Emergency Care in Pickens County, Alabama
Financial problems caused the Pickens County Medical Center to close in March 2020. This story explores the state of emergency care in Pickens County two years later, along with possible solutions to the problem.
Elements include a written news story, two news videos, two social media videos, an audio story, a Thinglink, a Google Map, and two packages of social media posts.
Written Story
Two Years Later, Pickens County Emergency Care, Residents in Critical Condition
This story explores the state of emergency care in Pickens County, Alabama two years after its only hospital closed. I interviewed a dozen people over the course of two semesters, recounted their stories and addressed possible solutions.
News Video:
When her nearest emergency room is more than 30 miles away
Mary Price has lived in Pickens County, Alabama for all of her 84 years. Pickens County Medical Center was her go-to hospital until it closed in March 2020. Now, she drives to Tuscaloosa, more than 30 miles away from home, to treat atrial fibrillation. She and her granddaughter want to see the hospital reopened.
News Video
Pickens County paramedics continue to answer the call without a nearby hospital
The Pickens County Ambulance Service covers 19,000 people with two vans. Since the Pickens County Medical Center closed in March 2020, local paramedics work harder, longer. They continue to answer calls and serve their community, and hope more funding can bring relief.
Audio Story
Emergency Care in Pickens County
When the Pickens County Medical Center closed in March 2020, it left an entire county without emergency medical care. Now, two years later, people who live there want emergency care back in their county for more reasons than one.
This story blends elements from both news videos into one audio package.
Social Media Video
Pickens County paramedics continue to answer the call without a nearby hospital
This is a version of my original news story about the Pickens County Ambulance Service reformatted for social media platforms. Instead of audio, text drives the visual story.
Social Media Packaging
When her nearest emergency room is more than 30 miles away
This slideshow contains sample graphics that tell this story on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. I produced these on Canva using images I took in the field.
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Click on the image to view in full, and the arrows to advance the graphics.
Social Media Packaging
Pickens County paramedics continue to answer the call without a nearby hospital
This slideshow contains sample graphics that tell this story on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. I produced these on Canva using images I took in the field.
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Click on the image to view in full, and on the arrows to advance the graphics.
Infographics
Pickens County Emergency Care
These two infographics add context to the issue of emergency care in Pickens County in a concise way. Produced on Canva, these can be republished on social media platforms.
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Click on each infographic to view in full.
