Raleigh, NC – CarolinaLink members, consisting of North Carolina’s seven broadband cooperatives - FOCUS Broadband, Randolph Communications, RiverStreet Networks, Star Communications, SkyLine/SkyBest, Surry Communications and Zirrus - recently presented $50,000 to UNC Children’s Hospital to support rural telehealth programs across the state.
In 2021, CarolinaLink announced a ten-year $500,000 commitment with UNC Children’s Hospital to help promote virtual collaboration between rural pediatrician offices and UNC Children’s specialists. The partnership is currently in its fourth year, with many families in southeastern North Carolina already experiencing its impact.
“Rather than traveling long distances to receive care, many families can now conveniently receive highly specialized and targeted care from specialists at their local office using virtual technology,” said Kim Shepherd, CEO of SkyLine/SkyBest. “We look forward to seeing our efforts continue to be successful.”
The partnership aims to target areas that are a considerable distance from the Research Triangle and to provide these rural pediatrician offices with essential infrastructure able to connect patients with UNC Children’s specialists. Telehealth clinics are currently operational in Raeford, Jacksonville and Whiteville, with UNC Children’s exploring opportunities to partner with existing pediatric offices in western North Carolina.
“Providing access to compassionate, patient-centered healthcare is our top priority,” said Medical Director for the UNC Pediatric Telemedicine Program, Allison Burbank. “Thank you again to our partners at CarolinaLink, we’re excited to see what the future holds and to bring more of these vital resources into western North Carolina in 2024 and beyond.”
For more information about CarolinaLink and their members, visit www.carolinalink.org.