RUSSELL MEDICAL CENTER FOUNDATION PARTNERS WITH AUCON TO INVEST IN CHILDHOOD HEALTH EDUCATION

A recent gift from the Russell Medical Center Foundation to continue a longstanding partnership with Auburn University’s College of Nursing ensures children in Tallapoosa County and adjacent rural communities will continue to receive important health education programming.

The Foundation’s investment of $120,000 over four years will allow AUCON to continue the TigerCHAT program, an academic health partnership that brings health education directly into rural elementary schools. TigerCHAT (Community, Health, Awareness, and Training) helps children and families develop sustainable health behaviors through school-based health education led by Auburn Nursing faculty and students. Session topics include nutrition, physical activity, chronic disease prevention, and mental health skills, like managing emotions and self-esteem.

“This investment ensures continuity, growth, and deeper community engagement – connecting children, families, schools, healthcare providers, and Auburn University students in meaningful ways that advance health outcomes and strengthen the local fabric of Tallapoosa County,” said Dr. Linda Gibson-Young, AUCON Professor and Outreach Coordinator. “We are so grateful for Russell Medical Foundation’s continued partnership and commitment to childhood health education.”

Russell Medical Center Foundation first invested in TigerCHAT eight years ago and since its inception, the program has reached more than 15,000 children across eight elementary schools in East Alabama. The new gift will enable AUCON to expand TigerCHAT into Alexander City, Tallapoosa County, and surrounding areas to further promote healthy behaviors, improve access to healthcare services, and enhance wellbeing for Alabama children.

“We are honored to have such a meaningful and impactful relationship with Auburn’s College of Nursing. Of course, as a healthcare facility, we are concerned with the health of everyone, but the health of children is something that we feel we can really make a difference in,” said Tammy Jackson, executive director of the Russell Medical Foundation. “Through the CHAT partnership with Auburn Nursing, nursing students are teaching elementary students in Alex City and Tallapoosa County how to live healthy lifestyles at a very young age. Those students in turn are teaching their parents. This leads to lifestyle changes and a healthy future for the entire family.”