Auburn University Rural Health Initiative: Partnering with communities to increase access to high quality and affordable health and wellness care throughout rural Alabama.
Auburn University’s Rural Health Initiative employs a community-based approach to serve local healthcare needs through the innovative technology of the OnMed® Telehealth Station coupled with hands-on wellness care provided by University faculty and students.
Background
University Outreach Alabama Cooperative Extension System are addressing significant health disparities across rural Alabama in partnership with the Colleges of Pharmacy, Nursing, Human Sciences, the Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences program and with full engagement of the communities involved. Based on the strength of the leadership and the significance of community needs, we launched this initiative in our neighboring community, LaFayette, Alabama. The Auburn University team members have worked closely with city leaders and the Chambers County Commission to develop a health services delivery that meets their unique needs.
Based on grants secured through Alabama Department of Finance and the United States Department of Agriculture, sites are being developed in 14 additional locations throughout the Black Belt and East Alabama. Each site will provide healthcare through telehealth technologies as well as health and wellness services provided by university students and faculty from multiple disciplines.
Chambers County as well as four Black Belt locations will receive telehealth through OnMed®, an accessible and innovative healthcare option. The telehealth station provides users with an affordable, private, and efficient experience by facilitating a real-time patient encounter with an Alabama licensed clinician in a virtual setting using diagnostic tools available for practitioner-guided self-use.
Residents in ten East Alabama locations will receive care in the areas of mental health (through Auburn University), substance use disorder treatment (through UAB-Beacon) and primary health (through East Alabama Health) care through telehealth carts in addition to the support of faculty and students in health-related disciplines.
In the News
Boosting Rural Healthcare: Auburn and UWA Partner to Enhance Care via Starlink
Alabama Cooperative Extension System: A Pivotal Partner in Enhancing Rural Healthcare
Auburn University, Alabama Extension Bridging Health Care Gaps in Rural Communities
Timeline
Discussions and regional convenings to focus upon solutions to address rural health disparities with campus and community-based partners began in October 2020. The team formalized their commitment to launch the rural health project in Chambers County through a Memorandum of Understanding in August of 2021. Other key junctures in the project are noted by interacting with the timeline below.
October 2020
Introductory meetings and program proposal discussions.
October 2020 - Present
Conceptualizing and planning meetings with AU faculty.
November 2020
Site visits.
December 2020 - June 2021
Budgeting, Securing Funding
July 2021 - January 2024
Continued Community Engagement
August 2021 - December 2021
Secure MOU, Licensing Agreement, ADECA Grant
March 2022 - January 2023
Outreach Activities
November 2022 - January 2023
Site Preparation
February 2023
Soft Launch of Center, Demonstrations Begin
February 2023 - April 2023
Health and Wellness Programming, OnMed Demonstrations
April 2023
Grand Opening Event
August 2023
Secured funding to install 4 care stations in the Black Belt
September 2023
Secured funding to install telehealth equipment in 10 locations across East Alabama to provide primary care, Substance Use Disorder treatment and Mental Health treatment
September 2023
Black Belt Community Health Conversations began
March 2024
Secured MOA with Wilcox County to develop a health and wellness program with an OnMed care station
July 2024
OnMed Care Station installations in Wilcox and Greene Counties
August 2024
Site Visits to Hale County and Sumter County to identify additional sites
Mission
Increase healthcare access and improve health outcomes throughout Rural Alabama while providing impactful experiences for students in health-related fields through unequaled collaboration between resources of Auburn University, the Alabama Cooperative Extension System (ACES) and Alabama communities.
Vision
Be the leader of innovative healthcare solutions in the State of Alabama by ensuring every community has quality healthcare resources and students have impactful experiences in rural Alabama.
Values
- Prioritize interunit, interprofessional, and collaborative work and ensure that all stakeholders are honored, respected, and represented within the initiative.
- Instill a team-based, interprofessional approach to healthcare delivery among healthcare faculty, staff, students, and partners.
- Lead the initiative with honesty, integrity, and transparency.
- Make valuable contributions and lead meaningful change to ensure healthcare equity within the state of Alabama.
- Deliver real-world, practical solutions to advance healthcare equality in the state of Alabama.
- Leverage the synergy of the university’s tripartite mission to maximize impact on rural health equity.
- Improve health disparities and population health outcomes.
