Georgia Department of Community Health

09/06/2026

Big news for rural health in Georgia!
Georgia announces the first GREAT Health Program subgrantees, awarding more than $12.7 million to support efforts that improve health outcomes, expand access to care, and strengthen rural healthcare systems across the state.
Read more here. https://dch.georgia.gov/announcement/2026-06-08/georgia-awards-first-great-health-program-subgrantees
Georgia Department of Public Health Georgia Statewide AHEC Network Sharecare Side by Side University System of Georgia

Reminder: Join us on June 11 at 3 p.m. for a GREAT Health Program webinar featuring updates on implementation activities, funding opportunities, initial subgrantees, and future engagement opportunities.
Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/udJLb0p6R1yKmhEIyIKa_A #/registration

04/06/2026

Join us via webinar on Thursday, June 11 at 3:00 p.m. to hear an overview and exciting updates of the Georgia Rural Enhancement and Transformation of Health (GREAT) Health Program. Register and submit questions in advance here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/udJLb0p6R1yKmhEIyIKa_A #/registration

We will cover topics including:
🔵 The federal Rural Health Transformation (RHT) Program
🔵 Georgia’s GREAT Health Program initiatives and implementation activities
🔵 Current and upcoming funding opportunities
🔵 Initial GREAT Health Program subgrantees
🔵 Future engagement opportunities for providers, community organizations, workforce and education partners, and other interested parties

The GREAT Health Program is Georgia’s Rural Health Transformation Program led by DCH to support long-term rural healthcare transformation efforts across the state.

The GREAT Health Program is supported by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of the Rural Health Transformation Program, a financial assistance award totaling $218,862,169.63 with 100% funded by CMS/HHS. The contents are those of DCH and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement by, CMS/HHS, or the U.S. Government.

26/05/2026

The State Health Benefit Plan recently hosted a biometric screening and mobile prostate/mammography screening event in Macon. Atrium Health-Navicent and Emory Healthcare were onsite to adminster mobile screenings. Anthem UnitedHealthcare, CVS Caremark, and Sharecare provided women’s and men’s health information to supplement their screenings experience. Over 80 attendees received biometric screenings!

25/05/2026

This Memorial Day, we remember the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. We’re forever grateful for their service and their sacrifice will never be forgotten.

21/05/2026

Thank You, Brian Dowd

28 years of service. A lasting impact on Georgia’s community health programs and the people behind them.

After nearly three decades of public service, Brian Dowd, deputy executive director of Policy, Compliance and Operations for the Medical Assistance Plans Division, is retiring.

Throughout his career, Brian played a key role in shaping initiatives that expanded access to care and strengthened program effectiveness across the state. His contributions include:
• Supporting the launch of Georgia’s autism therapy program, helping more families access critical services
• Leading policy efforts during COVID-19 to help ensure continuity of care during an unprecedented time
• Advancing program integrity and operational efficiency to support responsible stewardship of public resources
While these accomplishments are significant, Brian’s most enduring legacy is the people.

He built strong, mission-driven teams and invested in developing leaders who will continue this work for years to come.
“Never forget, everything starts with our members.”
That perspective has guided Brian’s work—and continues to shape the mission moving forward.

Thank you, Brian, for your leadership, dedication, and commitment to the people of Georgia. Wishing you all the best in your next chapter.

👉 Please join us in recognizing Brian’s 28 years of service.

20/05/2026

SHBP members, join virtually on Thursday, May 21, 2026 from 1- 3:30 PM for “Nurturing Yourself – A Holistic Approach to Self-Care,” an interactive 1.5-hour workshop designed to help you recharge, refocus, and build sustainable self-care habits that support your overall well-being. This event is available at no additional cost to you.
Participants will explore the four key dimensions of self-care:
✔️ Physical
✔️ Psychological
✔️ Emotional
✔️ Spiritual
Through mindfulness practices, reflective exercises, and personalized planning, you’ll walk away with practical tools to customize a self-care plan to help strengthen resilience and maintain balance.
Learn more about the virtual workshop and register here: https://reg.learningstream.com/reg/event_page.aspx?ek=0118-0030-7e4edb999c21433aacb67d66c402ed79

20/05/2026

May is Stroke Awareness Month. Know the signs and Act FAST. A quick response can save a life.

🧠 May is Stroke Awareness Month 🧠

A stroke can happen suddenly, but recognizing the warning signs quickly can save a life. At Evans Memorial Hospital, we encourage our community to remember the acronym FAST:

🔹 F – Face drooping
🔹 A – Arm weakness
🔹 S – Speech difficulty
🔹 T – Time to call 911

Every second matters during a stroke. Acting quickly can help reduce long-term damage and improve recovery outcomes.

You can also lower your stroke risk by:
✔ Managing blood pressure
✔ Staying active
✔ Eating a healthy diet
✔ Avoiding to***co use
✔ Keeping regular checkups

This Stroke Awareness Month, take a moment to learn the signs and share this information with someone you love. Awareness can save lives.

Georgia Hospital Association Georgia HEART Hospital Program

15/05/2026

The Georgia Department of Community Health is pleased to announce the release of the first competitive funding opportunity for the GREAT Health Program. The Point-of-Care Telepod strategy opens for application submissions on May 15, 2026. Applications will be accepted until June 15, 2026. Full details on how to apply can be found on DCH’s GREAT Health website at greathealth.georgia.gov.

The GREAT Health Program is supported by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $218,862,169.63 with 100 percent funded by CMS/HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by CMS/HHS, or the U.S. Government.

15/05/2026

Update: Due to a system transition, RFI responses will be accepted until June 16, 2026 at 5:00pm. Responses must be submitted to [email protected]. View addendum: https://ssl.doas.state.ga.us/gpr/eventDetails?eSourceNumber=41900-DCH0000143&sourceSystemType=ps

To strengthen Medicaid fraud, waste and abuse prevention, DCH has released a Request for Information (RFI). This RFI will be open until May 25, 2026. Click below for full details.

Medicaid Fraud, Waste, and Abuse Request for Information (RFI) Released

12/05/2026

Reminder: The first round of competitive applications for the GREAT Health Program goes live May 15, 2026! Join DCH and grants management vendor, RSM, for a webinar on May 13 at 9:00am to learn how to apply for competitive grants in the DCH portal. Healthcare facilities with a focus on transforming rural healthcare in Georgia are encouraged to attend. Register for the webinar here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/x0-i6wWLRvGD_F5iOOhhWQ
All live and upcoming grant opportunities for Year 1 funding will be made available at greathealth.georgia.gov.