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Tanner Health announced that Tanner Medical Center/Villa Rica has achieved accolades for clinical excellence from Healthgrades, the #1 site Americans use when searching for a doctor or hospital. Among the hospital’s distinctions are: two Five Star 2025 Awards, one for Coronary Interventional Procedures and one for Treatment of Heart Attack; and a Coronary Intervention Excellence Award for 2025.

“We are proud to accept these awards, which reflect the quality of care we provide to our coronary patients,” said Loy Howard, president and CEO of Tanner Health. “These awards place Tanner Medical Center/Villa Rica in the upper echelon of hospitals for coronary care nationwide and reflect Tanner Health’s system-wide commitment to exceptional cardiovascular care.”

Tanner Medical Center/Villa Rica’s achievements are based solely on what matters most: patient outcomes. As part of its 2025 hospital assessment, Healthgrades evaluated risk-adjusted mortality and complication rates for over 30 of the most common conditions and procedures at approximately 4,500 hospitals nationwide to determine the top performers in specialty care. By offering easy access to objective performance measures, Healthgrades helps consumers find and select a hospital that excels in providing the care they need.

“These awards validate our approach to interventional cardiovascular care at Tanner Medical Center/Villa Rica,” said Shazib Khawaja, MD, a board-certified interventional cardiologist and endovascular specialist with Tanner Heart & Vascular Specialists, chief of interventional cardiology, and medical operations leader for Tanner Heart Care. “It also acknowledges the hard work and dedication of our cardiovascular team members in delivering exceptional care to every patient.”

Tanner Medical Center/Villa Rica is a 53-bed acute care hospital located in Villa Rica, Georgia, serving the residents of Carroll, Douglas and Paulding counties and beyond. Tanner Heart Center, located inside the hospital, is an accredited chest pain center and certified primary stroke center, offering interventional cardiology, and a wide variety of cardiac tests and procedures. Learn more at tanner.org/heart-care.

“Healthgrades commends Tanner Medical Center/Villa Rica for their clear commitment to delivering consistently superior patient outcomes in critical service areas, including Five Star 2025 Awards for Coronary Interventional Procedures, and Treatment of Heart Attack; and a Coronary Intervention Excellence Award for 2025,” said Brad Bowman, MD, chief medical officer and head of data science at Healthgrades. “Tanner Medical Center/Villa Rica’s leadership, expertise, and unwavering dedication to clinical excellence set a high mark for specialty care in Georgia and nationwide.”

Consumers can visit healthgrades.com to learn more about how Healthgrades measures hospital quality and access a patient-friendly overview of how we rate and why hospital quality matters here.

Tanner Health has had cardiologists on its hospital staff for most of its 75-year history, but the system first launched its interventional cardiology program at Tanner Medical Center/Carrollton in 2006, offering a nonsurgical angioplasty and stenting procedure to clear blocked arteries. This same procedure expanded to Tanner Medical Center/Villa Rica in 2015, providing Villa Rica residents with the procedure, closer to home, to save hearts and lives. In January 2023, Tanner Health began offering open-heart surgery in the new Adams Heart Center in Carrollton, providing a local option for the many open-heart cases in the region. Tanner Health continues to add cardiac services, which will include structural heart in Carrollton in the near future. Both Tanner Medical Center/Carrollton and Tanner Medical Center/Villa Rica are accredited chest pain centers.

Healthgrades is dedicated to empowering meaningful connections between patients, doctors, and hospitals. As the #1 platform for finding a doctor and a leader in healthcare transparency, we help millions of consumers each month find and schedule appointments with their healthcare professional of choice and prepare for their appointments with best-in-class, treatment-focused content.

For over 20 years, our health system, group practice, and life sciences marketing solutions have helped our partners reach and engage consumers on their way to the doctor.

Healthgrades is part of RVO Health, a partnership between Red Ventures and Optum, part of UnitedHealth Group. RVO Health has the largest consumer health and wellness audience online across its brand portfolio, including Healthgrades, Healthline, Medical News Today, Greatist, Psych Central and Bezzy, which touch every part of the health and wellness journey. RVO Health helps more than 100 million unique visitors live their strongest and healthiest lives each month.

Northside Hospital’s Blood and Marrow Transplant (BMT) Program has again ranked among the best in the United States for bone marrow transplant survival outcomes.

