Hometown Care in Prattville, AL
Specialized services make a big impact in the region.
Prattville and Autauga County residents benefit from a number of creative health care offerings, from the local hospital to specialized therapies.
Innovation & Excellence
Prattville Baptist Hospital keeps important services close to home for locals. Its Imaging Center now offers Tomosynthesis 3D mammography, with accuracy that helps dramatically increase early diagnosis while reducing false alarms. The center also offers a state-of-the-art MRI scanner that makes for a better patient experience and increases imaging capabilities.
“It is our great honor to serve our neighbors with the highest level of expertise and compassionate care,” says Eric Morgan, CEO of Prattville Baptist Hospital. “Throughout the past few years, Baptist Health and Prattville Baptist have committed to a pursuit of innovation and excellence in every advancement we make to give the residents of Prattville, Autauga County and the surrounding area the very best health and wellness experience possible.”
The hospital recently developed a 22-bed wing, providing inpatient care for geriatric behavioral health. This program offers care close to home for seniors with complex mental health conditions, including dementia, substance use disorders, mood disorders and more.
“Behavioral health services for our geriatric population were lacking, and we knew that needed to change, which is why we opened this unit in 2021,” Morgan says. “Since then, we have cared for hundreds of patients, and we are proud to offer this much-needed service that provides families with peace of mind.”
Reasons to Smile
A Chicago native, Dr. John Biancalana of New Beginnings Dental practiced for many years in the Midwest before moving his family to Clanton and opening a practice in Prattville. Now, he continues in the tradition of the hometown dentist.
“I get the most out of being able to help people who are so afraid of going to the dentist,” Biancalana says. “For all these years, I’ve had to deal with people’s past fears. I like being able to take people who are scared, get them through the procedure and on to more procedures, and have them walk out with a smile and feel good about themselves.”
The practice’s in-house Smile Savings Program offers patients without insurance a fee schedule similar to those with insurance coverage.
“I’ve had people say this has helped them a lot,” Biancalana says. “I don’t like turning anybody away. It’s a feel-good thing, and it keeps me busy.”
He says Prattville is a good location, with new subdivisions welcoming families and new corporate headquarters.
“That’s how you build a practice,” Biancalana says. “You get one person in, then you get cousins, aunts, grandparents. There’s a lot of opportunity for growth.”
Making Connections
Prattville native Jocelyn Stovall first learned about music therapy through her younger sister, who has Down syndrome. Nearly 20 years later, Stovall founded Evolve Music Therapy Services, and through it, she serves a variety of clients, including children and young adults with and without disabilities, older adults in nursing homes or senior centers, and corporate professionals.
“It’s very near and dear to my heart,” Stovall says. “We’re adaptable. We’re creative and able to facilitate whatever goal you are looking to achieve. To sum it up, I serve everyone. Music therapy really benefits anyone who has something they want to work on.”
She offers piano lessons, including adaptive lessons for young adults with disabilities or special needs. For this same audience, Stovall leads a weekly music therapy session that focuses on communication and socialization.
“This helps them build skills they can transfer into their daily lives with their families and anyone they encounter,” she says.
Her work with older adults also focuses on socialization incorporating music. “With them, a lot of it is nostalgic,” she says. “We take a memory-making perspective, working on rekindling memories. Reflecting helps us move forward, helps us understand where we are and where we’ve come from.”
One of Stovall’s most impactful programs recently has been the Groovers class for young adults ages 18 and up who have developmental disabilities.
“They have become like this little family, and there are interactions they have built through our sessions,” she says. “That is just so representative of our community, and the power of connection through people.”
Stovall draws inspiration from her grandmother, a hairdresser who was the first female Black business owner in Prattville.
“It just seems full circle,” Stovall says, “to see how she influenced people through a different way. I get to take that same aspect, to care about the people in our city and their well-being. This is my town!”
Get to Know Prattville
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