Lakeland Community Hospital receives new investments to support rural health care access
HALEYVILLE, Ala. (WBRC) – Leaders gathered Thursday to recognize new investments aimed at strengthening Lakeland Community Hospital, the only hospital in Winston County.
U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt and Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Administrator Thomas J. Engels joined Lakeland, community and Huntsville Hospital Health System (HH Health) leaders for a Rural Healthcare Champions Recognition Event, which highlighted initiatives supporting rural hospitals and the people they serve.
Lakeland allows Winston County residents to access emergency care, testing, treatment and other essential services without leaving their community.
Lakeland also recently received $490,800 through the Alabama Rural Health Transformation Program to implement telehealth technology and establish a non-emergency transportation program for rural patients.
Thursday’s event also recognized the Rural Hospital Provider Assistance Program, a new federal initiative administered through HRSA’s Federal Office of Rural Health Policy, designed to help eligible rural hospitals maintain healthcare providers and essential services.
“Having played an active role in advancing this program in my position as Chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies, I am excited to join Administrator Engels in announcing these awards and seeing these resources reach the rural hospitals, who need them most,” said Aderholt. “It’s of course extra special to be making this announcement in my hometown of Haleyville and at my hometown hospital, Lakeland.”
“President Trump and his Administration have made strengthening rural healthcare a priority, and I’m proud to have worked with them to advance this important effort. Rural hospitals are essential to the health and well-being of our communities, and I look forward to seeing this investment help ensure Alabamians and rural citizens across the country can continue to receive quality healthcare close to home,” Aderholt continued.
HH Health said that for Lakeland Hospital, the investments provided additional support to allow them to continue meeting the needs of Winston County.
“We are incredibly grateful for this investment in Lakeland and, more importantly, in the people and communities we serve,” said Cherie E. Sibley, president and CEO of Lakeland Community Hospital. “We are grateful to Congressman Aderholt, Administrator Engels and all of the leaders who understand what a hometown hospital means to a rural community. These investments give us new tools to reach patients while supporting the essential care our neighbors rely on every day.”
“Lakeland is not only essential to the health of our community, it is also an important part of Winston County’s economy,” said Roger Hayes, chairman of the Health Care Authority of Haleyville and Winston County. “The hospital provides jobs, supports local families, and contributes to the strength and stability of our community. That is why continued investment in Lakeland matters far beyond the hospital walls.”
Lakeland remains a locally owned 25-bed critical access hospital despite the agreement with HH Health.
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