For the 16th consecutive year (2009-24), Northside’s program exceeded predicted one-year survival outcomes for U.S. transplant centers, according to the 2024 Transplant Center Survival Report by the Centers for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research (CIBMTR).

The big picture: Every three or four minutes, someone in the U.S. is diagnosed with a blood cancer like leukemia, according to NMDP^SM (formerly Be The Match®). For many patients, their only hope for a cure is a blood or marrow transplant.

By the numbers: Each year, CIBMTR analyzes survival data for U.S. transplant centers performing allogeneic transplants, providing an overall risk-adjusted analysis indicating whether one-year survival is as expected, above expected or below expected for each specific transplant center compared to an average transplant center.

SGMC Health nursing leadership and High Reliability Organization Champions celebrate receiving national recognition in patient safety from Press Ganey

SGMC Health is proud to announce its recognition as a 2024 Press Ganey Human Experience Award winner, a distinction honoring healthcare organizations for excellence in safety and human-centered care. SGMC Health was recognized for outstanding achievements in safety, including:

Press Ganey, the nation’s leading provider of healthcare experience measurement and analytics, highlights organizations that demonstrate unwavering dedication to safety, quality, and the overall human experience. SGMC Health was one of only 23 healthcare facilities nationwide awarded for setting new benchmarks in safety and care excellence.

“This recognition reflects SGMC Health’s steadfast commitment to prioritizing the well-being of every patient, every day,” said Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Randy Smith. “Achieving these milestones required a commitment to the goal of zero harm with a laser focus on building a culture of safety, actively promoting safety as a core value, empowering our teams, and improving reliability through better process design to ensure the best outcomes for those we serve.”

SGMC Health’s remarkable progress in reducing Serious Safety Events (SSEs) its two Valdosta campuses and achieving Zero Harm at both SGMC Health Lanier and SGMC Health Berrien is the result of proactive initiatives on its journey to becoming a High Reliability Organization (HRO). This ongoing safety and quality journey includes enhanced communication, rigorous safety protocols, and advanced training programs for staff. These efforts have fostered a robust culture of safety that ensures patients receive high-quality, harm-free care every time.

“This award is a testament to the dedication and collaboration of our exceptional healthcare professionals,” added Smith. “We’re proud of how far we’ve come and understand safety and high reliability is a journey, not a single destination, that will require an ongoing commitment to continuous improvement to maintain a culture focused on preventing errors.” Looking ahead, SGMC Health continues to innovate with initiatives focused on safety, quality, and community health, ensuring a brighter future for the region.

Lung cancer is an especially difficult type of cancer to detect early, part of why it is the leading cause of cancer deaths in the U.S. and around the world. St. Mary’s is now on the leading edge of faster, safer lung cancer detection with the addition of the Ion Robotic Bronchoscopy System from Intuitive, the same company that created the da Vinci surgical robot.

In partnership with Dr. Eduardo Martinez and Athens Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine (APSM), St. Mary’s acquired the Ion system in November 2024. After the required period of testing and training, Dr. Martinez and Dr. Nick Fox, also of APSM, have performed 23 Ion procedures at St. Mary’s, which is the first hospital in the Athens area to offer this state-of-the-art technology in the fight against cancer.

Patients who have a suspicious lung nodule need definitive answers quickly, both for peace of mind and so that treatment for cancer can begin sooner, when it’s most likely to be effective. With traditional methods, patients with a suspicious nodule may have to wait months for a follow-up CT to find out if the nodule has grown, or may need multiple biopsies, which can add more time to the patient’s journey. The Ion greatly shortens the amount of time needed to reach a diagnosis.

The Ion is a minimally invasive system that reaches the lungs through the windpipe and requires no incisions. It uses ultra-thin, ultra-maneuverable tubes called catheters that can collect samples from lesions in all 18 segments of the lung with great precision. It can even collect samples from hard-to-reach lesions in the periphery of the lungs, which is where more than 70 percent of lung cancer nodules occur.

Here’s how it works: A few days before the biopsy, St. Mary’s team takes 3D CT scans of the patient’s chest to determine the precise location of suspicious nodules. The pulmonologist then uses the Ion’s computing power to map the best route through the lung’s elaborate bronchial system to reach the nodules from inside the body. During the Ion procedure, the pulmonologist is assisted by the robotic system to carefully navigate a catheter to each target nodule and collect samples for analysis. It’s done under twilight anesthesia, and the patient can go home the same day.

