Planters EMC helps improve technology at Jenkins hospital

Jenkins County Hospital CEO Pete Mills watches as David Adams demonstrates a heart-monitoring device purchased through a Planters EMC Operation Round Up grant. (Photo contributed)

At Jenkins County Hospital, Pete Mills isn't only the chief executive officer, he's also the pharmacist. He's not alone in doing whatever it takes to keep services available either.

"There are a lot of us that pull double duty," Mills says from his office, covered with paperwork, in Millen's 25-bed medical center.

Such is the case for many ru- ral hospitals, which are struggling in the changing climate of healthcare funding. Jenkins County Hospital depends on grants and other funding sources to continue providing and improving care for local residents.

Recently, the hospital was helped by Planters Electric Membership Corporation (EMC) members through their Operation Round Up program. An Operation Round Up grant for more than $2,600 is helping upgrade the hospital's computer system and network this summer.

"This is something that had to be done. Everything you do in a hospital is on a computer," Mills explains, referencing insurance claims, records and a

host of advancements in medical technology.

Planters EMC members have also provided grants to purchase heart-monitoring devices that allow the hospital to cut diagnosis time from nearly a month to just hours.

"They are state of the art," Mills says, eyeing one of the devices, which are no bigger than MP3 players. "These are more accurate and cut the time needed way down."

Mills says he and his staff are glad to have the support of Planters EMC members and the investments they are making in local healthcare and other community causes.

Planters EMC's Operation Round Up program awards grants every three months to local non-profit organizations. Members of Planters EMC provide the money for the program by rounding their electric bills up to the nearest dollar and giving the difference back to the community.

This quarter, nearly $24,000 in grants was awarded to area organizations, such as the Jenkins County 4-H, Jenkins County Emergency Management Services and North Jenkins County Volunteer Fire Department.

Applications for the next round of grants are now being accepted and must be turned in by Friday, July 11.

For more information, visit www.plantersemc.com or call 478-982-4722.