailbox. You only eat apples? Try a banana. Expand your

horizons. Try something new and take that first step outside your ordinary," said Scott.

Specialized Nurse Certification Enhances ED Staff Training in Participating KidsABC Hospitals

Participating hospitals in the KidsABC Rural Hospital Emergency Department Collaborative are required to have their identified nurse champion complete training to become a Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN) or Certified Pediatric Emergency Nurse (CPEN). Each certificate is designed to expand knowledge and teach versatility in emergency care.

The CEN certificate is tailored toward emergency department nurses who care for both pediatric and adult populations. Those who hold a CEN certificate have increased self-efficacy in emergent circumstances. The CPEN certificate is for nurses with an increased interest and need for specialization within the pediatric realm. CPEN holders are skilled at assessment and triage while providing age-appropriate care, advocacy, and education for their patients and families. The uniqueness in treating pediatric emergency patients is often misunderstood and requires expertise in both pediatrics and emergency care, making CPEN holders experts in recognizing the developmental and physiological differences between age groups.

For the KidsABC Rural Hospital Emergency Department Collaborative, all participants are dedicated to provide high-quality pediatric care to Georgia's rural children. By encouraging nurses to obtain their CPEN or CEN certification, KidsABC ensures its participants are equipped with enhanced education and confidence when caring for a mixed population of pediatrics and adult patients. Nurses' advanced training contributes to better patient care, positive patient outcomes, and higher patient satisfaction. The certification exam covers and prepares nurses for a wide range of emergent events such as neurological, environmental, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, mental-health emergencies, and much more. 

Keelie Gleason, nurse educator and pediatric nurse champion at Upson Regional Medical Center, exemplifies the benefits of this initiative. She shared that since earning the CPEN credential she feels more confident and qualified to serve as a resource for her colleagues. She said that while studying for the exam, she enjoyed learning about conditions and illnesses she has yet to encounter. 

Gleason, along with many other nurse champions across KidsABC emergency departments, has been eager in recommending the certification to other nurses who share a dedication to rural pediatric care. “I have been a nurse for over 20 years now, and I can say that obtaining CPEN certification is one of the accomplishments I am most proud of,” she said.

Through efforts like these, the KidsABC Emergency Department Collaborative is fostering a community of excellence in rural pediatric care.

Mercer University School of Medicine student Bailey Vickers; Mountain Lakes Chief Nursing Officer Cynthia Gray, RN; Mountain Lakes Respiratory Manager Lacey Stockton, RRT; Mountain Lakes CEO Kristy Hall, Forward Rabun Business and Economic Development Strategist Mickey Duvall; School of Medicine Dean Jean Sumner, M.D., FACP; Children’s Affiliations Operations Director Pam Mason; School of Medicine Director of Rural Pediatric Projects Jennifer Nash; School of Medicine student and Children’s Rural Pediatric Scholar Tre Steele

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KidsABC Celebrates Mountain Lake Medical Center’s Emergency Department as Part of the Pediatric Emergency Care Project

The Mountain Lakes Medical Center Emergency Department was recognized for its commitment to strengthening pediatric emergency care in Rabun County during an August 3 ribbon-cutting ceremony. Mountain Lakes was celebrated for reaching key milestones as a participating hospital in the Kids Alliance for Better Care (KidsABC).

Mountain Lakes Medical Center commemorated its KidsABC participation and completion of milestones with a ribbon cutting hosted by the Forward Rabun Chamber of Commerce and attended by hospital, Children’s, MUSM and GRHIC representatives. As part of the celebration, community members were invited to a free Back-to-School health fair with a school supply giveaway.

Rural Hospital Emergency Department Collaborative

On September 13 the KidsABC Rural Hospital Emergency Department Collaborative hosted its fall meeting at Colquitt Regional Medical Center. We hosted 45 representatives, from 12 participating KidsABC hospitals, who engaged in education sessions, tabletop discussions, and networking. The highlight of the day was a tour of the medical simulation center to showcase the opportunities presented by frequent and robust simulation programs. The Collaborative looks forward to another packed agenda at the next meeting scheduled for March. Hospital celebrations continue with Upson Regional Medical Center's ribbon-cutting event set for Friday, October 27 at 6 p.m., followed by a community movie night.

Rural Pediatrician Support Collaborative

Subspecialty telehealth appointments were successfully completed at two of the KidsABC pediatric practices in the months of August and September. These appointments featured subspecialty care in the area of nephrology. This is exciting news for the children and families in Washington and Worth counties, our first counties to use the telehealth referral system. There are additional telehealth appointments currently being scheduled into November, in both nephrology and rheumatology. We expect the telehealth referrals to continue to grow with Cohort 2 sites, which recently received telehealth equipment. We look forward to extending subspecialty care into these communities. The Telehealth Champion Annual Meet & Greet Training Luncheon will be held late September to recognize the incredible work being done by the telehealth champions.

Rural Pediatric Mental Health Collaborative

The Georgia Rural Health Innovation Center is working with Emory University, which was awarded a multi-million-dollar Sparks Foundation grant to perform universal mental health and wellness screening; and, as may be indicated, offer specific models of therapy to grades 3-12. For grades 3-12, the screening tool is being developed use other screening tools and resources as the basis. For grades K-2, wellness programs will be offered to the students and faculty. Jefferson County Schools and Ben Hill County Schools have agreed to participate in the universal mental health and wellness screenings. Meetings have been held, and others planned, to discuss these screenings with the Washington County Schools and Brentwood School, as well as a fifth school system. GRHIC will coordinate the screenings and offer services, if needed. The gap analysis and resource mapping for the 5 counties involved is being prepared by Laura Ross, a Mercer University School of Medicine Rural Health Sciences PhD candidate and GRHIC research assistant.

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.

The Pediatric Alliance Speakers Series is a free monthly training series for providers to earn CME credits, offered by Mercer University School of Medicine, through one-hour virtual training sessions with subject matter experts in a variety of topics. PASS includes peer-led rural pediatric patient case studies and an in-person continuing education conference.

If you are a rural pediatric provider, please click to register for trainings and subscribe to Rural Pediatric News.

2024 Ongoing Center Initiatives

Maternal Health Improvement

All Rural Counties

Kedrick Williams

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

Chris Scoggins, Samantha Johnson

Opioid Misuse Prevention Project

Rural Hospitals

Glenda Grant, Samantha Johnson

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

Barber/Beauty Shop Project

Randolph County

Harvey Moody

Rural Medicine Pathways Events

All Rural Counties

Glenda Grant

QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) Gatekeeper Training for Suicide Prevention

All Rural Counties

Joan Anderson

Faith in Rural Health

Berrien, Putnam, Toombs/Montgomery

Paul Byrd

Health Fairs

Rural Partners

Amanda Livingston

Georgia Agricultural Wellness Alliance

All Counties

John McElveen

Continuing Medical Education and Continuing Nursing Education Training

Harvey Moody

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:

Putnam County | November 2 | 10 a.m.-Noon

Co-Host: Community Organizations and Leaders

Are you a vendor wanting to participate in a health fair?

Submit the application below.

BECOME A VENDOR

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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