As noted elsewhere, our collaborative service-learning project with south Georgia partners, the South Georgia Farmworker Health Project, has become an important component of our Program. Typically 35-40 senior PA students work with faculty and physicians, providing free care to 1200-1600 farmworkers and family members in south Georgia over twelve days of makeshift clinics in June. In 2003, the Program was recognized as a finalist for the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Partnership Award for Campus-Community Collaboration. In 2010 the  American Academy of Physician Assistants and the PA Foundation, awarded the project the  Host City Prevention Campaign in conjunction with the 2010 AAPA Conference in Atlanta. See the 2011 Outstanding Service/Volunteer Program of the Year: South Georgia Farmworker Health Project  See the video:  2011 Farmworker project highlighted in local news

See the article in  PA Professional  about the project. Our efforts in south Georgia would not have been possible without the assistance of many partners. We greatly appreciate the organizations, individuals, and companies that have joined us in providing care to this underserved population. Please take a moment to view the list of some of our partners.

The South Georgia Farmworker Health Project was developed in 1996 in collaboration with the Southwest Georgia Area Health Education Center (SOWEGA AHEC) in Albany, Georgia, and in collaboration with the Georgia Farmworker Health Program, State Office of Primary Care. The initial projects were in Echols  and Lowndes counties. In June 1998, the Project was expanded to include a week in Decatur county. The Decatur County Health Board of Health / GA Migrant Health Program has been a key partner in that Project.

Working under the direction of physicians from the Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, Emory School of Medicine, and PA faculty from the Emory PA Program, students and faculty provide free health care to farmworkers and their dependents in far south Georgia during a peak period of the summer agricultural season. Community volunteers participate as interpreters, as health care providers, and provide logistic support and supplies for the Project.  Read a student reflection of the experience.

The Project has grown under the leadership of founder Tom Himelick, PA-C, MMSc from its initial one week outreach, providing care to approximately 150 farmworkers, to a two week outreach providing free care to 1200-1700 farmworkers and family members. The Project has helped document the need for these services in South Georgia, and has thus contributed to the expansion of on-going services for Farmworkers in Echols and Decatur counties. The program is now under the leadership of Jeri Sumitani, PA-C, MMSc Director of Community Projects

The Emory PA Program was honored to be one of three finalists for the 2003 Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Partnership Award for Campus-Community Collaboration. We celebrate our collaboration with the Decatur County Health Department and other community partners in the South Georgia Farmworker Health Project (Decatur County). Georgia State University produced a very nice video presentation about the Project.

The Project seeks to not only provide care to a medically underserved and economically important population in Georgia, but to also increase the awareness and competency of health care providers and students in working with this population. It is clear that many Americans do not see how their fruits and vegetables reach their stores and tables. The Project gives all those involved a better understanding of this process, and appreciation for all those involved.

Medications, vitamins, clothing and other items (i.e., sunglasses, caps, toothbrushes, toothpaste) have been graciously donated by corporate partners in the past. This is an ongoing need for the Project.  For more information on items needed or to offer a donation, please contact us here.

New - Farmworker Project T-Shirts - Keep Cool and support the cause!

A number of companies and other organizations have supported the Project. Please view our partners page.