Lakeland Community Hospital is receiving nearly $500,000 to expand telehealth and establish a non-emergency transportation program for rural patients, investments that will be highlighted Thursday during a visit from U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt (R-Haleyville) and Health Resources and Services Administration Administrator Thomas J. Engels.

The $490,800 comes through the Alabama Rural Health Transformation Program and will be used to implement telehealth technology and establish the transportation program.

The investment is aimed at expanding access to care in Winston County, where Lakeland is the county’s only hospital. The 25-bed critical access hospital serves patients and families in Winston County and across northwest Alabama.

Aderholt, and Engels will visit the hospital Thursday for a Rural Healthcare Champions Recognition Event highlighting investments and initiatives supporting rural health care in Winston County.

They will be joined by Roger Hayes, chairman of the Health Care Authority of Haleyville and Winston County; Cherie E. Sibley, president and CEO of Lakeland Community Hospital; Jeff Samz, president and CEO of Huntsville Hospital Health System; and other community and hospital leaders.

The event will also recognize the Rural Hospital Provider Assistance Program, a federal initiative designed to help eligible rural hospitals maintain providers and essential health care services.

According to the hospital, the investments being recognized are intended to expand access to care while supporting Lakeland’s ability to maintain essential services for rural patients and families. The hospital said programs like these work alongside local support, community leadership and regional partnerships to help sustain rural health care.

Thursday’s program begins at 9 a.m. at Lakeland Community Hospital’s Professional Office Building in Haleyville.

Lakeland provides emergency care, diagnostics, general medical care, rehabilitation and senior care services. The hospital is locally owned by the Health Care Authority of Haleyville and Winston County and is affiliated with Huntsville Hospital Health System through a strategic agreement designed to strengthen local health care access and support Lakeland’s long-term sustainability.

Sherri Blevins is a reporter for 256 Today.

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