PCOM South Georgia led a collaborative rural health initiative at the recent Sunbelt Ag Expo, at Spence Field in Moultrie. The event drew thousands of guests, offering educational talks, health screenings and demonstrations of cutting-edge medical technology.
Visitors engaged with speakers on topics such as mental health, CPR training, and had access to blood pressure and A1C testing. The initiative featured representatives from over 30 nonprofit organizations, underscoring PCOM South Georgia's commitment to rural healthcare. Participating health systems included Archbold in Thomasville, CareConnect Health in Cordele, Southwell in Tifton, and SGMC Health in Valdosta. The Georgia Department of Health also offered flu and COVID vaccinations and showcased its mobile farm worker health unit.
“There were several events and opportunities that distinguished themselves during the event,” said PCOM South Georgia's Dillon Presley, community outreach coordinator, Office of Diversity and Community Relations.
Presley noted the popularity of the “Roots to Wellness” talks led by healthcare professionals, which addressed crucial wellness topics, such as cardiovascular disease, skin cancer, mental health awareness and type 2 diabetes. He also said the inclusion of mental health resources further enriched the Expo experience, aligning with PCOM South Georgia's mission to support community health and innovation.
Marla Golden, DO '88, dean of the Osteopathic Medicine Program at PCOM South Georgia, was pleased with the initiative's success.
“PCOM South Georgia's mission is all about providing services to rural and underserved populations,” she said. “People in the agricultural industry work so hard… We wanted to make [healthcare] available to them.”
The event included booths on Admissions, Diversity and Community Relations, and showcased the Simbulance to demonstrate PCOM's medical technology. Plans are already in motion for an expanded presence at next year's Expo.
In 2019, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM), a premier osteopathic medical school with a storied 125-year history, extended its commitment to the Southeast by establishing PCOM South Georgia. An additional teaching location in Moultrie, Georgia, PCOM South Georgia offers both a full, four-year medical program leading to the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree and a Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences. PCOM is a private, not-for-profit institution that trains professionals in the health and behavioral sciences fields. Joining PCOM Georgia in Suwanee in helping to meet the healthcare needs of the state, PCOM South Georgia focuses on educating physicians for the region. For more information, visit pcom.edu or call 229-668-3110.
Cindy B. Montgomery
Public Relations and Social Media Manager
Email: cindymo@pcom.edu
Office: 229-668-3198 | Cell: 229-873-2003
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