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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.

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.

The Georgia Alliance of Community Hospital, representing not-for-profit hospitals and healthcare systems in Georgia has named Carol Burrell of Northeast Georgia Health System our “CEO of the Year” for 2024.

“Carol Burrell has overseen a dramatic growth of Northeast Georgia Health System, which includes five acute care hospitals in Braselton, Winder, Demorest, and Dahlonega, in addition to their flagship hospital in Gainesville,” said Monty Veazey, President and CEO of the Alliance.

“During her tenure and under her leadership, Northeast Georgia Health System’s Gainesville hospital was designated a Level II Trauma Center in 2013, and last year, it was verified as a Level I trauma center, the highest level of care available,” said Veazey.

“Carol Burrell also led the system to create a Graduate Medical Education program that has grown to include seven residency specialties, two fellowship, and more than 200 physician learners across the healthcare system,” said Veazey.

“Georgia Trend magazine named Carol Burrell Georgia’s Most Respected Business Leader and she had become a fixture on their 100 Most Influential Georgians list with ten consecutive appearances,” said Veazey.

“Carol Burrell’s legacy in Georgia includes building a stable comprehensive health care system offering the highest level of trauma care, a strong graduate medical education program, and an ethos of placing patient care at the highest level of importance,” said Veazey.

Northeast Georgia Health System’s (NGHS) commitment to giving patients the highest-quality care for heart failure, stroke, diabetes and more is earning national recognition.

The American Heart Association recently presented the system’s Northeast Georgia Medical Center (NGMC) hospitals with 17 awards through the national Get With The Guidelines program honoring excellence in quality improvement, which leads to more lives saved, shorter recovery times and fewer readmissions to the hospital.

“NGHS is committed to improving care and streamlining processes to lead the way in providing timely and high-quality care for heart attacks and strokes,” said Vik Reddy, MD, chief medical officer for NGHS. “The Get With The Guidelines program makes it easier for our teams to put proven knowledge and guidelines to work on a daily basis, which helps us ensure more people in the communities we serve experience longer, healthier lives.”

NGMC hospitals received the following awards from the American Heart Association:

The Get With The Guidelines quality achievement awards are earned by hospitals that demonstrate a commitment to treating patients according to the most up-to-date guidelines as outlined by the American Heart Association. The program aims to increase healthy days at home and reduce hospital readmissions.

The Get With the Guidelines – Resuscitation recognition underscores NGMC’s commitment to providing the highest standard of care for some of its most vulnerable patients: newborns and infants. NGMC has implemented a range of advanced protocols and training programs aimed at ensuring rapid and effective resuscitation for newborns and infants who require it.

Hospitals on the Target: Heart Failure Honor Roll meet specific criteria that improve medication adherence, provide early follow-up care and coordination, and enhance patient education. The goal is to further reduce hospital readmissions and help patients improve their quality of life in managing this chronic condition. Target: Type 2 Diabetes aims to ensure patients with Type 2 diabetes, who might be at higher risk for complications, receive the most up-to-date, evidence-based care when hospitalized due to heart disease or stroke.

Northeast Georgia Health System (NGHS) is a non-profit on a mission of improving the health of our community in all we do. Our team cares for more than 1 million people across the region through five hospitals and a variety of outpatient locations. Northeast Georgia Medical Center (NGMC) has campuses in Gainesville, Braselton, Winder, Dahlonega and Demorest – with a total of more than 960 beds and more than 1,400 medical staff members representing more than 60 specialties. Learn more at www.nghs.com.

Since 1951, Northeast Georgia Medical Center (NGMC) has been on a mission of improving the health of our community in all we do. With hospitals located in Gainesville, Braselton, Winder, Dahlonega and Demorest, the five NGMC campuses have a total of more than 960 beds and more than 1,400 medical staff members representing more than 60 specialties. NGMC is part of Northeast Georgia Health System, a non-profit that cares for more than one million people across more than 19 counties. Learn more at nghs.com.

Vitruvian Health (formerly Hamilton Health Care System) Completes Acquisi;on of Tennova Healthcare – Cleveland 2:16 pm

Vitruvian Health, formerly Hamilton Health Care System, today announced it has completed the purchase of Tennova Healthcare – Cleveland, marking the system’s expansion into Tennessee. In tribute to the community and the hospital’s heritage, the facility will be renamed Vitruvian Health – Bradley Medical Center.