The biopsy procedure is a follow-up for suspicious symptoms or a screening exam that uses low-dose CT imaging. If a patient has symptoms, their physician can refer them for CT testing. Patients without symptoms can also be tested without a physician referral through St. Mary’s Low-Dose Lung Cancer Screening Program. This program is available at all three St. Mary’s hospitals and at St. Mary’s Outpatient Diagnostic Center on Daniells Bridge Road, Athens. Patients ages 50-77 years with a history of smoking can schedule a screening by calling 706-389-2700, with next-day appointments often available.

To learn more, call Athens Pulmonology at (706) 549-5560 or visit www.stmarys-health.org.

The American College of Cardiology has recognized Hamilton Medical Center (HMC) for its demonstrated expertise and commitment in treating patients with chest pain. HMC was awarded Chest Pain Center Accreditation with Primary PCI based on a rigorous onsite evaluation of the staff’s ability to evaluate, diagnose and treat patients who may be experiencing a heart attack.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 730,000 Americans suffer a heart attack each year. The most common symptom of a heart attack for both men and women is chest pain or discomfort. However, women are more likely to have atypical symptoms. Other heart attack symptoms include, but are not limited to, tingling or discomfort in one or both arms, back, shoulder, neck or jaw, shortness of breath, cold sweat, unusual tiredness, heartburn-like feeling, nausea or vomiting, sudden dizziness and fainting.

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is also known as coronary angioplasty. It is a non-surgical procedure that opens narrowed or blocked coronary arteries with a balloon to relieve symptoms of heart disease or reduce heart damage during or after a heart attack.

Hospitals that have earned ACC Chest Pain Center with Primary PCI Accreditation have proven exceptional competency in treating patients with heart attack symptoms and have primary PCI available 24/7 every day of the year. As required to meet the criteria of the accreditation designation, they comply with standard Chest Pain Center protocols and are equipped with a robust hypothermia program for post-cardiac arrest treatment. These facilities also maintain a “No Diversion Policy” for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients.

“Hamilton Medical Center has demonstrated its commitment to providing the Dalton and surrounding communities with excellent heart care,” said Deepak L. Bhatt, MD, MPH, FACC, chair of the ACC Accreditation Management Board. “ACC Accreditation Services is proud to award Hamilton with Chest Pain Center with Primary PCI Accreditation.”

Hospitals receiving Chest Pain Center with Primary PCI Accreditation from the ACC must take part in a multi-faceted clinical process that involves: completing a gap analysis; examining variances of care, developing an action plan; a rigorous onsite review; and monitoring for sustained success. Improved methods and strategies of caring for patients include streamlining processes, implementing of guidelines and standards, and adopting best practices in the care of patients experiencing the signs and symptoms of a heart attack. Facilities that achieve accreditation meet or exceed an array of stringent criteria and have organized a team of doctors, nurses, clinicians and administrative staff that earnestly support the efforts leading to better patient education and improved patient outcomes.

The ACC offers U.S. and international hospitals like HMC access to a comprehensive suite of cardiac accreditation services designed to optimize patient outcomes and improve hospital financial performance. These services are focused on all aspects of cardiac care, including emergency treatment of heart attacks.

Peeples Cancer Institute (PCI) at Hamilton Medical Center has been awarded a three-year term of accreditation in radiation oncology as the result of a recent review by the American College of Radiology® (ACR®). PCI is the only facility within a 50-mile radius of Chattanooga to be ACR accredited for Radiation Oncology.

The ACR gold seal showcases that PCI has met the high standards of the ACR for quality and safety in radiation oncology treatment. This recognition not only validates the expertise and proficiency of the institute’s staff but also provides assurance to patients and their families that they are receiving the best possible care. It is awarded only to facilities meeting specific requirements-based Practice Guidelines and Technical Standards developed by ACR.

The certification includes a peer-review evaluation by board-certified radiation oncologists and medical physicists who are experts in the field. Patient care and treatment, patient safety, personnel qualifications, adequacy of facility equipment, quality control procedures, and quality assurance programs are assessed.

Radiation oncology (radiation therapy) is the careful use of high-energy radiation to treat cancer. A radiation oncologist may use radiation to cure cancer or to relieve a cancer patient’s pain.

