Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr., (GA-02) is pleased to announce that Mercer University has been awarded $99,994 from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) through its Rural Health Network Development Planning Grant Program. The program helps organizations plan and develop integrated, collaborative health networks. The goal is to expand access to and improve the quality of basic health care services and health outcomes in rural communities.

“Quality healthcare is crucial for every community. Rural communities face unique obstacles maintaining facilities and services that provide families with the care they need close to home. This can be particularly challenging when facing public heath crises,” said Congressman Bishop. “I will always work in Congress to make sure that programs like the Rural Health Network Development Program have the resources to support our communities. With these funds, Mercer University can continue to be at the forefront helping all of Georgia improve rural healthcare and fight opioid abuse.”

“Mercer University School of Medicine is committed to our mission of improving healthcare for rural Georgia. Addressing the opioid epidemic is vitally important for all of our country and especially important in underserved rural areas of our state,” said Jean Sumner, MD, FACP, Dean of Mercer University School of Medicine.

“With the SERVE Health Network planning project, we aim to address critical health disparities for those impacted by the opioid epidemic in North Georgia's rural counties of Fannin, Gilmer, Gordon, and Polk,” said Sherrie Williams of Mercer University School of Medicine, who serves as project manager on this program. “Awarded $99,994 for a one-year planning period, our project will assess and strategize the implementation of a telehealth network leveraging local Recovery Community Organizations to improve healthcare access and quality for community members who are in or seeking recovery and/or treatment. Along with researcher Dr. Allen Tindol, the project will focus on evaluating healthcare needs, developing an implementation plan for expanded healthcare services, and enhancing the rural healthcare system's resilience and effectiveness.”

The Rural Health Network Development Planning Grant Program is sponsored by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). To be eligible for this program, applicants must have experience serving or the capacity to serve rural underserved populations.