The system entered into an agreement in April with a subsidiary of Community Health Systems, Inc. (NYSE:CYH) to acquire the hospital and its related businesses including physician clinic operaXons and outpaXent services. The transacXon recently received regulatory approval.

“Healthcare is evolving rapidly, but what’s important to our community members – our friends, family and neighbors – is accessing the care they need, when they need it, from providers they trust,” said Jeff Myers, CEO of Vitruvian Health. “IntegraXng Bradley Medical Center and its associated care locaXons into the Vitruvian Health system allows us to provide greater access to care in our region, enhance care coordinaXon, empower local health care teams, and advance clinical quality.”

Vitruvian Health is commi]ed to invesXng in Bradley Medical Center and its associated pracXces and locaXons through capital expenditures, expanding and reinforcing clinical capabiliXes, forXfying recruitment and retenXon efforts, and maintaining a commitment to providing care close to home. Vitruvian Health and Bradley Medical Center teams will be working in the coming months to fully implement operaXonal, clinical, and system integraXons.

“For more than seven decades, this hospital has been a cornerstone for Bradley County and its neighboring communiXes. We are commi]ed to invesXng in the future of Bradley Medical Center, conXnuing its legacy for many more years to come,” said Lisa Lovelace, the recently named CEO of Bradley Medical Center. Lovelace was previously the chief operaXng officer at Tennova Healthcare – Cleveland before joining Hamilton Health Care System in 2021.

To honor the hospital, providers, associates, and the community, Vitruvian Health and Bradley Medical Center look forward to hosXng a signage ceremony and ribbon cuang in the near future. More informaXon will be announced about the ceremony soon.

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About Vitruvian Health

Hamilton Health Care System last week announced its rebranding to Vitruvian Health, honoring a legacy of excellence and innovaXon with a vision for the future. The system’s logo features Leonardo da Vinci’s Vitruvian Man, the embodiment of health, wellness and balance.

Vitruvian Health is a not-for-profit, fully integrated health system serving the northwest Georgia and southeast Tennessee region. The Dalton-based flagship of the system, Hamilton Medical Center, is a 255-bed regional acute-care hospital offering major medical, surgical and diagnosXc services, including a cancer insXtute, comprehensive cardiovascular program, wellness center, and accredited stroke and chest pain center. Vitruvian Health also includes affiliated physician pracXces, walk-in care centers, skilled nursing centers, a diagnosXc center, an insXtute for children with developmental delays, and more, totaling more than 50 care access points throughout northwest Georgia prior to the Tennova Healthcare – Cleveland acquisiXon.

Known for its advanced care and personalized service, Vitruvian Health offers innovaXve treatment opXons in state-of-the-art faciliXes while maintaining a compassionate, friendly and tranquil healing environment.

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St. Mary’s Hospital has been named by U.S. News & World Report to its 2024-2025 Best Hospitals as a High Performing hospital for heart attack, stroke, hip replacement and knee replacement. This is the highest distinction a hospital can earn for U.S. News’ Best Hospitals Procedures & Conditions ratings.

The annual Procedures & Conditions ratings are designed to assist patients and their health care providers in making informed decisions about where to receive care for challenging health conditions or elective procedures. This is the second year in a row that U.S. News & World Report has named St. Mary’s as a High Performing hospital for these four conditions and procedures.

“Patient safety, quality and experience are our top priorities,” said Stonish Pierce, President and CEO of Trinity Health Georgia, which includes St. Mary’s Hospital.

“Being recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a High Performing Hospital for two years in a row reflects the tremendous dedication and commitment of our staff and medical staff to delivering quality care to our patients 24/7/365,” Pierce continued. “Our patients can have confidence that they are in good hands at St. Mary’s.”

U.S. News evaluated nearly 5,000 hospitals across 15 specialties and 20 procedures and conditions. Hospitals awarded a “Best” designation excelled at factors such as clinical outcomes, level of nursing care and patient experience.

“For 35 years, U.S. News has been a leading resource for patients navigating their health care decisions,” said Ben Harder, chief of health analysis and managing editor at U.S. News. “The ‘High Performing’ designation acknowledges hospitals that consistently deliver high-quality care for speciﬁc medical procedures and conditions. This recognition highlights their expertise and commitment to patient well-being.”

