GREAT STATE RURAL CLINICS

In 65 of Alabama’s 67 counties, there is a shortage of doctors. Alabama ranks 40th in the country in the number of physicians per capita. It is no wonder then that we see rising rates of preventable and manageable disease, especially among rural, low-income counties. The majority of Alabama is rural, yet rural physicians make up less than 10-percent of the physician workforce.

Access to healthcare in rural Alabama is a recognized issue in our state. An even greater issue in our state is the lack of access to quality healthcare in specialty fields like Dermatology.

Great State Alabama recognizes this disparity among regions of the state as it relates to access to specialized medicine. Where some rural and underserved regions may have at least limited access to family medicine, specialists serving these regions are rare. This results in patients ignoring pressing medical issues such as advancing skin cancers and systemic signs of skin disease.

Distance to dermatology clinics, transportation costs and appointment availability are among the largest barriers to serving these patients. Because of these obstacles, thousands of Alabamians struggle with adequate access to clinical dermatology services.

Over half of Dermatologists surveyed by the Journal of the American Medical Association Dermatology believe that the supply of Dermatologists in their community was less than required. More importantly to our project, according to the journal, the geographic density of dermatologists per 100,000 people indicates eight areas of Alabama have zero access to nearby dermatologists, more geographic gaps than any neighboring southeastern state.

To help provide dermatology clinics in underserved areas, Great State 2019 Inc, a 501(c)3 public charity, conducts Great State Rural Clinics through a series of single day events, providing a range of Free examinations, diagnoses and treatments. Donations received will support the mission of bringing improved healthcare services to rural parts of Alabama.

Clinics may be specifically targeted at recognizing and diagnosing potential skin cancers or they may be general dermatology clinics by a Board Certified Dermatologist, depending on the need of the area.

As Great State grows in capacity, we hope to also provide free clinics in other specialties as well as family medicine with the cooperation of local partners and physicians.

Clinic Dates and Locations

Volunteer or Host a Clinic

GREAT STATE RURAL CLINICS

In 65 of Alabama’s 67 counties, there is a shortage of doctors. Alabama ranks 40th in the country in the number of physicians per capita. It is no wonder then that we see rising rates of preventable and manageable disease, especially among rural, low-income counties. The majority of Alabama is rural, yet rural physicians make up less than 10-percent of the physician workforce.

Access to healthcare in rural Alabama is a recognized issue in our state. An even greater issue in our state is the lack of access to quality healthcare in specialty fields like Dermatology.

Great State 2019 recognizes this disparity among regions of the state as it relates to access to specialized medicine. Where some rural and underserved regions may have at least limited access to family medicine, specialists serving these regions are rare. This results in patients ignoring pressing medical issues such as advancing skin cancers and systemic signs of skin disease.

Distance to dermatology clinics, transportation costs and appointment availability are among the largest barriers to serving these patients. Because of these obstacles, thousands of Alabamians struggle with adequate access to clinical dermatology services.

Over half of Dermatologists surveyed by the Journal of the American Medical Association Dermatology believe that the supply of Dermatologists in their community was less than required. More importantly to our project, according to the journal, the geographic density of dermatologists per 100,000 people indicates eight areas of Alabama have zero access to nearby dermatologists, more geographic gaps than any neighboring southeastern state.

To help provide dermatology clinics in underserved areas, Great State 2019 Inc, a 501(c)3 public charity, conducts Great State Rural Clinics through a series of single day events, providing a range of Free examinations, diagnoses and treatments. Donations received will support the mission of bringing improved healthcare services to rural parts of Alabama.

Clinics may be specifically targeted at recognizing and diagnosing potential skin cancers or they may be general dermatology clinics by a Board Certified Dermatologist, depending on the need of the area.

As Great State grows in capacity, we hope to also provide free clinics in other specialties as well as family medicine with the cooperation of local partners and physicians.

Clinic Dates and Locations

Volunteer or Host a Clinic

SUPPORT FOR SCHOLARSHIPS FOR FOSTER CHILDREN

Alabama’s Foster Hope Scholarship established in 2016, offers children currently or formerly in Alabama’s Foster Care program the opportunity to receive a college education. The Fostering Hope Scholarship Act was passed by the Alabama Legislature and signed into law in 2015. The scholarship provides eligible participants the option of receiving tuition and required fees at any public two-year or four-year institution of higher education in the state of Alabama, or payment for required fees for state-provided job training courses or skill certification. Great State Alabama supports this program and will advocate for its continuation and increased funding.

As Great State Alabama grows in capacity, we foresee the ability to establish, endow and administer scholarships for qualifying applicants in the foster care system.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM

Underfunded courts, overcrowded prisons and limited rehabilitation services for offenders are all major contributors to a failing criminal justice system. Great State Alabama recognizes the need to reduce the capacity of Alabama's overcrowded prisons, which are at about 190 percent of what they were designed for. Rehabilitation services for offenders within the criminal justice system as well as sentencing reforms for non-violent offenders are essential to reducing a prison population and reducing recidivism. Great State Alabama advocates for comprehensive criminal justice reforms that will both reduce Alabama’s prison population and provide rehabilitation and job skills for offenders. Great State Alabama recognizes these reforms and measures must be applied equally to all incarcerated individuals in Alabama’s Correctional facilities, including Alabama’s only women’s correctional facility.

SUPPORT FOR ACCESS TO PRE-K EDUCATION

The state of Alabama’s First Class Voluntary Pre-K program is a shining star of success in Alabama. First Class Pre-K is consistently ranked among the best in the nation and serves as a model for other states. Statistics show children who attend Pre-K are more likely to read at grade level quicker, their math scores are higher and they are less likely to need special education services. Great State Alabama recognizes the impact quality Pre-K programs have on children in rural and economically suppressed areas of the state. We will work to promote greater access to educational opportunities for preschool and school aged children through providing needed financial support to help classrooms meet the First Class Pre-K standards.