By SHERRY DIGMON
News Publisher
Think no one cares about your opinion? Well, someone does.
The folks at Atmore Community Hospital (ACH), Escambia County Healthcare Authority (ECHCA) and the Delta Region Community Health Systems Development (DRCHSD) care.
Thursday, November 7, the ACH Community Kickoff Campaign was held with about 25 people from across the area meeting to share opinions, concerns, and ideas on how to improve the community and build relations between the community and the community hospital.
The meeting was facilitated in large part by Leah Williams who represents Atmore Community Hospital as the Community Champion for the DRCHSD grant program. This is a three-year federal grant that assists rural communities in identifying the health needs in the community along with identifying community leaders and/or partners who can lead the community to a healthier place to live and call home.
“Community partners” represents individuals from various groups including law enforcement, faith-based organizations, healthcare providers, business owners, government officials, educators, social service-based organizations, and more.
The purpose of the kickoff was to create an opportunity for Atmore Community Hospital to 1) highlight their current and emerging services;
2) highlight collaboration that is already taking place; and
3) understand community members’ and community joint partners’ concerns.
In addition to group discussions, small groups discussed factors in the community that contribute to its health status, both positively and negatively; history of collaboration to address health outcomes; the key to successful collaboration; and the willingness of attendees to help build trust and address community concerns.
Also facilitating the session were Wes Nall, ACH interim administrator; and Precious Fritz, program specialist; Selena McCord, program manager. Also in attendance were Suzanne McGill, director of nursing; Pattie Walker, HR recruiter and champion supervisor; Debbie Rowell, ECHCA chairman; and Nancy Lowrey, ECHCA treasurer.
Future meetings will be held but have not been announced.