To calculate the Best Hospitals rankings, U.S. News evaluated each hospital’s performance on objective measures such as risk-adjusted mortality rates, preventable complications and level of nursing care. The Best Hospitals Specialty rankings methodology and Procedures & Conditions ratings methodology measure patient outcomes using data from millions of records provided by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. This year, among other methodology reﬁnements, U.S. News incorporated new data on care provided to patients with Medicare Advantage insurance and on care provided to outpatients, nearly doubling the number of patients included in its annual data analysis. The Procedures & Conditions ratings are based entirely on objective quality measures.

St. Mary’s Hospital is a faith-based, not-for-profit community hospital that has served Athens and Northeast Georgia for more than 117 years. As part of St. Mary’s Health Care System and Trinity Health, the third largest not-for-profit health system in the U.S., its mission is to be a compassionate and transforming healing presence in the communities it serves. St. Mary’s Hospital is a certified chest pain center, a gold-plus hospital for stroke care, and has a special focus on neurosciences, orthopedics, cardiac care, general medicine/general surgery, and women’s and children’s health.

U.S. News & World Report is the global leader in quality rankings that empower consumers, business leaders and policy ofﬁcials to make better, more informed decisions about important issues affecting their lives and communities. A multifaceted digital media company with Education, Health, Money, Travel, Cars, News, Real Estate, Careers and 360 Reviews platforms, U.S. News provides rankings, independent reporting, data journalism, consumer advice and U.S. News Live events. More than 40 million people visit USNews.com each month for research and guidance. Founded in 1933, U.S. News is headquartered in Washington, D.C.

Residents in Dahlonega, Dawsonville and surrounding communities have a new hospital for emergency and inpatient care – and can now have surgery close to home, too. The new Northeast Georgia Medical Center (NGMC) Lumpkin hospital treated its first patients early this morning.

The first patient arrived in the emergency department at 7:18 this morning. Heather Hughes, of Dahlonega, was treated by emergency medicine physician Kristin Halligan, MD, for an ear complaint. Hughes was released around 7:40 a.m.

“I’m so proud to start this new chapter for Northeast Georgia Health System (NGHS),” said Kevin Matson, vice president of regional hospitals for NGHS. “Everything has gone smoothly today, all because so many people have been planning for this for years. Now, I’m looking forward to our first surgery scheduled for Thursday.”

NGHS moved NGMC Lumpkin from the old Chestatee Regional Hospital building on Mountain Drive to its new home along Georgia 400, just south of Highway 60, which is easier to access. The single-story, 66,000-square-foot building is located at 495 GA-400 in Dahlonega. Services include 24/7 emergency care, advanced surgery, inpatient care and on-site imaging, lab and pharmacy support.

Surgeons with Northeast Georgia Physicians Group will provide orthopedic surgery at NGMC Lumpkin starting this week. In the following months, the types of surgery offered will expand to include gynecologic and general surgery as well.

It’s estimated that more than 1,500 people attended a grand opening celebration at the new hospital on Saturday, April 13. The emergency department, inpatient rooms, operating rooms, procedural suite, Jackson EMC Community Room, Marie Webb Faulkner Memorial Chapel, café and dining area were open for tours.

“The response to the grand opening was overwhelmingly positive and far exceeded the number of people we expected, which we know led to some challenges with parking and concessions,” Matson said. “We take that as a sign of how much our services are needed in this community, and we look forward to caring for anyone who comes through our doors.”

After being delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic, NGMC Lumpkin was built on 53 acres, which includes plenty of space for future expansion to grow along with the surrounding population

“We couldn’t be more excited to have this hospital complete,” said Carol Burrell, president and CEO of NGHS. “We have dreamed of a brand-new hospital here to serve this beautiful community for so long, and I hope people will agree it was worth the wait.”

The NGMC Lumpkin campus backs up to the Chestatee River, and that tie to nature has been incorporated inside the hospital, thanks to the work of three local artists: Lily Payne, an open impressionism landscape artist based in Dahlonega; Deb Nadelhoffer, a landscape artist from Dawsonville; and Anna Elrod, a potter from Dahlonega. Their art was selected to be featured near the hospital’s main entrance, bringing the spirit of the surrounding landscape indoors.