Model
Leadership
As a community based-and collaboratively led initiative, Auburn University campus and community partners work to ensure that community health and wellness remain at the forefront. For this reason, each partner plays a key role in all planning and decision-making. Auburn University is honored to spearhead the rural health project in Chambers County and work alongside stellar community leaders in Chambers County and the City of LaFayette as equal partners. Key project leaders are listed and updated regularly as the project evolves.
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Auburn University
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Project Leadership
- Royrickers Cook, Vice President for University Outreach and Associate Provost
- Eve Brantley, Associate Director, Alabama Cooperative Extension System
- Hollie Cost, Assistant Vice President for University Outreach and Public Service
- Linda Gibson-Young, Professor of Nursing and Nursing Outreach Coordinator
- Jennifer Kerpelman, Associate Vice President for Research
- Tim Moore, Interim Dean for the Harrison College of Pharmacy
- Rachel Snoddy, Chambers County Extension Coordinator
- Chippewa Thomas, Director, Faculty Outreach and Engagement
- Laura Downey, Assistant Director, Alabama Cooperative Extension System
- Kimberly Braxton Lloyd, Associate Dean of Clinical Affairs and Outreach, Harrison College of Pharmacy
- Laura Plexico, College of Liberal Arts, Associate Dean of Engagement and Graduate Studies
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Project Leadership
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Chambers County
- Sam Bradford, Chambers County Commissioner
- Chris Busby, Deputy Director, Chambers County Economic Development
- Debra Riley, Chambers County Commissioner
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City of LaFayette
- Louis Davidson, City Clerk
- Jim Doody, Fire Chief
- Kenneth Vines, Mayor
Funders
In the true spirit of collaboration, the Chambers County Community Health and Wellness center is supported through grants and monetary contributions by The Alabama Cooperative Extension System, the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA), the Alabama Department of Finance, the Alfa Corporation, Auburn University, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Chambers County Commission, The City of LaFayette, and the USDA. Many thanks to our funders!
LaFayette, Chambers County
The Chambers County Community Health and Wellness Center is located conveniently within walking distance of the Department of Human Resources as well as grocery, dining and other establishments.
Housed in a vacated medical clinic, the building provides space for expansion as well as full accessibility for individuals with disabilities.
Primarily a commuter community, LaFayette is home to a population of 2,922 according to the 2020 Census. Situated on land once controlled by the Creek Indian Nation, the town’s economic driver is the logging industry. In spite of the network of support in this community, the health outcomes and health factors in Chambers County remain among the lowest in the state. Specifically, there is a high prevalence of diabetes, HIV, child mortality, and frequent physical and mental distress.
View additional health rankings for Chambers County.
Location Information
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Chambers County Community Health and Wellness Center
404 9th Avenue, LaFayette, AL 36862
(334) 459-0173
Hours of Operation
We are currently open
- Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
- Saturday, 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM
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Community Information
Boligee, Greene County
Greene County Community Health and Wellness services are provided within the Boligee Community Center to address community interests and needs based on significant community input.
With a population of 308, Boligee’s residents are the greatest assets.
Economic development in Greene County (population 7,422) is driven by the production of beef cattle, catfish, timber, and cotton. Despite the network of support in the community, residents are still facing a high prevalence of HIV, diabetes, poor mental health, and frequent physical and mental distress Greene County’s health factors and health outcomes remain among the lowest in the state.
View additional health rankings for Greene County.
Location Information
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Boligee Community Center
17404 Co Rd 20
Boligee, AL 35443
Hours of Operation
- Currently open for demonstrations by appointment only. Contact Mr. Doug Fulghum, ddf0007@auburn.edu.
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Regular operating hours will be:
- Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Community Information
Akron, Hale County
The Hale County OnMed Station is located inside the Akron Public Library at 207 1st Ave South, Akron, AL. With dedicated hours on Tuesday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM and Wednesday and Thursday from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM, this station brings essential health services closer to Akron residents.
Akron has a population of approximately 285 according to the 2020 Census, a rural community in Hale County (population of 14,742). Known for its rich Black Belt soil and deep agricultural roots, Hale County is a cornerstone of Alabama’s farming heritage.
Health outcomes in Hale County are among the most critical in the state. Residents face significant health challenges, including high rates of obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease, compounded by limited access to consistent medical care.
