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LaFayette now boasts the country’s busiest OnMed station with over 90 health patients in November. The Chambers County Community Health and Wellness Center had another record breaking month for visits.

“We wanted to meet a need,” Snoddy said. “And the fact that it’s being used so much, that just shows you right there that people needed some sort of option for health care that was more convenient, more easily accessible in LaFayette and Chambers County in general.”

The health and wellness center is a partnership between Auburn University’s Rural Health initiative, the Chambers County Commission and the city of LaFayette to bridge the gap of healthcare disparity in the rural county. 

The OnMed station, the “anywhere healthcare” station, is a remote clinic that puts patients in touch with a clinician virtually. 

In October, the station had around 82 health visits. In November, the number increased to 94. Snoddy said many of the major health concerns have been for upper respiratory infections and cardiovascular issues. 

According to OnMed, these are the highest numbers that they have seen at any of their stations nationwide. OnMed currently has five stations active in the U.S., some of which have been open for several years. 

“OnMed calls us their model child, even though we’re the newest station,” said Rachel Snoddy, Chambers County Extension Coordinator. 

These numbers don’t include visits for OnMed demonstrations or educational sessions so the number of visitors is higher. 

Snoddy said the educational session and Auburn University health screenings have also seen a significant increase, especially since the first speech and hearing screening in June. Students and faculty have been hosting screenings and information sessions throughout the fall. 

“Thankfully, they’ve stuck with it and they’ve been coming more and more this fall,” Snoddy said. “They’ve added extra days more than what they originally planned this fall because they have seen an increase in patients who are coming on those days.”

Snoddy said they are also encouraging people to come and submit their information in the system so that if they get sick, it will be a quicker intake process. 

Snoddy said the center will remain open for the coming holidays, except for Christmas Day and New Years Day. There will be reduced hours on Christmas Eve and New Years Eve.