Two Central Georgia Rural Hospitals Awarded Grants for Tech Upgrades

Funds will improve infrastructure, clinical equipment, and patient care delivery in underserved areas.

Apr. 1, 2026 at 8:38pm

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The Georgia Department of Agriculture's Rural Center has awarded grants totaling $400,000 to three medical facilities in rural parts of the state, including Dodge County Hospital and Dorminy Medical Center in Central Georgia. The funds will be used to upgrade technology infrastructure, clinical equipment, and medication scanning systems to enhance patient care and operational efficiency.

Why it matters

Access to quality healthcare is a persistent challenge for many rural communities in Georgia. These grants aim to strengthen the technological capabilities of small, community-based hospitals, which are essential for providing essential medical services and supporting the overall health and economic well-being of rural residents.

The details

Dodge County Hospital will use its grant to upgrade its Wi-Fi network and purchase new clinical equipment to improve efficiency and patient care delivery. Dorminy Medical Center in Ben Hill County received $126,000 to acquire new ultrasound machines to enhance prenatal care for local families. Evans Memorial Hospital in Evans County was awarded $125,000 to upgrade barcode medication scanning in its emergency department.

  • The grants were announced by the Georgia Department of Agriculture on April 1, 2026.

The players

Georgia's Rural Center

A branch of the Georgia Department of Agriculture that focuses on improving healthcare access and economic development in rural parts of the state.

Dodge County Hospital

A medical facility in Eastman, Georgia that will use its grant to upgrade technology infrastructure and clinical equipment.

Dorminy Medical Center

A hospital in Ben Hill County, Georgia that received funding for new ultrasound machines to support prenatal care.

Evans Memorial Hospital

A hospital in Evans County, Georgia that will use its grant to upgrade barcode medication scanning in its emergency department.

Tyler J. Harper

The Georgia Agriculture Commissioner, who stated that the Rural Center's investments support the long-term success of the state's top industry.

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What they’re saying

“The center supports the long-term success of the state's No. 1 industry.”

— Tyler J. Harper, Georgia Agriculture Commissioner

What’s next

The Rural Center plans to continue investing in rural healthcare infrastructure and technology across Georgia to improve access and quality of care for underserved communities.

The takeaway

These grants demonstrate the state's commitment to strengthening the technological capabilities of small, community-based hospitals in rural areas, which are essential for providing quality healthcare and supporting the overall well-being of Georgia's rural residents.