FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Central Georgia Area
Mercer University and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Partner with Washington County Regional Medical Center to Improve Rural Pediatric Healthcare with Pilot Program
SANDERSVILLE, GA – March 20, 2023.
Washington County Regional Medical Center is one of eight hospitals chosen to participate in a Pilot Pediatric Program through a partnership with Mercer University School of Medicine (Mercer) and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta (Children’s) which aims to improve pediatric health in rural Georgia.
On February 22nd, Governor Brian Kemp announced the initiative, which is funded by a dedicated $200 million long-term sustainable fund allocated by the Children’s Board of Trustees in 2022. “On behalf of all Georgians, especially those who live in rural parts of our state, I want to thank Mercer University School of Medicine and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta for partnering to tackle this critical need,” stated Kemp. “Since day one on the job, my administration has worked to bring more healthcare options and better health outcomes to all parts of our state, and this partnership will help us make an important step toward that goal. I’m grateful for their efforts and look forward to the impact this program will have.”
Mercer and Children’s proposed pilot projects will help rural hospital emergency rooms be “Kid Ready,” support rural pediatricians with telehealth specialty consults and work with schools, pediatricians, and hospitals to create a comprehensive approach to pediatric mental health through virtual services and a focus on suicide awareness and prevention.
“As a pediatrician practicing in a rural area, I am thrilled about the collaboration between Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and Mercer School of Medicine,” said Dr. Jennifer Tarbutton, Mercer School of Medicine Board of Governors Chair. Children’s is recognized as a premier provider of pediatric care in the nation, and as a graduate of their pediatric residency program, I know firsthand the value of this program. This collaboration and Mercer’s planned pilots are the first step to creating access to educational opportunities and top-quality specialists for pediatricians in rural Georgia.”
“I am also a proud graduate of the School of Medicine and also know firsthand how committed Mercer is to educate physicians who work in rural areas to provide high quality medical care to all ages. In addition, Mercer continues to work in areas of research to understand the disparities in health and to find the best solutions to correct these differences. The state of Georgia is fortunate to have both Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and Mercer School of Medicine working together to strengthen pediatric care across our state.”
“The past few years have impacted kids and healthcare providers across the state. Children’s is very excited to work with Mercer University School of Medicine and the Georgia Rural Health Innovation Center (GRHIC), as a trusted community partner suited to guide us in addressing the current and future needs of Georgia’s rural pediatric population. We believe that together we can make an impact on kids in Georgia’s rural communities now and for generations to come,” said Donna Hyland, CEO at Children’s.
WCRMC’s Interim CEO, Kerry Trapnell, stated, “We are honored to be selected as one of the eight hospitals in the state to participate in the program. Children in Washington County should have the same access to excellent pediatric care right here, close to home. We are extremely blessed to have Dr. Tarbutton be an integral part of this program as well.”
For more information about the services offered at Washington County Regional Medical Center, call 478-240-2000, or visit online at www.wcrmc.com.
ABOUT WCRMC: Washington County Regional Medical Center (WCRMC) is committed to providing our diverse patient population with the highest quality of care. Serving patients from 5 counties, we consistently add services to enhance healthcare in our area and be instrumental in our community’s health and happiness. WCRMC is a licensed 56-bed general acute care hospital with a 60-bed extended care facility that provides high-quality, patient-centered care. Inpatient and outpatient surgery, 24-hour emergency services, Imaging, Rehabilitation, Respiratory Therapy, Cardiac Rehabilitation, Swing-Bed, ICU, Telemedicine, Lab, and Ambulance Services are also available at the facility, along with a Pediatric Clinic, Sleep Center, Family Practice, a Specialty Clinic offering Cardiac, Interventional Pain Care and Orthopedic Services.
ABOUT MERCER: Mercer University School of Medicine was established in 1982 to educate physicians and health professionals to meet the primary care and health care needs of Georgia's rural and medically underserved areas. Today, more than 60 percent of graduates currently practice in Georgia, and of those, more than 80 percent are practicing in rural or medically underserved areas of Georgia. Mercer medical students benefit from a problem-based medical education program that provides early patient care experiences. Such an academic environment fosters the early development of clinical problem-solving and instills in each student an awareness of the place of the basic medical sciences in medical practice.
ABOUT CHILDREN'S: As Georgia's only freestanding pediatric healthcare system, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta is the trusted leader in caring for kids. The not-for-profit organization’s mission is to make kids better today and healthier tomorrow through more than 60 pediatric specialties and programs, top healthcare professionals, and leading research and technology. Children’s is one of the country's largest pediatric clinical care providers, managing more than one million patient visits annually at three hospitals, Marcus Autism Center, the Center for Advanced Pediatrics, urgent care centers, and neighborhood locations. Consistently ranked among the top children’s hospitals by U.S. News & World Report, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta has impacted the lives of kids in Georgia, across the United States, and around the world for more than 100 years, thanks to generous support from the community.
MEDIA CONTACT: Vickie Lane | Marketing & PR Manager
Washington County Regional Medical Center
Email: vlane@wcrmc.com | Office: 478-240-2000 Ext. 2085
610 Sparta Road | Sandersville, GA 31082 | www.wcrmc.com
Photo courtesy of Mercer University
