Atrium Health Navicent Launches Community Virtual Care Program
Atrium Health Navicent is offering a new community-based option for patients who may face barriers getting the health care they need. Beginning next week, the Community Virtual Primary Care program will begin offering care at central Georgia churches on rotating Mondays.
Care, open to everyone aged 5 and older, combines an in-person experience with video-assisted technology. Assessment tools enable a medical provider to check a patient’s ears, nose, throat, heart, lungs and skin using advanced technology.
“Many patients face barriers – transportation, childcare, work and others – that can make it tough, or even impossible to receive the medical care they need. By partnering with area churches, we’re taking steps to bring care closer to home,” said Carol Babcock, assistant vice president of Healthy Communities and Virtual Care.
Common conditions that can be treated through a visit to Community Virtual Primary Care include allergy and sinus issues, colds, flu, fever, pink eye, female urinary tract infections, ear pain, rashes, strep through, upset stomach and diarrhea. Treatment for chronic conditions such as anxiety, depression, hypertension, headache and back pain also is available. Laboratory testing can be completed if needed, and a diagnosis and treatment plan can be created. Prescriptions will be sent to a patient’s local pharmacy. On their designated Monday, the clinics are open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and are closed for a lunch break from noon to 12:30 p.m. To schedule a visit, call 478-633-9081. A time will be scheduled for the Atrium Health Navicent medical assistant to meet you at the clinic location. Walk-ins are welcome.
• First Monday of the month: Center Hill Baptist Church, 1555 Cedar Ave., Macon
• Second Monday of the month: Union Baptist Church, 1137 Kitchens St., Macon
• Third Monday of the month: St. Peter AME Church, 502 State University Drive, Fort Valley
“We are delighted to open our doors to our neighbors and community members, offering them a safe space to get muchneeded medical care. We’re blessed to care for people’s spiritual needs, and thankful we can care for their health as well,” said Union Baptist Church Pastor Dr. David L. Stanley Sr. “Thanks to Atrium Health Navicent for offering this service for our community.”
About Atrium Health Navicent
Atrium Health Navicent is the leading provider of health care in central and south Georgia and is committed to its mission of elevating health and wellbeing through compassionate care. Atrium Health Navicent is part of Advocate Health, which is headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, and is the third-largest nonprofit health system in the United States, created from the combination of Atrium Health and Advocate Aurora Health. Atrium Health Navicent provides high-quality, personalized care in 53 specialties at more than 50 facilities throughout the region. As part of the largest, integrated, nonprofit health system in the Southeast, it is also able to tap into some of the nation’s leading medical experts and specialists with Atrium Health, allowing it to provide the best care close to home – including advanced innovations in virtual medicine and care. Throughout its 125-year history in the community, Atrium Health Navicent has remained dedicated to enhancing health and wellness for individuals throughout the region through nationally recognized quality care, community health initiatives and collaborative partnerships. It is also one of the leading teaching hospitals in the region, helping to ensure viability for rural health care for the next generation. For more information, please visit www.NavicentHealth.org.
About Advocate Health
Advocate Health is the third-largest nonprofit integrated health system in the United States – created from the combination of Advocate Aurora Health and Atrium Health. Providing care under the names Advocate Health Care in Illinois, Atrium Health in the Carolinas, Georgia and Alabama, and Aurora Health Care in Wisconsin, Advocate Health is a national leader in clinical innovation, health outcomes, consumer experience and value-based care, with Wake Forest University School of Medicine serving as the academic core of the enterprise. Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, Advocate Health serves nearly 6 million patients and is engaged in hundreds of clinical trials and research studies. It is nationally recognized for its expertise in cardiology, neurosciences, oncology, pediatrics and rehabilitation, as well as organ transplants, burn treatments and specialized musculoskeletal programs. Advocate Health employs 155,000 team members across 69 hospitals and over 1,000 care locations and offers one of the nation’s largest graduate medical education programs with over 2,000 residents and fellows across more than 200 programs. Committed to equitable care for all, Advocate Health provides nearly $6 billion in annual community benefits.