MedLink Georgia provides medical care to people who lack access to services due to cost, transportation or a lack of providers through its network of community health centers. Primary care centers are located in Banks, Barrow, Franklin, Hall, Madison and Oglethorpe counties.

“We offer top-quality care, whether or not you have insurance,” said Angela Rouse, director of public policy and community services for MedLink Georgia. “My grandmother was a patient here in Madison County, and I had no idea that they had a sliding fee scale. She didn’t need the financial assistance; she was a patient because she had a good doctor and great medical care. I had no idea we offered all of these services until I came to work here.”

The Jackson EMC Foundation granted $15,000 to MedLink Georgia in January for required upgrades to its practice management and electronic health records system. These funds will be used to pay for part of the costs to transition to a fully integrated electronic health record system for its centers.

“This upgrade will give patients access to their medical records through the patient portal,” Rouse said. “By the first of June, patients should be able to schedule appointments and receive medical reports and summaries.”

The electronic health record system will combine records from multiple doctors; everything from immunizations and flu shots to lab results and x-rays. MedLink Georgia is in the process of becoming a patient-centered medical home, a national recognition that the community health centers meet quality guidelines, which includes involving the patient in their care.