Rural Hospital Provider Assistance Program - Dorminy Medical Center, a rural hospital located in Fitzgerald, Georgia, requests funding through the Rural Hospital Provider Assistance Program (HRSA-26-105) to support the retention of its sole General Surgeon and Wound Care Specialist. The Rural Hospital Provider Assistance Program provides direct financial assistance to eligible rural hospitals to maintain healthcare providers, preserve essential health services, and prevent avoidable service disruptions and closures. Dorminy Medical Center serves Ben Hill County and surrounding rural communities in South Georgia. Ben Hill County has an estimated population of approximately 17,100 residents, a median household income of $41,758, and an uninsured rate exceeding 14 percent among residents under age 65. The county experiences high rates of chronic disease, including diabetes, obesity, hypertension, and other conditions that contribute to increased demand for both surgical and specialized wound care services. The physician supported through this project performs a critical dual role within the organization by providing comprehensive general surgical services and directing the hospital's wound care program. Services include general surgery consultations and procedures, inpatient surgical management, post-operative care, advanced wound management, diabetic wound treatment, wound debridement, treatment of chronic and non-healing wounds, and limb preservation interventions. As the sole provider of these services at Dorminy Medical Center, the physician is essential to maintaining local access to care for patients throughout the hospital's service area. Due to significant workforce recruitment and retention challenges affecting rural healthcare providers, Dorminy Medical Center recently increased the physician's compensation to remain competitive and ensure continuation of these essential services. The hospital is requesting $148,000 in grant funding to offset a portion of the costs associated with retaining this provider and maintaining uninterrupted access to surgical and wound care services. Project outcomes include retention of the hospital's sole General Surgeon and Wound Care Specialist, continued operation of critical surgical and wound care service lines, reduced patient travel and transfers for specialty care, improved continuity of care for patients with chronic and complex medical conditions, and enhanced stability of the hospital's healthcare delivery system. Funding through the Rural Hospital Provider Assistance Program will help Dorminy Medical Center preserve essential healthcare services, strengthen access to care for rural residents, and support the long-term viability of a critical rural healthcare provider serving a medically vulnerable population.
