Last week, Children’s international Medical Group CEO, Dr. Eduardo Hernandez, announced that CIMG will introduce a new division of rural health, effective June 1 according to the CIMG press release.

“There is a tremendous lack of pediatric primary care in many rural areas and I am committed to investing my time and capital to bring pediatric health services, new jobs and much needed economic development to these markets,” said Dr. Hernandez in the press release.

To oversee operations of this new division, Dr. Hernandez promoted Picayune resident Zach Allen to Divisional Senior Vice-President. He previously served as the Senior Vice President of Strategy on CIMG’s executive team for eight years. Allen has also been elected as the president-elect of the Louisiana Rural Health Association and serves as the Secretary of the Mississippi Rural Health Association’s Board of Directors. Allen was awarded his MRHF credential this past May.

“I’m happy and humble that Dr. Hernandez trusts me to lead this huge endeavor. I am ready and excited to take on the challenge. It is always fun to grow,” said Allen.

Mississippi Clinics, like the Picayune Clinic, will be a part of the Rural Health Division, according to the CIMG press release.

Allen said they hope to announce the next clinic in the upcoming weeks, to be located in central Mississippi.

“Thirty-four counties in Mississippi are without pediatricians. There is a lot of need for this care. It is proven that the more primary care you have, the less taxpayers have to pay in the long run. If you can catch an illness early, it could help you avoid the costs of going to the hospital,” said Allen.

The goal of the new division is to grow numerous health clinics in several states, Allen said.

“Instead of having all your eggs in one basket, we have them spread out so if laws change in one state, it won’t effect the business as a whole, making it easier for us to provide for the communities in need,” said Allen.

“The rural health clinics we develop will bring in around $2 to $2.5 million [to the communities]. Of course, it varies greatly depending on the size of the rural health clinic. One the size of CIMG though would fall within this range, possibly higher when you factor indirect benefits of the local schools and after school programs that benefit from services rendered,” said Executive Director of Mississippi Rural Health Association Ryan Kelly.

Allen said his favorite part of this project is finding new clinics and recruiting providers.

“We don’t want to take from the community, we want to give, and we are doing that through this new rural health division,” said Allen.