BIRMINGHAM -- At 8:00 A.M. on Friday, September 9^th, a coalition of healthcare CEOs and leaders representing the state’s major health care providers will board a bus in Birmingham and travel to Alabama’s Black Belt region to see and experience first hand the challenging healthcare conditions that exist in the region.  The goal: to develop new and innovative ways to provide needed services and care in the Black Belt region. 

“By now we are all aware of the tremendous needs that exist in all areas of life in Alabama's Black Belt," said Alabama Congressman Artur Davis who will lead the daylong trip.  "The fact that these corporate healthcare officers are willing to view the healthcare needs in the region for themselves is encouraging as we look to address deficiencies in a substantive way."  

The group will visit medical facilities and clinics in Hale, Marengo and Perry Counties and meet with doctors, staff and community members.  The tour will include CEOs and leaders representing seven of the largest hospitals and healthcare providers in Alabama including Baptist Health System, Brookwood Medical Center, Children’s Hospital, DCH Health System, HealthSouth, St. Vincent’s Hospital and UAB Health System. 

The lack of healthcare facing Alabama’s Black Belt is one of the most dire and difficult challenges anywhere in the country.  While Birmingham and other Alabama communities have some of the best healthcare providers in the nation, with world-renowned experts in a wide range of specialties, the Black Belt suffers for basic physician services and medical supplies.  Several counties do not have a hospital and others are much worse off with no health care practitioners at all.  Life expectancy in the Black Belt is well below the national average.

The IOM Black Belt CEO Tour group will depart Birmingham Friday at 8:00 a.m. from Brookwood Mall’s McCormick and Schmick’s restaurant with visits scheduled to the following locations:

Greensboro, AL (Hale County)

Hale County Hospital

508 Greene Street

Greensboro, Alabama

The first stop is scheduled at Hale County Hospital for a tour of the facilities and a conversation with healthcare professionals and members of the community about the challenges of receiving comprehensive healthcare in the region.

Uniontown, AL (Perry County)  

A.M. Hayden Health Center

330 Old Hamburg Road

Perry County does not have a hospital and has no immediate access to emergency medical care.  The tour will visit a medical clinic and also speak with members of the community about how the lack of medical treatment is affecting similarly underserved communities in the region.

Demopolis, AL (Marengo County)

Bryan-Whitfield Hospital

105 Highway 80 East

Community Care Network Mobile Clinic

Christian Chapel Baptist Church

500 Decatur Street

Marengo County and the City of Demopolis are often called the shining stars of the Black Belt because of the amount of development happening and the progressive nature of the community.  In Demopolis, the tour will examine Bryan-Whitfield Hospital and the secret to their success.  The group will also visit with Dr. Leon Davis of the Community Care Network about the innovative work being done by his mobile medical unit and a team of physicians at a women’s clinic event. 

During travel from one county to the next, presentations will be made on specific challenges unique to the Black Belt associated with chronic ailments and other developing issues.