Auburn University and Alabama Extension Unite to Address Health Care Gaps in Rural Communities

Access to health care is no longer a major issue for people in two rural Alabama communities. This is thanks to Auburn University’s expansion of the Rural Health Initiative footprint, which now features the OnMed CareStation and in-person health and wellness services in Wilcox and Greene counties.

At OnMed stations, residents can experience affordable, private and real-time visits with Alabama-licensed health care professionals in a virtual setting, at no charge. The OnMed stations in Greene and Wilcox counties were installed in mid-July. The grand opening is scheduled for Sept. 22 in Greene County, with the Wilcox County opening shortly thereafter.

The Alabama Cooperative Extension System, Auburn University Outreach and the Auburn Colleges of Pharmacy, Liberal Arts, Nursing and Human Sciences partnered with community leaders to make these new installations possible. Serving as vehicles to address Alabama’s health-care-access challenges, OnMed’s CareStations are pivotal components of this health-care-access model and are rapidly expanding across the state. The University of West Alabama (UWA) is installing and financing internet access in the stations in west Alabama. UWA has a connecting minority communities grant that funds this engagement.

The new locations will provide opportunities for university students and faculty from different disciplines to support community members’ overall well-being as needs are identified.

Alabama Extension Director Mike Phillips said the opportunity to change lives through health care access is not something that Extension takes lightly.

“Since the success of the Chambers County OnMed CareStation, we are well poised for the same positive impact across Greene and Wilcox counties,” Phillips said. “We are proud to be partners in this effort. The ability to shift the health-care landscape in more rural counties is a wonderful thing.”

Wilcox County

Shareka Johns, the county Extension coordinator in Wilcox County, said county commissioners were instrumental in setting up the station at the Shaw Community Center.

“This was a great need in our community,” Johns said. “The nearest hospital is 45 miles away, there is no obstetrician nearby and the nearest doctor’s office is almost 45 minutes away. There is also a school nearby that will benefit greatly. Our citizens are so thankful that there is a place that can handle their needs in a timely manner.”

Greene County

Boligee, Alabama Mayor Hattie Samuels said words cannot describe how grateful and excited she is with the installation.

“The OnMed Care Station is conveniently located in the Boligee Community Center and is the first stop for each person who enters,” Samuels said. “You can see the praise on the faces of our Senior Center members as they visit the OnMed CareStation for demos. This service will not only benefit the town of Boligee but will also have a lasting impact on surrounding communities.”

Samuels said many senior citizens are unable to get to a medical facility without hiring someone to drive them.

“This makes access to health care physically easier and cuts down on the wait and travel time it takes to be seen at a doctor’s office,” Samuels said.

Partnering with Purpose

Royrickers Cook, vice president for university outreach and associate provost, said he envisioned this increase in health-care access just before the COVID-19 epidemic began paralyzing rural Alabama communities.

“The OnMed CareStation was introduced as a tool to increase health care access for underserved areas,” Cook said. “We saw this as a bridge between rural communities, primary-care providers and specialists in nearby areas. Our faculty and students engaging with these communities elevates the experience and impact for all.”

Hollie Cost, assistant vice president for Auburn University Outreach and Public Service, said the collaborative team is thrilled with the opportunity to support the health of the communities in Greene and Wilcox counties.

“Our team is thrilled that so many interested parties have come together in support of the health of communities across Alabama,” Cost said. “Based on direct feedback from community members, we know there is a need for greater access to health care, as well as health and wellness programming and information during extended hours.”

Cost also said a memorandum of understanding was signed with UWA to continue working together to collaboratively provide health services in west Alabama communities.

OnMed CEO Karthik Ganesh said partnership is key to this success in Alabama.

“Our relationship with the Auburn University Rural Health Initiative has blossomed to include champions from across the state,” Ganesh said. “It is gratifying to see the OnMed CareStation become core to Alabama’s public health infrastructure.”