Georgia county commissioners recently got a first-hand look at some model community health-care initiatives through a special program coordinated by the Vinson Institute and the Association County Commissioners in Georgia (ACCG). Participating commissioners made site visits to Macon, Tifton, Valdosta, and Unadilla. Speakers included state health-care policy experts, hospital administrators, and community health clinic directors.

Shown here during a visit to the federally qualified community health clinic in Unadilla are, left to right, Tom McMichael, ACCG president and Houston County commissioner; Greg Dent, former commissioner and CEO of Georgia Community Health Works; Kem Kimbrough, ACCG staff member; Amy Loy, health policy specialist in the Office of the Governor; and O.D. Netter, Ben Hill County commissioner and immediate ACCG past president. Discussion focused on the value of collaboratives between providers and social agencies to solve the increasing challenges of health-care in the state.