View additional health rankings for Hale County.
Location Information
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Hale County OnMed Station
Akron Public Library
207 1st Ave South, Akron, AL
Hours of Operation
We are currently open
- Tuesday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- Wednesday & Thursday, 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Both the Sumter and Hale County OnMed Stations are made possible through a partnership with the University of West Alabama, ensuring accessible health services for rural communities in need.
Gainsville, Sumter County
The Sumter County OnMed Station is conveniently located within the Gainesville Municipal Complex at 10900 State St, Gainesville, AL 35464. This central location provides easy access to essential health services for local residents.
Gainesville, home to 190 residents as of the 2020 Census, lies in the western part of Sumter County (population of 12,196). Historically significant as a riverport town along the Tombigbee River, Gainesville played a vital role in Alabama’s economic development during the 19th century. Today, Sumter County relies on agriculture, timber, and education as its primary economic drivers.
Despite the strong community spirit and support systems, health outcomes and factors in Sumter County remain among the lowest in the state. The area continues to face challenges such as high rates of diabetes, hypertension, and frequent physical and mental distress.
View additional health rankings for Sumter County.
Location Information
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Sumter County OnMed Station
Gainesville Municipal Complex
10900 State St, Gainesville, AL 35464
Hours of Operation
We are currently open
- Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Both the Sumter and Hale County OnMed Stations are made possible through a partnership with the University of West Alabama, ensuring accessible health services for rural communities in need.
Catherine, Wilcox County
Located within the Elijah Tracy Shaw III Community Center, Wilcox County Health and Wellness Services aims to incorporate community input and provide a happier, healthier future for residents.
Catherine is a tight-knit community of 65 residents, located in the northeast corner of the county.
Wilcox County, with a population of 10,059, provides timber and paper products from the MacMillan Bloedel Paper Mill of Pine Hill. Though community support is strong, Wilcox County’s health factors and health outcomes remain the lowest in the state. Residents are facing a high prevalence of child mortality, diabetes, physical inactivity, and obesity.
View additional health rankings for Wilcox County.
Location Information
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Elijah Tracy Shaw III Community Center
17349 Al Highway 5
Catherine, AL 36728
Hours of Operation
- Currently open for demonstrations by appointment only. Contact Ms. Shareka Johns, szj0118@auburn.edu.
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Regular operating hours will be:
- Monday/Wednesday/Friday, 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
- Tuesday/Thursday, 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Community Information
For more information visit the "Get to know your community" tool.
Services
In addition to medical diagnostic and treatment provided through telehealth, Auburn University faculty and student provide health and wellness screenings and education in these areas and others as prioritized by communities.
- Diagnostic evaluations conducted through telehealth services
- Speech, language and hearing evaluations and treatment
- Medication management strategies
- Asthma self-care
- Diabetes management
- Health and nutrition programming
- Vaccinations and testing for COVID and other infectious diseases
- Pop-up clinics providing health and wellness education at locations throughout the community
FAQs
Auburn University Outreach began exploring options to expand healthcare access, particularly in rural regions adversely impacted by COVID-19. By partnering with university leaders in Pharmacy, Nursing, Human Sciences and Alabama Cooperative Extension System the team vetted telehealth and service delivery options. The collaborative team developed a model that integrated telehealth, outreach, public/private partnerships with a patient-centric focus.
The Rural Health Initiative partners with communities to increase access to high quality and affordable health and wellness care throughout rural Alabama. In addition, it offers a growing network of educational programming addressing physical, mental, and relational health needs.
The Center is the physical location in LaFayette where the services developed by the Rural Health Initiative team are delivered and where the telehealth station is located. Project leadership aim to develop similar programming throughout rural Alabama.
We are currently open Weekdays 7:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. and weekends from 1:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. based on community input.
The OnMed® telehealth station features the most advanced technology available in telehealth. This standalone unit enables patients to have a life-size, private, real-time virtual experience with a licensed medical professional using self-guided diagnostic tools. Upon exit, patients receive prescriptions for any necessary medication, or the unit dispenses the medication instantly.
The project is supported through in-kind and financial contributions by Auburn University, community partners, corporate, state, and federal grants.
There are no costs associated with attending events or participating in health and wellness education at the Center. There is a sliding scale for billable services. For an initial time period, telehealth station visits are free of charge.
Last Updated: November 21, 2024