Meadows Receives State Grant Money

Thirteen hospitals in rural Georgia will receive $6 million in grants through a state program that will give them a choice of how to use the money.

The Georgia Department of Community Health's Dual Track Rural Hospital Support program gives grant recipients the option of choosing between funding new or existing graduate medical education programs or providing direct hospital support.

'Since I took office, my administration has worked to deliver on the promise that we would work with state and local partners to develop Georgia's rural communities, including efforts to improve our rural health-care system,' Gov. Brian Kemp said Tuesday.

'These awards will provide further support to those hospitals that serve rural Georgians and communities in need.'

The largest of the grants — $1 million — are going to Archbold Memorial Hospital in Thomasville and the Colquitt Regional Medical Center in Moultrie.

Atrium Health Navicent Baldwin in Milledgeville, Emanuel Medical Center in Swainsboro, Effingham Medical Center in Springfield, Putnam General Hospital in Eatonton, and Washington County Regional Medical Center in Sandersville will receive $500,000 each.

Grants of $250,000 are going to Coffee Regional Medical Center in Douglas, Memorial Health Meadows Hospital in Vidalia, Fairview Park Hospital in Dublin, Jefferson Hospital in Louisville, Upson Regional Medical Center in Thomaston, and Union General Hospital in Blairsville.

The grant program is funded through the state's Rural Hospital Stabilization Grant, established in 2014. Since then, it has awarded more than $40 million in grant funding.

'These grant awards reflect our commitment to addressing the health-care needs of rural hospitals and providing effective solutions,' said Joel Presley, executive director of the State Office of Rural Health. 'These funds will provide support to initiatives that address critical needs for both Georgia's rural hospitals and citizens.'