The new OnMed Care Station at the Gainesville Municipal Complex in Sumter County, AL (submitted photo)

Story: Lisa Sollie

Excitement filled the air at the Gainesville Municipal Complex in Sumter County as the community gathered for the unveiling and ribbon cutting of the OnMed Care Station. This innovative telehealth solution provides patients with the same services they would expect in a traditional doctor鈥檚 office鈥攊ncluding vital checks, diagnostic tools, and access to healthcare professionals, via a telemedicine interface.

The successful installation of this station marks the culmination of a collaborative effort between the baby直播 (UWA) through its Connecting Minority Communities (CMC) grant pilot program, Auburn University鈥檚 Rural Health Initiative, and OnMed. The CMC program, under the direction of Rodney Granec, UWA鈥檚 executive director of sponsored programs, research, and outreach worked in partnership with Hollie Cost, Auburn University鈥檚 assistant vice president for university outreach and public service, to make this project possible.

Through this partnership, Granec has played a key role in overseeing the installation of the care stations in both Gainesville (Sumter County) and Boligee (Greene County). According to Cost, without UWA鈥檚 involvement, Auburn鈥檚 Rural Health Initiative would not have been able to provide vital healthcare access to these rural communities.

At the ribbon cutting, Gainesville Mayor Colter Nelson thanked Auburn University and OnMed for choosing his community and for their contributions to the project. But it was Granec鈥檚 work securing internet service for the station that truly stood out. 鈥淩odney realized we didn鈥檛 have the internet service necessary to take full advantage of the project Auburn wanted to bring to our community,鈥 Mayor Nelson shared.  鈥淭hrough the CMC grant, he partnered with Starlink and OnMed, working with UWA鈥檚 IT department to create a solution. We are grateful for his work and proud that he calls this community home.鈥

For UWA’s provost, Tina N. Jones, the event was about more than just the OnMed Care Station, it was a celebration for Sumter County, Gainesville, and the entire baby直播 Black Belt region. 鈥淭his ribbon cutting is tangible proof that when we work together鈥攍everaging our resources, putting aside our differences, and viewing challenges as opportunities 鈥攚e can improve the quality of life in our region,鈥 she said.

Katie Smith, an assistant professor at UWA鈥檚 College of Nursing, a county commissioner, and a fourth-generation resident of Gainesville, believes the OnMed Care Station will transform healthcare access in the area. 鈥淔or workers and farmers like my husband, who would never take time off to see a doctor, this station is a game-changer,鈥 Smith explained. 鈥淚t鈥檚 going to be invaluable for our community, especially for the middle generation and those just entering the workforce.鈥

As a nursing professor, Smith is also excited about the collaboration between UWA鈥檚 College of Nursing and the Gainesville OnMed site. Through this partnership, UWA nursing students will provide healthcare screenings and patient education twice yearly as part of a community service initiative. 鈥淭his is a fantastic opportunity for students to gain hands-on experience in assessment and patient education while also giving back to our community,鈥 Smith added. 鈥淚 can鈥檛 wait to see how our students engage with and care for people from all walks of life who visit the OnMed site.鈥

Bertha Pruitt speaks with an OnMed representative
Pruitt uses the camera to show an OnMed practitioner the burn on her wrist

One of the first residents to take advantage of the care station was 84-year-old Bertha Pruitt, who used the station after suffering a burn while cooking. 鈥淲hen I went to the complex and spoke to the practitioner through the screen, I showed them the burn using the camera that comes down from the ceiling,鈥 Pruitt recalled. 鈥淭hey prescribed some cream, which I picked up at the local drug store. It was almost like being in a doctor鈥檚 office, and the best part was I didn鈥檛 have to travel 50 miles just to get care.鈥

鈥淭he core of UWA鈥檚 mission,鈥 notes Jones, 鈥渋s service and outreach to our region. Like our partners, we are committed to rural renewal, revitalization and growth. We are excited that this care station is here, and we look forward to coming together on future projects like this one that make a real difference for residents in west baby直播.鈥

Connecting Minority Communities pilot program is federally funded through grants from the聽鈥檚听聽(NTIA).聽Allison Brantley, director of economic development for UWA鈥檚 Division of Economic and Workforce Development, serves as project director.

Download the OnMed Information Flyer