Team Research

Chronic conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, and stroke remain the leading causes of hospitalization and mortality in Georgia. Additionally, behavioral health issues are the primary reason for hospital discharges among individuals aged 10 to 24. While statewide efforts have begun to reduce the prevalence and incidence of these conditions, rural communities continue to experience disproportionate health burdens and limited access to care. 

Georgia faces a significant healthcare access challenge, with 141 of its 159 counties designated as medically underserved. This shortage of healthcare resources presents a critical barrier to improving population health and achieving equitable outcomes across the state. It also provides an opportunity to develop novel strategies which advance health in resource-constrained settings. 

To address these challenges, our interdisciplinary team will develop and evaluate innovative, community-driven strategies aimed at holistically improving health outcomes in rural Georgia. Through expanded collaboration with Archway Partnership communities, we will conduct needs assessments, map local assets, and co-design interventions that reflect the unique milieus of each population. Our approach will include: 

• Enhanced identification and engagement of individuals with chronic medical and behavioral health conditions, including the development of community-based care models. 

• Culturally responsive communication strategies to deliver accessible, respectful, and empowering health education—designed to build health literacy, promote self-management, and encourage proactive engagement in care. 

• Capacity-building initiatives to strengthen local healthcare infrastructure and improve access to longitudinal care, while supporting the resilience and well-being of the rural healthcare workforce. 

By integrating research, practice, and community partnership, our team seeks to create sustainable, scalable solutions that advance health and healthcare for Georgia’s rural residents. 

Team Lead

Gomez-Di Cesare, Caroline
cmg25285@uga.edu
College: AU/UGA Medical Partnership

Team Members

Young, Henry
hnyoung@uga.edu
College: Pharmacy

Berg, Alison
alisoncberg@uga.edu
College: Family and Consumer Sciences

Cabellero, Joshua
Joshua.Caballero@uga.edu
College: Pharmacy

Parisi, Michelle
michelle.parisi@uga.edu
College: Family and Consumer Sciences

Rawarl, Smita
sr54982@uga.edu
College: Pharmacy

Ingram, Lucy Annang
Lucy.Ingram@uga.edu
College: Public Health

Gibbs, Daniel James
dangibbs@uga.edu
College: Social Work

Weatherly, Christopher Paul
cweatherly@uga.edu
College: Social Work

Cloudy, Joshua
Joshua.Cloudy@uga.edu
College: Grady College of Journalism & Mass Communication

Liggett, Sharon
sliggett@uga.edu
College: Archway Partnership