New telehealth station launching in Milam County

The following was published by KBTX-TV on July 7, 2020

CAMERON, Texas (KBTX) - New healthcare is launching in Milam County to give easier access for rural residents. The Texas A&M Health Science Center has partnered with a Tampa-based company to provide healthcare in a virtual setting. They hope to bring changes to the shortage of healthcare options in rural areas and shortage of access to doctors.

Tuesday morning OnMed held a demonstration of their new telemedicine station at the Milam County Sheriff’s Office in Cameron.

”It literally looks like someone standing in a window having a conversation with you so it’s very personable,” said Austin White, OnMed President and CEO.

A new medical pod inside the sheriff’s office lobby will give patients access to licensed clinicians. The six foot by six foot space brings a Certified Nursing Assistant and Nurse Practitioner right into the room in real time. Special equipment can take your vitals and temperature. High tech cameras can help the licensed clinicians make a diagnosis.

OnMed partnered with the Texas A&M Health Science Center for the project.

”Right now just living in a rural community is considered a health risk so we want to assess whether or not improving access to care with an innovation like the health care station by OnMed changes the outcomes,” said Joy Alonzo, a Texas A&M Health Science Center Clinical Assistant Professor.

“Milam County is actually a great test bed for the Texas A&M, OnMed healthcare station,” said Alonzo.

”This is a wonderful opportunity for a county who’s lost both hospitals, has no urgent care. We need this,” said Steve Young, Milam County Judge. Both of Milam County’s hospitals closed in 2018.

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