The ACR is comprised of physicians, physicists and technology experts in radiology and radiation oncology, and is the oldest and most experienced imaging and radiation oncology accreditation body, with more than 30 years of experience in imaging and radiation oncology accreditation. Founded in 1924, ACR is a 42,000-member medical association that advances patient care, medical practice and collaborative results through advocacy, quality standards, research and education.

On December 10, 2024, SGMC Health celebrated a milestone hospital expansion with a ribbon cutting opening its new $15 million Emergency Department in Nashville, Georgia. The state-of-the-art, 26,000-square-foot expansion was revealed to Berrien County community leaders, healthcare professionals, and legislators, heralding a new era of advanced care for Berrien County and surrounding communities.

This landmark project replaces the original four-room emergency department with a modern nine-room emergency facility. Enhanced features include larger trauma and specialty care rooms, advanced monitoring systems, and improved support spaces. With a growing number of patients treated in the Berrien ER last year, the expansion is poised to meet future demands while delivering top-tier care.

“Our hospital expansion and new Emergency Department is a significant investment in the health and well-being of the residents of Berrien County and the surrounding communities,” said Ronald E. Dean, President and CEO of SGMC Health. “Through the support of our community leaders, dedicated employees, volunteers, generous donors, and medical staff this new, fully equipped facility will serve South Georgians with advanced capabilities for decades to come.”

The ribbon-cutting ceremony underscored the essential role of rural hospitals in the healthcare landscape. Since opening its doors in 1965, SGMC Health Berrien has been a cornerstone of its community, adapting to meet evolving healthcare needs. Beyond patient care, SGMC Health Berrien significantly contributes to the local economy, supporting hundreds of jobs and generating $24 million in economic impact to the county annually.

Nationwide, rural hospitals face significant challenges. According to data from the National Rural Health Association, more than 140 rural hospitals have closed in the United States since 2010, and over 600 are at risk of closure. In Georgia alone, the Georgia Hospital Association reports that nearly 40% of rural hospitals operate at a financial loss. These closures not only reduce access to care but also disrupt local economies, eliminating jobs and essential services.

“This expansion not only enhances the quality of care available to our residents, but it also improves the quality of life and strengthens the economic foundation of Berrien County,” shared Nashville City Manager Hayden Hancock who also Chairs the SGMC Health Foundation Board of Trustees and serves on the Berrien Advisory Committee.

SGMC Health Berrien’s new Emergency Department exemplifies how community support can fortify rural healthcare. A sizable portion of the project was funded through individuals and businesses who chose to redirect their state tax dollars to the Berrien campus through the Georgia HEART Hospital Tax Credit program. This statewide initiative has been a lifeline for many rural healthcare facilities in Georgia, enabling them to modernize infrastructure and enhance patient care.

Additionally, leadership-level gifts, along with contributions from countless generous donors, have played a vital role in making SGMC Health’s new rural ER a reality. Notable supporters include the Loretha and Paul Thiele Charitable Trust, the Morrison Family in memory of Andy and Mary Carrell Morrison, Buck and Nancy Pegg, along with Ed Perry and his family.

“Every gift, large or small, has been instrumental in advancing access to quality healthcare for rural Georgians,” shared Hilary Gibbs, SGMC Health Vice President of Support Services and Chief Development Officer. “This new ER is a beacon of hope and healing, and we are deeply grateful for all who support the dedicated physicians and staff who will walk these halls, offering care and compassion to those in need.”

SGMC Health Chairman of the Board Sam Allen said, “This new Emergency Department is more than a building—it is a lifeline for those needing accessible and high-quality healthcare. SGMC Health is committed to improving the lives of all we serve, especially those who live in rural communities.”

In addition to emergency services, SGMC Health Berrien offers a comprehensive suite of medical care, including inpatient and outpatient services, 3-D mammography, a geriatric psychiatric unit, pulmonary rehabilitation and a substance abuse center. The hospital’s expansion sets the stage for decades of continued service, ensuring its role as a pillar of health and well-being for the community it serves.

Georgia State Representative Penny Houston shared her gratitude, “This is a gift to our community that would not have been possible without the time, talent, and treasures of so many. SGMC Health has given the people of our area and of Berrien County better health for the future and for that I am so proud.”

For more information about SGMC Health Berrien and its services, visit sgmc.org.

