New MIH-CP: Local Innovations in Community Paramedicine

Sandy Springs, Lanark County, Marion County, and More Local Innovations in Community Paramedicine!

March 19, 2025

Your go-to source for the latest in mobile-integrated healthcare (MIH) and community paramedicine (CP) is back! We can’t believe it’s been 10 weeks, thanks for reading!

Last week, we took a global tour of MIH-CP programs, exploring initiatives from four different countries. This week, we’re shifting our focus back home, highlighting the latest innovations and progress in domestic programs.

Additionally, we also have a bonus bite on the financial future of mobile integrated healthcare. I’m bias but I’d highly recommend reading it.

We hope you find this issue insightful! If you have any thoughts on the newsletter so far, we’d love to hear from you—simply reply via email and don’t forget to fill out the feedback poll at the end of this post. Your input helps us improve and continue delivering the most relevant MIH-CP news.

So, sit back, relax, and get ready to be informed and inspired. 😊

Content Overview:

  1. Trivia

  2. Sandy Springs Launches Community Paramedicine Program

  3. The Weekly Bonus Bite

  4. Marion County’s Community Paramedicine Grant

  5. Lanark County’s Defibrillator Initiative

  6. So What?

Total: 8 minutes

Who's Logo is This?

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New Program!

Sandy Springs launches Community Paramedicine Program to provide non-acute care services to residents, reducing strain on emergency rooms. The program, led by Paul Long, aims to improve access to healthcare and lower healthcare costs by addressing health concerns before they escalate.

Integrated with telehealth program RightSite, the initiative offers consultations for non-acute medical issues. Residents can fill out a form on the city's website to utilize the program. This innovative approach reflects a shift towards preventive care and community-based healthcare services.

The Weekly Bonus Bite

Healthcare leaders discuss the financial impact and future sustainability of Mobile Integrated Healthcare programs amidst evolving reimbursement challenges and policy changes.

Financial Grant

Marion County Fire Rescue’s Community Paramedicine Program has received a major boost with a $100,000 grant from AdventHealth Ocala, in partnership with the Community Foundation for Ocala/Marion County. The funding will support ongoing efforts to improve residents’ health while reducing unnecessary 911 calls and emergency room visits.

The program focuses on providing targeted healthcare services, including home visits from trained paramedics, chronic disease management, and follow-up care after hospital discharge. By addressing non-emergency medical needs before they escalate, the initiative helps ease the burden on local healthcare facilities and reduces overall healthcare costs.

With this grant, Marion County continues to prioritize proactive and accessible healthcare. The collaboration between MCFR, AdventHealth Ocala, and the Community Foundation ensures that residents receive essential medical support, reinforcing the county’s commitment to a healthier, more efficient healthcare system.

Have any other MIH-CP programs recently received grants? If so, what was the approximate amount?

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Accessibility

Lanark County's Commander of Community Paramedicine, Janice Steele, reveals that there are approximately 200 accessible defibrillators in public buildings. The paramedicine program took over the initiative last year, emphasizing the importance of having this life-saving technology readily available.

Steele reassures the public that operating a defibrillator is simple and that the machine is designed to know when to administer a shock. The goal is to have defibrillators in as many buildings as possible to be prepared for any sudden cardiac events. Listen to the full interview with Steele to learn more about the program and the importance of defibrillators.

Janice goes in depth about Lanark’s community paramedicine in the eight minute interview located at the end of the article.

So What?

Sandy Springs Launches Community Paramedicine Program

  • ​The Sandy Springs Fire Department in Georgia has launched a Community Paramedicine Program to provide non-emergency healthcare services, including chronic disease management, wellness checks, medication management, and health screenings.

  • This initiative aims to address health concerns before they escalate, thereby reducing emergency room visits and healthcare costs.

  • The program is led by Paul Long, a board-certified Community Paramedic with over 25 years of experience in the Atlanta area. It will integrate with the city's existing telehealth program, RightSite, to further alleviate the strain on emergency departments.

Marion County’s Community Paramedicine Grant

  • The $100,000 grant will enable the program to expand its services and reach more individuals in need.​ This information is particularly relevant to:​

  • Local residents who may benefit from enhanced in-home healthcare services, especially those with chronic conditions or limited access to traditional medical facilities.​

  • Healthcare professionals and organizations interested in the development and funding of community-based healthcare initiatives aimed at improving patient care and reducing hospital readmissions.​

Lanark County Boasts 200 Accessible Defibrillators

  • Lanark County Paramedic Service manages 200+ public defibrillators, ensuring easy access for emergencies.

  • Commander Janice Steele highlights their user-friendly design while reducing the stigma that they are dangerous tools encouraging public confidence in using them during life-threatening situations.