The second phase of the GREAT Health program funds rural hospital stabilization, workforce training, and telehealth technology.
The Georgia Department of Community Health has awarded $30.6 million to 26 organizations through Phase 2 of the Georgia Rural Enhancement and Transformation of Health program. This announcement brings the total funds committed to the program to $43.3 million.
The awards support projects across four initiatives, including rural hospital stabilization, healthcare workforce development, school-based health infrastructure, and healthcare innovation. The program is a federal-state partnership intended to improve healthcare access, quality, and outcomes in rural communities.
“These investments represent another important step in Georgia’s effort to transform rural healthcare,” says Stuart Portman, executive director of the medical assistance division at the Georgia Department of Community Health, in a release. “Through GREAT Health, we are supporting rural hospitals, expanding access to care, strengthening the healthcare workforce, and investing in innovative solutions that help rural communities thrive.”
Healthcare Workforce and Training
The largest portion of the Phase 2 funding, totaling $12.5 million, is dedicated to growing the healthcare workforce in rural areas. Awardees include the Georgia Board of Health Care Workforce, the University System of Georgia, and the Alzheimer’s Association.
Projects under this initiative aim to expand graduate medical education opportunities, strengthen nursing education pathways, and support simulation-based clinical training. These efforts are designed to recruit, train, and retain healthcare professionals in rural communities.
Technology and Care Delivery
The state allocated $7 million to support technology-enabled healthcare innovation. Funding will be used for cybersecurity enhancements for rural hospitals and the implementation of an Emergency Medical Services treat-versus-transport model. This model utilizes telehealth and technology to improve care delivery, reduce unnecessary emergency department utilization, and strengthen emergency response capabilities.
Additionally, $6.5 million was awarded to improve healthcare access, including 17 stabilization grants for rural hospitals. Awarded facilities are:
- Appling Healthcare
- Clinch County Hospital Authority
- Colquitt Regional Medical Center
- Crisp Regional Hospital
- Dodge County Hospital
- Donalsonville Hospital, Inc
- Effingham Hospital, Inc
- Elbert Memorial Hospital
- Hospital Authority of Jefferson County and the City of Louisville
- Jasper Health Services, Inc
- Liberty Regional Medical Center
- Memorial Hospital and Manor
- Miller County Hospital
- Monroe County Hospital
- Putnam General Hospital
- South Georgia Medical Center, Inc
The Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities also received an award to support the deployment of a mobile dental clinic.
Care Coordination and Infrastructure
The program awarded $4.6 million to improve care coordination and strengthen connections between healthcare, behavioral health, public health, and education partners. Awardees for this initiative include the Georgia Health Information Network, Morehouse School of Medicine, and Georgia State University.
Projects include school-based health infrastructure development and transportation-to-treatment services for individuals experiencing mental health crises.
The Georgia Rural Enhancement and Transformation of Health program is organized around five initiatives and 29 strategies designed to improve long-term sustainability across rural Georgia. The application period for the final phase of the program’s first year closed on July 15, 2026. Eligible applicants for funding include rural hospitals, healthcare providers, and community organizations.
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