An AdventHealth Georgia leader has been appointed to a statewide council that will help guide efforts to improve healthcare access in rural communities — including Chattooga County and other parts of Northwest Georgia.

Scotty Hancock, executive director of community advocacy for AdventHealth’s Georgia Market, has been selected to serve on the Georgia Department of Community Health’s GREAT Health Advisory Council.

The 20-member council is part of Georgia’s GREAT Health Program — Georgia Rural Enhancement and Transformation of Health — a five-year effort aimed at strengthening rural healthcare systems, expanding access to care and improving health outcomes.

The program has significant funding behind it. Georgia received federal approval for approximately $218.9 million for the first year, and the Department of Community Health announced last month that all Year 1 awards had been committed. Those investments support rural hospitals, healthcare workforce development, technology-enabled care and other efforts intended to improve healthcare delivery in rural Georgia.

There is a direct local connection. Chattooga County is specifically included in Region 3 of the GREAT Health Advisory Council, along with neighboring Floyd, Gordon, Walker and Dade counties and other communities across North Georgia.

Council members are responsible for providing feedback on GREAT Health strategies and milestones, offering expertise on rural healthcare issues and reviewing program data and progress. The council held its inaugural meeting August 31.

Hancock said he looks forward to working with other leaders to advance efforts that strengthen healthcare access and outcomes in rural communities throughout Georgia.

AdventHealth operates AdventHealth Redmond in Rome, which serves patients from throughout Northwest Georgia, including Chattooga County.