“Of all the great things I’ve been blessed to participate in through serving in an elected office, I may be most proud of the group that came together to save health care in Lumpkin County – including Northeast Georgia Health System,” said Sen. Steve Gooch, who spoke during the grand opening celebration. “I’m looking forward to seeing this campus continue to grow and be a beacon of hope and healing.”

To learn more or find a surgeon operating at NGMC Lumpkin, visit nghs.com/lumpkin.

SGMC Health is the newest clinical campus for Mercer University School of Medicine (MUSM). Beginning this Summer, SGMC Health will welcome its first class of third- and fourth-year medical students.

According to Mercer, the goal of developing a clinical site in Valdosta is to allow medical students to experience the high-quality care offered by a tertiary medical center that serves rural communities. MUSM only admits Georgia residents and favors students from rural areas. Opening a clinical site in Valdosta expands the School’s reach to a critical medically underserved region.

Clerkship Directors are responsible for guiding clinical curriculum and rotations at SGMC Health include Meghan Gallagher, DO (Internal Medicine); Brian Griner, MD (Pediatrics); Anthony Johnson, MD (Family Medicine); Paresh Thanki, MD (Psychiatry); Ene Grace Morgan, MD (OBGYN); and James Davis, MD (Surgery).

SGMC Health President and Chief Executive Officer Ronald E. Dean shared, “SGMC Health is very proud of our partnership with Mercer University School of Medicine and we are incredibly grateful for the opportunity to partner in the development of the MUSM Valdosta clinical campus.”

SGMC Health and MUSM’s partnership began in 2020 with the establishment of an ACGME-accredited internal medicine residency program. Since its first class the program has been fully matched and now hosts 24 interns.

“What began as a strategic affiliation to develop residency training programs at SGMC Health has given way to an even greater opportunity to expand the pipeline of well-trained physicians for South Georgia. The dedication of our medical staff, employees and volunteers to support this endeavor is commendable and will shape the physician work force for our health system for years to come.”

The MUSM Valdosta campus will be located in a dedicated Medical Education Unit within the main campus at 2501 N Patterson Street. Beginning in July 2024, the site will offer all required clerkships and electives of Year 3, as well as the sub-internship, elective, and required elective rotations for Year 4 of the MD program. SGMC has a 15-county service area, much of which is rural so this affiliation offers an opportunity to advance the mission of MUSM by adding more rural clinical experiences to the clerkship and post-clerkship phases.

“Mercer University School of Medicine is honored to partner with SGMC Health,” stated Dr. Jean Sumner, dean of School of Medicine. “The opportunity to partner with SGMC gives our students a chance to experience a comprehensive rural hospital environment with excellent physicians, other highly trained professionals and the latest equipment and technology. Also, the spirit of commitment to the region and the patients who use SGMC’s services is impressive. Our students are all from Georgia and many are from south Georgia. Our expectation is with this experience they will choose to stay in the region to practice.”

MUSM graduate Joseph Hayes, MD, and current Designated Institutional Official at SGMC, will lead the Valdosta campus as associate dean. Dr. Hayes shared, “We are proud to take this next step in supporting and propelling medical education in South Georgia. SGMC Health has assembled an esteemed team of faculty who truly considers it an honor to serve in this capacity, inspiring and leading our next generation of doctors.”

Amari Evans is a rising third-year medical student from Valdosta and will be transferring from the MUSM Columbus campus to complete her medical education at the new clinical site within SGMC Health.

“My first job in healthcare was at SGMC Health as a medical scribe in the emergency department, so this is a full-circle moment for me. I am very excited to be able to complete my clinical years in Valdosta and to serve the community that has raised me,” said Evans. “Having a clinical campus in Valdosta contributes to Mercer students’ journey of becoming a successful Georgia physician by giving us an opportunity to serve a wide demographic of patients. I believe that the culture of Valdosta and the mission of MUSM will be a beautiful blend and will attract students to practice in the area.”

SGMC Health is currently constructing a medical simulation center to allow medical practice activities, including standardized patient encounters, to be provided on-site in Valdosta. This simulation center will also offer interdisciplinary training sessions in partnership with health professions programs at nearby Valdosta State University. Clinical partners provide all facilities including clinical skills exam rooms and simulation lab space. SGMC has allocated $250,000 for virtual reality and high-fidelity models for ultrasound and procedural training, which are comparable to those available on the other MUSM campuses.