It’s here! The new school year kicked off this week in Northeast Georgia. Students returned to class Thursday in Athens-Clarke County, Banks, Hart, Jackson, and Madison counties. More schools will open in the coming days.
To help students and families get off to a good start, Mountain Lakes Medical Center in Clayton is hosting a free Back-to-School Health Fair.
This community event, which will feature free school supplies, health checks, and lunch, will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. this Saturday, August 3, at the hospital at 162 Legacy Point.
“We’ve never had anything like this before, so we have no benchmarks. I’m in pins and needles,” says Matt Miles, the medical center’s director of community relations.
Improving children’s health
Offered in collaboration with Kids Alliance for Better Care (KidsABC)—a collaboration between Mercer University and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta—the Back-to-School Health Fair is a first for Mountain Lakes. According to Miles, they are one of only six rural hospitals in Georgia chosen to participate in the KidsABC program this year. The program aims to expand healthcare access and education for children in rural communities.
Matt Miles is no stranger to rural health. He previously worked as the marketing manager at Habersham Medical Center in Demorest. Last fall, he orchestrated a special Santa Claus fly-in to Mountain Lakes aboard an AirLife helicopter.
“The local kids LOVE it!” he says enthusiastically.
Miles hopes Saturday’s health fair will bring a similar dose of feel-good community spirit to those who attend. But it also offers something more.
“The other reason for this event is to celebrate our participation in the Kids Alliance for Better Care (KidsABC). Thanks to KidsABC’s support, we have been able to purchase pediatric-specific medical equipment for our Emergency Department, take part in educational programs, and enhance care for kids right here in Rabun County,” he says.
Migrant families encouraged to attend
Roberto Aquilar works with migrant workers’ children in the Rabun County School System. He intends to help them and their families get to Saturday’s event.
Students from inside and outside of Rabun County are welcome to attend.
Miles says they’re hosting the health fair “in hopes of touching lives,” adding they hope to hold more events like this.
“Our northeast Georgia community needs us in the healthcare industry to unite and support each other and, most importantly, our community.”
