Growing up in Grove Hill, Alabama, I quickly came to understand the importance of local doctors and other health care providers and the impact they made on my life and all those who live in rural settings.
But, the health of rural hospitals is in grave danger. Communities like mine will suffer as a result.
My grandmother had breast cancer and ultimately passed away at Grove Hill Memorial hospital. Some folks believe small town hospitals don’t provide the same care you get in a larger city facility, but my grandmother received the best care I could possibly imagine. She passed easily and gracefully, surrounded by people who were taking care of her every need.
Grove Hill Memorial has struggled in recent months and no longer offers labor and maternity services. Just 18 minutes down the road in Clarke County, Thomasville Hospital recently closed its doors for all services, possibly forever. I now live in Atmore, where our local hospital recently terminated its surgery services…