A New Frontier
Cahaba + UAB Family Medicine Residency - Frontier Track in Alabama’s Black Belt
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” -- Galatians 6:9
Through Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education (THCGME) funding from the Health Resources Services Administration (HRSA), the Cahaba + UAB Family Medicine Residency was awarded funds to plan, develop, and implement the “1+2” Frontier Family Medicine Training Track in the Alabama Black Belt counties of Perry and Wilcox. Our state-of-the-art training initiative primarily aims to enhance access to primary care services in Perry and Wilcox Counties, currently Health Provider Shortage Areas. The program also seeks to establish a conduit for maintaining healthcare providers in these severely underserved regions.
Having meticulously planned for four years, we achieved ACGME accreditation and HRSA funding in 2022 through the Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education Program. Now in its second year, the Frontier Program is able to accept four 2nd-year family medicine residents to begin full-time training in the Black Belt, courtesy of funding approved by Governor Kay Ivey and the Alabama Legislature. This marks a momentous development in the health landscape and rural economic progression of these counties. By 2024, eight physicians will be living and working in Perry and Wilcox, bringing transformative changes and promoting healthier rural communities within Alabama’s Black Belt.
For years our visionary leaders, Dr. John Waits and Dr. Lacy Smith have set out to change the healthcare landscape in rural and underserved Alabama by planting seeds and nurturing them until they produce ripe fruit in the form of primary care physicians in health provider shortage areas (HPSAs). That vision has now begun producing needed healthcare providers that are now serving underserved communities across the State of Alabama and beyond.
The Frontier Program's unique "1+2" structure involves one year of urban-based training at UAB Medical West and Cahaba Medical Care - Bessemer. Residents gain invaluable experience in well-resourced healthcare facilities. The following two years focus on practical experience in the more underserved communities of Marion (Perry County) and Camden (Wilcox County), where local providers are often the primary source of care. To facilitate this, we've strategically established community health centers in these areas, not only helping to shore up those medical communities themselves but also will serve as primary clinical training sites for our residents.
Our physician faculty members for the Frontier Residency Program include Drs. Lauren Linken, Carmen Collins, Casey Hicks, Laura Lishman, Michael Luther, Sumpter Blackmon, Shirin Amlani, and Isaiah Matroni. Since July 1, 2023, four new physicians began serving Perry and Wilcox counties, and an additional four physicians will join them in 2024. Our second-year residents include Drs. Josue Breaux, Joshua Murphy, Ijeoma Okeke, and Michael Wu. First-year residents (who will land in Marion/Camden in 2024) include Drs. Osama Ali, Garrett Jackson, Reese Land, and Souleiman Salameh.
Recognizing that local housing is one of the most well-established rate-limiting steps for recruiting rural health care providers (and trainees), Cahaba Medical Care Foundation has worked tirelessly to locate, renovate, or build homes near the clinics in Marion and Camden for the Family Medicine Residents.
Additionally, to accommodate the increasing number of providers, we are expanding our community health center buildings, adding exam rooms, and expanding access to patients and the community. Cahaba Medical Care - Camden's expansion concluded in August 2023, while the Cahaba Medical Care - Marion clinic's expansion is planned for 2024.
Many have recognized the impact this program has on the communities served in Perry and Wilcox County. Mrs. Frances Ford, Perry County Health Coordinator stated, “We are grateful for the additional doctors in Perry County. This will improve access to healthcare.”
Mr. Dexter Hinton, Mayor of Marion, stated, “It brings me great joy to know that Cahaba Medical Care has a residency program started. This program aids in multiple ways by helping the community, the care provider, and [the] physician. Marion which is located in the Black Belt of Alabama is known for its high number of health disparities. Now there is a flourishing plan to combat those issues by improving the health services of the community.”
Likewise, similar sentiments were also voiced in Camden. Rev. Charles Autery offered his blessings and stated, “This is welcomed news for us here in Wilcox County. For, in the past our medical services have been suffering for many things: Doctor shortages, our choices were limited. There was no place to get a second opinion if we desired one. Communities with good or proper medical care services have an opportunity to interest other businesses to consider that community (or city). We believe the timing is right for your expansion. Welcome to Wilcox!!”
Sulynn Creswell, Black Belt Treasures Cultural Arts Center stated, “The healthcare access provided to our rural community through the Camden Cahaba Medical Care Clinic is so important to our quality of life. My family and I are so grateful for the medical care and the continued investment by CMC to expand healthcare access here in Wilcox County.”
These comments express the desires of our mission and the purpose of why we are committing to providing affordable, quality healthcare in rural, underserved communities.