Dr. Jim Hotz’s Impact on Rural Healthcare
Back in his medical school days at Ohio State University, Dr. Jim Hotz recalls being told by an infectious disease specialist that tuberculosis cases were likely a thing of the past. “You probably won’t see another case of tuberculosis in your career,” he remembers the expert saying. Hotz, now 75, reflected on those words later: “I came down to Georgia, and it was everywhere. Last year, I treated 21 people with tuberculosis.”
Hotz founded the Albany Area Primary Health Care, which has been serving southwest Georgia for nearly five decades. His career is featured in a short documentary titled “Doc Albany,” directed by Oscar winner Ben Proudfoot, which premiered recently at the Tribeca Film Festival.
“Dr. Hotz has dedicated his life to ensuring that rural communities receive vital care,” noted Teresa Barreira, executive producer of the documentary. “He really knows how to navigate the medical system to benefit his patients.”
Hotz is not entirely new to the limelight. Interestingly, he inspired the film “Doc Hollywood,” featuring Michael J. Fox back in 1991.
Originally, Hotz had envisioned his practice in Athens, home to the University of Georgia, but fate had him settling in Leesburg, a more rustic setting. He was living with his stepbrother-in-law, and they both had young, ambitious dreams of making an impact—though they soon realized just how challenging rural healthcare could be.
“We didn’t fully grasp the enormity of the task ahead. There hadn’t been doctors in the area for 30 or 40 years,” he said, reflecting on how they became the only medical providers in the county.
Hotz’s first patient was a woman with advanced cervical cancer—her condition was so severe, it was hard for him to comprehend. “You run into some pretty advanced illnesses when there’s no healthcare provider around,” he mentioned.
In his tenure, he’s treated not only severe illnesses but also farm injuries, snake bites, and pesticide-related issues. One tale he shared was about hunters who brought home wild pig meat: “I remember guys running barefoot in the swamp. One of them thought he had been stung by a bee, but his injury looked more like a snakebite to me.”
In a particularly uncommon case, he dealt with a worker who contracted cryptococcal meningitis after being exposed to pigeon droppings while working in a hay loft.
There’s a certain quirkiness in rural medicine, where unique exposures occur. Hotz chuckled, “I can’t tell you how many patients I’ve seen who fell from deer stands.” It’s common for hunters to doze off while waiting for deer.
However, the predominant health challenges he sees revolve around hypertension, diabetes, and obesity. “When I started, about 3% of my patients had diabetes, and 10% were obese. Now, it’s more like 70% obesity,” he indicated, adding that they manage thousands of patients with diabetes and hypertension.
His practice also offers care for almost 1,400 HIV patients. Hotz initiated a local HIV program back in 1983, when resources to address the disease were virtually non-existent.
Healthcare has evolved dramatically over the years. For instance, Publicis Sapient has developed a digital tool to deploy healthcare professionals in underserved areas, which is showcased in “Doc Albany.” Barreira remarked, “If we can assist more providers like Dr. Hotz, we can begin to bridge the gap in healthcare access nationwide.”
The ongoing challenges in healthcare are evident, especially with the recent rise in tuberculosis cases, a disease dating back to ancient times. Issues like the COVID-19 pandemic—delayed diagnoses and treatments—have led to a resurgence of cases, paired with increased mobility from high-prevalence regions.
Last year, there were over 10,300 reported tuberculosis cases in the U.S., an increase from around 9,600 the previous year. In New York City alone, reports documented 839 cases, a rise from 684 in 2023.
Reflecting on the issue, Hotz stated, “If it can hit New York City, there’s no reason it can’t make its way to South Georgia.”
