CANTON – Gov. Phil Bryant welcomed the state’s first and only private telehealth company to Madison County at a ribbon cutting on Tuesday.
TelehealthONE, a leader in the national field of telemedicine, uses technology to provide long distance healthcare.
The company opened its doors at the Madison County Economic Development Authority’s Mississippi Biomedical Business Collaboratory in Canton earlier this year and has since created a number of statewide partnerships.
MCEDA Executive Director Tim Coursey said TelehealthONE quickly became a critical partner for his organization.
“Since day one, TelehealthONE has been with us,” Coursey said. “They were the first company to open up in this facility. We did their buildup rather quickly, so they could get rolling fast. They’ve been building that groundwork ever since.”
TelehealthONE currently offers five telemedicine products. These allow employers to provide on-site primary care, help nursing homes access licensed practitioners via the internet, assist patients with post-acute recovery, provide therapy, supply psychological services, and offer quick walk-in access to practitioners at local pharmacies.
“Nearly two years ago, the city of Canton embraced our governor’s vision of using healthcare as an economic driver,” said Canton Mayor Arnel Bolden. “Subsequently, we became one of only 12 Healthcare Industry Zones in the state. Now, we are home to the state’s only Biomedical Collaboratory.”
According to Bryant, the county has already begun to see the results of a successful healthcare industry.
“Yesterday at lunch, I was meeting with the directors of the Baptist Hospital, the University Medical Center, and St. Dominic’s Hospital,” he said. “They were talking about continuing to grow the capitol city in the healthcare corridor, and I reminded them that they may need to work harder as Madison and Canton are beginning to lead the way.”
The governor explained that Mississippi is currently one of only seven states with an “A” rating in telehealth, due in large part to TelehealthONE. The company projects the creation of over 40 jobs throughout the year with products that will deliver care to rural health facilities, patients in their homes, and businesses around the state.
“This is a day of firsts for Canton, Madison County, and Mississippi,” Dr. David Powe, CEO of TelehealthONE, said at the event. “Today, TelehealthONE is a first as the first homegrown, private telehealth company in the state of Mississippi.”
A few weeks ago, TelehealthONE put in an extended care facility at Countrybrook Living Center in Brookhaven. “That same day, we had another first and that was to open a walk-in clinic at the first private pharmacy in the state of Mississippi,” said Dr. Powe.
Mosby’s Drug Store, first founded in Canton in 1843, recently became a pioneer in walk-in video healthcare for minor medical needs.
“To our knowledge, this walk-in clinic may be the first in the United States for telehealth to be provided for local citizens,” Dr. Powe said.
Bryant believes that telehealth will become the “shining star” of the state’s healthcare industry.
“We’re now in the process of expanding into the Mississippi Delta,” said Bryant, noting that families like his own in Sunflower County could soon see qualified healthcare providers without having to travel.
“We might be out in the rural areas with that provider, but somewhere on the other end will be one of the best physicians available,” Bryant said.