SGMC Health is the most comprehensive health system serving South Georgia and North Florida. SGMC Health operates four hospitals across Lowndes, Berrien, and Lanier counties. The system also operates ambulance services, an extensive medical office network, a cancer center, hospice facility, retirement center, skilled nursing facility, imaging centers and urgent cares. Service lines of regional prominence include heart and vascular, stroke, trauma, cancer, surgery, and women and infants.

SGMC Health is thrilled to announce that robotic thoracic surgeries are now being performed at SGMC’s Dasher Heart Center by experienced cardiothoracic surgeon Patrick Murrah, MD. This advancement marks a significant milestone in the health system’s commitment to providing state-of-the-art medical care to the South Georgia community.

While the robotic thoracic surgery is new to SGMC Health, Dr. Murrah is no stranger to the procedure having performed more than 300 in his career. Dr. Murrah joined SGMC Health and SGMC’s CardioVascular Institute earlier this year and has more than 22 years of experience in cardiothoracic surgery.

Robotic thoracic surgery utilizes the latest in robotic technology to assist surgeons in performing delicate and complex procedures, including lung resections, mediastinal tumor removals, and esophageal surgeries.

“The technology allows for minimally invasive procedures with smaller incisions, less pain, and quicker recovery for patients. I am excited to bring this advanced level of care to our community and improve the quality of life for those suffering from thoracic conditions,” said Dr. Murrah.

The introduction of robotic thoracic surgeries is part of SGMC Health’s ongoing efforts to expand its range of advanced medical services and improve healthcare accessibility in the region. By investing in cutting-edge technology and highly skilled professionals, SGMC Health continues to set new standards in patient care and medical excellence.

For more information about robotic thoracic surgeries at SGMC Health, or to schedule a consultation with Dr. Murrah, please visit sgmc.org or call the SGMC CardioVascular Insititute at 229-433-4369.

The Georgia Alliance of Community Hospital, representing not-for-profit hospitals and healthcare systems in Georgia has named SGMC Health’s Main Campus in Valdosta our “Large Hospital of the Year” for 2024 at the Alliance’s 41^st Annual Conference.

“I am pleased to recognize SGMC Health as our Large Hospital of the Year, recognizing their consistent focus on patient care, and improving to serve their community,” said Monty Veazey, President and CEO of the Alliance.

“From their beginning as a standalone hospital in Valdosta to their current status as a four-hospital health system serving 15 South Georgia Campus, SGMC Health has rooted itself in serving South Georgia,” said Veazey.

“To help address major shortfalls in healthcare staffing, SGMC partners with The Mercer University School of Medicine Valdosta Clinical Campus to train the next generation of rural practitioners. Their plans to add Family Medicine, OB/GYN, and Psychiatry programs shows the depth of their commitment to providing specialty care in the community without having to travel further,” said Veazey

“Beyond the walls of their facilities, SGMC Health reaches out with community care programs including providing AED stations, ambulance traffic preemption systems, free mammography for qualifying rural patients, and hosting community stroke seminars,” said Veazey.

The Georgia Alliance of Community Hospital, representing not-for-profit hospitals and healthcare systems in Georgia has named St. Mary’s Health Care System’s Good Samaritan Hospital in Greensboro, Georgia as “Small Hospital of the Year” for 2024 at the Alliance’s 41^st Annual Conference.

“Good Samaritan’s mission from the beginning has been to bring modern, effective healthcare including specialist physicians into their community so patients can receive top-notch healthcare in their community near their families and friends. Prior to Good Samaritan’s opening in the new facility, nearly 70 percent of Green County residents traveled outside the county for medical care. Since the opening of the new facility, emergency department visits have grown more than sixty percent reflecting the area’s rising population and Good Samaritan’s role as the hometown healthcare facility of choice.” said Monty Veazey, President and CEO of the Alliance.

“Good Samaritan has consistently worked to expand their service offerings for patients, including recent purchases of an MRI and a 640-slice CT scanner, and developing their telehealth program in conjunction with St. Mary’s Hospital in Athens, offering specialty consultations like neurology and nephrology,” said Veazey.

“For their commitment to bringing healthcare previously found only in larger cities, and their progress in upgrading their main facility, their service lines, and the health options for their growing community, I am pleased to present the 2024 Small Hospital of the Year award to St. Mary’s Good Samaritan Hospital,” said Veazey.