Rural Alabamians face increasingly long drives for healthcare. 44% of Alabamians live in rural areas. Many of those rural Alabamians live in counties with no hospital. Even in counties where there are hospitals, there is often a death of specialists. Many Alabamians live in counties with no OB-GYN, and expectant mothers must drive many miles to a neighboring county for prenatal care. Recognizing the need, Monroe County will soon set a new standard for women’s healthcare.
USA Health, Franklin Primary Health Center, and Monroe County Hospital have recently agreed to work together to fill this healthcare gap. This new clinic in Evergreen will be the area’s first OB-GYN and women’s health clinic. Not only will this new clinic increase access, but this partnership also enables women to take part in “whole person care,” which integrates physical, mental, and reproductive health for women and their families.
Dr. Mimi Munn, M.D., is a professor and chair of obstetrics and gynecology at the Frederick P. Whiddon College of Medicine at the University of South Alabama and a maternal-fetal medicine physician at USA Health.
Dr. Munn said that it is vital for all women to maintain good health, no matter their age. “But you can’t maintain good health without adequate access to care. USA Health is a leader in women’s health and is renowned for its integrated specialty care, but we can’t reach every woman in southwest Alabama. This collaboration aims to help address that fragmentation by increasing women’s access to primary care services, with seamless access to both Monroe County Hospital and USA Health’s specialty care when they need it,” Munn stated.
Economic developer Dr. Nicole Jones told Alabama Today, “For patients who live in rural areas, distance from home, including the time and money it takes to travel to appointments, is often a barrier to receiving proper medical care. Patients may make it to one appointment but never return for follow-up visits, which can pose health risks. USA Health, Franklin Primary Health Center, and Monroe County Hospital understand the challenges in rural obstetrics and gynecology and have sought to fill in the gap by offering comprehensive health services for women and girls. It is a step in the right direction for ladies who may not be able to travel to Mobile or Montgomery for care. Thank you to all of the organizations and physicians for your compassion and willingness to work in Alabama’s underserved areas.”
The new clinic will open in 2023, providing comprehensive healthcare services for adolescents, teens, and women. The three organizations also plan to create a closely integrated program with shared clinical protocols and care coordination. There will be shared clinical leadership between Franklin and USA Health, as USA Health’s high-quality specialists work directly with Franklin’s providers, and high-risk pregnancies are closely monitored by providers at Monroe County Hospital.
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