September 22nd 2023.
Al and Terry Vester have been providing medical care to the residents of Lafayette for over thirty years. As they approach retirement, patients in this small, predominately Black farm town in Alabama are left wondering where to turn for healthcare they can trust. With a population of only 2,700, Lafayette is home to just two primary care doctors, and the nearest urgent care clinics or emergency rooms are over 20 minutes away.
Thankfully, the city’s fire department has stepped in to offer medical assistance. The makeshift exam area includes a bench, a defibrillator machine, and a cabinet full of medical supplies. Although the Vesters are excited about the options available to their patients, they are concerned that their absence will worsen the already present health issues in the area.
“There are people here that still need in-town doctors,” said Terry. She has even made home visits to some of her patients, many of whom she has been caring for since birth. “You know everyone, or you have a connection with someone,” she noted.
Fortunately, the residents of Lafayette have access to a more sophisticated option for telehealth support. The OnMed Care Station is a kiosk equipped with a video screen and medical equipment, allowing patients to collect their vital signs and check their heart and lungs with a stethoscope. The station also contains a camera for capturing images of rashes, sore throats, and other conditions for proper diagnosis.
The Chambers County Community Health and Wellness Center, operated by nearby Auburn University, is the host of the OnMed Care Station. The center also organizes educational events in order to provide Alabama’s rural areas with important medical information. All in all, the Vesters’ patients are lucky to have access to such a wide variety of healthcare resources.
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