ATLANTA – State Representative Gerald Greene (R-Cuthbert) commends the Mercer University School of Medicine for their commitment to opening a new primary care clinic in Clay County. Located in Fort Gaines, Ga. Mercer Medicine Clay County will begin seeing patients in early November, with a ribbon cutting ceremony set for November 12, 2020 at 10 a.m.
“This new clinic is a testament to the partnership between the Georgia General Assembly and providers, like Mercer University, who deeply care about and are committed to our rural communities,” said Rep. Greene. “I am thankful to the Mercer University School of Medicine for recognizing the need for access to a wide range of health care services here in Clay County and for helping to bring this opportunity to fruition, especially since the outbreak of COVID-19. Access to quality health care is the backbone to securing future prosperity for rural Georgia, and I am excited to see the positive impact that this facility will have on our citizens and our community.”
Mercer Medicine Clay County is housed in the former hospital facility at 101 Hartford Road West. The 4,885 square foot space is fully equipped with waiting room furniture, exam room furniture and equipment, office furniture and all necessary medical equipment. The new clinic is also located next to the local public health department. Dr. A.S. Ghiathi, along with a physician’s assistant and a well-trained staff, will provide primary care services, including annual physicals, DOT physicals, immunizations, X-ray services, EKGs, point-of-care testing and lab work, to the citizens of Clay, Randolph and other surrounding counties. Additional services will also be available in the coming months.
“We are bringing quality primary care services to Clay County and the West Georgia area,” said Dr. Jean Sumner, Dean of Mercer University School of Medicine. “We will be able to bring specialty services and mental health services through telehealth and have installed reliable internet services in the facility. This is a beautiful county with good people, and we sincerely appreciate the support we have received from the community and its leaders. We look forward to working with the people and health professionals in the region.”
During the last several legislative sessions, Rep. Greene, along with other members of the Georgia General Assembly, have worked to secure funding to expand health care opportunities in rural areas of the state. The Fiscal Year 2021 (FY 2021) budget included $100,000 for the primary care clinic in Clay County. This portion of funding works as part of a larger FY 2021 budgetary effort to provide grants and other support services for programs, like the new clinic, that seek to improve health access and outcomes in rural and underserved areas of Georgia. Additionally, the Fiscal Year 2018 budget included $750,000 in OneGeorgia Authority grant funding for the Mercer Medicine Clay County clinic.
Representative Gerald Greene represents the citizens of District 151, which includes Calhoun, Clay, Early, Quitman, Randolph, Stewart, Terrell and Webster counties, as well as portions of Dougherty County. He was elected to the House of Representatives in 1982 and currently serves as Chairman of the State Properties Committee. He also serves on the Appropriations Subcommittee on Public Safety and the Economic Development & Tourism, Public Safety & Homeland Security, Retirement, Special Rules and Rules committees.
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