Access to quality healthcare is a persistent challenge in rural communities, often due to limited infrastructure and provider shortages. Addressing this issue, OnMed has partnered with Auburn University to deploy five innovative OnMed Care Stations across rural Alabama, blending telemedicine with in-person medical services to create a hybrid model of care. These stations, inspired by a shared commitment to equity and accessibility, have quickly become essential medical homes in underserved areas like LaFayette, where nearly half the community has utilized their services. The partnership leverages cutting-edge technology, human-centric care, and data-driven insights to deliver vital healthcare while addressing systemic disparities. This collaboration transforms healthcare access, serving as a blueprint for equitable care in underserved regions, and demonstrating the power of innovation and community engagement.

Auburn University Master of Community Planning (MCP) students leveraged their expertise to address issues in the Butler community just outside of Montgomery by turning residents' needs into actionable plans.

The capstone studio is the final requirement to earn an MCP degree. The course tasks students with working in a real community to develop real solutions.

Professor Rebecca Retzlaff said the course combines everything they learn in the program about planning history, theory, methods and concepts into a project that benefits the community.

The article highlights the pivotal roles played by Fire Chiefs Jim Doody and Mike Gibson, alongside Kate Bouchillon, in transforming rural healthcare through Auburn University’s Rural Health Initiative. Chief Doody, of Chambers County, champions innovations like nurse ride-alongs and OnMed Care Stations to address healthcare gaps, inspiring community engagement and leadership. Chief Gibson, of Greene County, emphasizes the accessibility and impact of OnMed stations for underserved residents, advocating for affordable and consistent care. Kate Bouchillon, coordinator for Auburn’s Health Ambassador Program, fosters trust and resource connections within rural communities, empowering ambassadors to break down barriers and promote health awareness. Together, their collaborative efforts are reshaping attitudes toward healthcare and driving meaningful change in Alabama’s rural communities.

This partnership has the potential to create a cohesive support system for GUA students with tailored programming addressing academic, career and personal development needs,” said Andrea Rains, GEAR UP Achieve region 3 school liaison. “This collaboration ensures students have access to resources, mentorship and guidance from both school-based and career-focused perspectives, enhancing their ability to set and achieve goals.

The Auburn University Rural Health Initiative has taken significant strides in improving healthcare access for underserved populations in Alabama, especially in the Black Belt region. One of the cornerstone innovations of this effort is the integration of OnMed Telehealth Stations—state-of-the-art, self-contained healthcare stations that offer virtual consultations with licensed medical professionals. These stations, alongside mobile telehealth carts, are revolutionizing healthcare access by providing convenient, remote consultations for individuals in areas with limited access to primary care.

As of September 2024, five OnMed stations are operational across 5 counties in Alabama, with 733 patient consults completed in just the first nine months of the year. These stations address a range of healthcare needs, with the most common conditions treated being respiratory issues and hypertension. The stations have seen an 81% rate of visits resulting in prescriptions, indicating their critical role in providing effective care. In fact, 99% of patients report that their health needs were met well or very well, underscoring the success of the initiative in improving patient satisfaction and health outcomes.

The Office of Professional and Continuing Education (OPCE) offers many learning opportunities for the public. Three of the premier course offerings are the Pottery, Photography and Basic Handgun Safety classes.

These classes are very different in subject, but all three create spaces for connecting.

Sefton’s outreach and community-engaged scholarship focuses on improving performance, enhancing health and wellness, and reducing injury among tactical athletes—including military personnel, police, firefighters and first responders. Her work through the Warrior Athlete Training program has impacted over 860,000 soldiers, treating over 510,000 new injuries and saving 1,692,872 soldier training hours by reducing lost training time due to injury, reflecting a savings to the US Army in over $30,518,419 in medical costs. Sefton has also developed specialized training programs for the Auburn University ROTC program, the City of Auburn’s Police and Fire Departments as well as area college and school systems. Sefton’s distinguished academic, research and outreach engagement is having a positive and lasting impact on military, tactical athletes and students, and she serves as an exemplar of Auburn’s commitment to outreach and community engagement.

Full list of award recipients

Auburn University’s College of Education and University Outreach are launching a new Rural Teacher Fellowship program in the spring to address the shortage of teachers in rural Alabama. The first two fellows, Mary Wheelock and Jessie Barclay, both seniors in the College of Education, will conduct their clinical residency in Eclectic, Alabama. The program, funded by Auburn’s Tiger Giving Day and the Daniel Foundation, offers $3,000 stipends and housing provided by Children’s Harbor. The fellows will engage with the local community and reflect on their experiences, aiming to transform rural education in Alabama.