Georgia Public Broadcasting and Mercer University School of Medicine will co-host a free screening of the award-winning documentary film The Providers on March 26 from 2-4 p.m. in the Medical School Auditorium. A panel discussion will follow the screening.
 
Set against the backdrop of the physician shortage and opioid epidemic in rural America, The Providers follows three “country doctors” in New Mexico at clinics offering care to all, regardless of ability to pay.
 
As their personal struggles at times reflect those of their patients, these providers work to reach rural Americans who would otherwise be left without health care.
 
The film, which was released last April, has won several awards on the film festival circuit, including the Humanitarian Award at the International Documentary Film Festival, the Spirit of Activism Award at the San Francisco Documentary Festival and the Hernandez/Bayliss Prize for Triumph of the Human Spirit at the Middlebury New Filmmakers Festival.
 
After the screening, faculty from the School of Medicine and other local healthcare providers will participate in the panel discussion about health care in rural Georgia.
 
The event is open to the public, with parking available in the lot adjacent to the School of Medicine.