Mission Moment: Partnership and Progress in Grady County Schools

Date: 05/28/25

Access to healthcare should not be a barrier to success. That belief drives Peach State Health Plan’s commitment to ensure every child, especially those in underserved communities, is connected to essential care that supports their health and education.

In a recent episode of Classroom Conversation, part of Georgia Public Broadcasting’s Health Barriers to Learning series, host Ashley Mengwasser highlights a remarkable story of innovation and impact in rural Southwest Georgia. The feature showcases how Grady County Schools, in collaboration with Phoebe Putney Health System, is removing healthcare barriers through a community-driven approach.

Under the leadership of Dr. Katina Cooper, Director of Social Services for Grady County Schools, this partnership has brought vital primary care services directly to students. Dr. Cooper, a social worker by training and an advocate for student well-being, turned a simple idea into a groundbreaking initiative: providing health screenings, vaccinations, and behavioral health support right where students are learning.

Thanks to collaboration between Peach State Health Plan identifying members to close care gaps and Phoebe Putney's mobile health units traveling to these remote areas, students can receive well-care appointments and follow-up care without missing school. This approach eliminates transportation challenges, reduces time away from class, and helps parents avoid missing work, creating a more supportive environment.

Through this partnership, we are transforming how rural communities access healthcare, offering a model that prioritizes convenience, equity, and continuity of care.

To learn more about how Peach State Health Plan is helping remove barriers to primary healthcare through local partnership, listen here.

Thank you to Georgia Public Broadcasting’s Ashley Mengwasser and Tori Thompson, Phoebe Putney Hospital System, Dr. Katina Cooper and the dedicated staff of Grady County Schools for their work in supporting their students and our members.