The Monroe County Hospital (MCH) Emergency Department was recognized for its commitment to strengthening pediatric emergency care in Monroe County during a May 17 ribbon-cutting ceremony. Monroe County Hospital was celebrated for reaching key milestones as a participating hospital in the Kids Alliance for Better Care (KidsABC). The Alliance, established in 2023, is a collaboration between Mercer University School of Medicine (MUSM), its Georgia Rural Health Innovation Center (GRHIC) and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta (Children’s).

Georgia rural hospitals face unique challenges in their ability to treat and keep pediatric patients in their communities, and KidsABC is focused on improving access to quality pediatric care.

“Prior to KidsABC, Monroe County Hospital did not have the resources to have staff attend pediatric-specific educational training sessions, so this has been pivotal for our staff and a morale boost for them,” said Casey Fleckenstein, hospital administrator and chief nursing officer of Monroe County Hospital. “While we already had pediatric supplies and equipment prior to KidsABC, much of it was outdated and less user-friendly compared to what we have today.” 

KidsABC helps participating hospitals, like Monroe County Hospital, acquire child-friendly equipment, complete pediatric-specific emergency care staff training and implement the latest protocols and policies for treating children with critical conditions, such as asthma and diabetic ketoacidosis.

“KidsABC has transformed pediatric emergency care at Monroe County Hospital and has significantly impacted the entire community,” said Fleckenstein. “We have been able to send all of our emergency room staff for the most up-to-date education from the best of the best, and we have the opportunity to continue providing training for new and tenured staff. With the help of KidsABC, we have been able to update and implement protocols to help our staff be better equipped with the knowledge needed for treating the pediatric population. We have been able to update our supplies and add additional equipment to enhance the quality of care that our pediatric patients receive here at MCH. In addition to equipment and supplies, we also now have quick access to pediatric specialty physicians from Children’s. These efforts help families feel supported and confident in the care available close to home!”

Monroe County Hospital commemorated its KidsABC participation and completion of milestones with a ribbon cutting hosted by the Forsyth-Monroe Chamber of Commerce and attended by hospital, Children’s, Mercer University School of Medicine, and GRHIC representatives. As part of the celebration, community members were invited to a free Sun-Sational Summer Kickoff event.

 “Today marks a very important moment for kids in rural Georgia and in Monroe County,” said Mercer University School of Medicine Dean Jean R. Sumner, M.D., FACP. “We are honored to recognize the ED staff for their dedication to pediatric emergency care training and refining their skills to provide the best care for kids. Children are not just tiny adults when it comes to the practice of emergency medicine. They require special care and appropriate equipment and tools to help keep their care here at home. Monroe County Hospital has been a strong, committed KidsABC participant and has set the bar very high for pediatric care. We commend the efforts of the staff and leadership. They are making a difference in children’s lives and will continue to do so for years to come.”

“Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta congratulates Monroe County Hospital on achieving this milestone,” said Marc Welsh, Children’s V.P. of child advocacy and chief diversity officer. “The objectives of KidsABC align with Children’s vision to ‘Do Everything Possible to Make Anything Possible for Kids’. We want to ensure all the children of Georgia have access to quality health care and, by participating in KidsABC, hospitals like Monroe County Hospital are building capacity to serve even more kids in their own communities.”

KidsABC brings together a network of rural hospital emergency departments, pediatric offices, regional and state pediatric tertiary care hospitals and school systems to address the challenge of health care access, which many rural families face. KidsABC participants are equipped with the necessary tools, protocols, training and education, so families have access to subspecialty care, mental health care and emergency medical care in their hometowns.

Programs within KidsABC address the challenges of distance to specialty care and limited resources. KidsABC emphasizes the importance of early intervention in achieving positive outcomes. Children’s provided specialized pediatric clinical guidance to launch and sustain these programs.