Dori Harmon, who lives in rural Lafayette, Chambers County, started having severe headaches in August. Her doctor ruled out problems with her heart, brain or spine, but she didn't know why her headaches continued. When Harmon tried to make an appointment with her neurologist, she was told she would have to wait more than six months.

“I told my family I couldn't wait that long, my head was going to explode,” Harmon said. “I couldn't even brush my hair without experiencing extreme pain.”

However, after only visiting once, OnMed Care Station at Chambers County Community Health Center That was all it took to turn things around.

“The doctors did a great job!” she said. “She prescribed me the right medication and advised me how to see a neurologist early. I was able to start taking the medication that day and am on the road to recovery.”

Not only was Mr. Harmon properly diagnosed and treated, but the appointment price was reasonable and the wait time was short. Best of all, she didn't have to travel more than 30 minutes out of town to receive medical care.

Convenient and affordable access to health care can transform the lives of people living in rural areas, and Auburn University has a mission to continue expanding that access across Alabama.university rural health initiative was recently awarded a telemedicine grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to install telemedicine carts at 14 locations across the state. These include four hub sites where health care providers see patients remotely and 10 community sites where patients can receive care.

Once installed, the equipment will improve access to health care for more than 43,000 residents in about 12 counties across the state, including mental health care through Auburn University Psychological Services, substance use disorder treatment through UAB Beacon Recovery, and Opportunities for primary care will be provided through. Alabama Medical Center – Lanier. Patients using the Telemedicine Cart will be supported by: Alabama Cooperative Extension System Staff, community health ambassadors, Auburn faculty and students will be on site.

“Funding provided by the Department of Agriculture will help us continue to expand our rural health initiatives to more locations,” said Holly Kost, assistant vice president for university outreach and public service. “Alabama is the second-unhealthiest state in the nation, and we want to make an impact and change that. In addition to the partnerships we are building, we bring that passion to the We are absolutely confident that we, together with all of our people, will make this a reality.”

Lack of access to hospitals, mental health care, and primary care in rural areas costs Alabama $31.3 billion in annual health care costs and an additional $13.4 billion in lost employee productivity.

Niboree Gordon, Alabama Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Director, is grateful for the City of Auburn's partnership in bringing health and wellness to the state's residents who need it most.

“Thank you, the Auburn family, for your investment in our community,” Gordon said. “Recognize that this type of investment has a huge impact on the lives of the people we serve. In Alabama, we need to do a better job, work together to make this a better place to live.” We’re going to make it a place, so keep doing what you’re doing.”

Counties accepting telemedicine equipment

• Barber
• block
• chambers
• clay
• Coosa
• elmore
• Macon
• randolph
• Tallapoosa