Georgia Trend magazine recognized Tifton’s Monty Veazey, the CEO of the Georgia Alliance of Community Hospitals, as one of its 60 “Notable Georgians” for 2021 in its January issue.

“I’m honored to have my name mentioned alongside so many great Georgians who have accomplished so much for our state,” Veazey said. “I’m incredibly lucky to work every day with dedicated healthcare professional at community hospitals. They’ve always played a critical role in keeping Georgians – and our economy – healthy, but the stresses and demands of this pandemic have brought their sacrificial service into sharp focus.

“I appreciate Georgia Trend for bringing attention to the work that we are doing together because the hospitals that I represent are critical to their communities. We all have a role to play in protecting our community hospitals because they’re the only providers that are there for our families 24/7, whatever your healthcare needs are.”

Georgia Trend’s publisher said healthcare workers deserve special recognition for their front line roles in the fight against COVID.

“Narrowing down the list of 100 Most Influential Georgians and Notable Georgians is never easy thanks to the wealth of talent in the state,” said Ben Young, publisher and editor-in-chief of Georgia Trend. “With the ongoing pandemic, though, it just made sense this year honor our healthcare workers on Georgia Trend’s 100 Most Influential Georgians and Notable Georgians lists. We are so grateful for the outstanding commitment shown by the healthcare community and could think of no more deserving sector for recognition.”

The Georgia Alliance of Community Hospitals announced today that it’s added a trio of Georgia hospital executives to leadership posts. Daniel Owens, CEO of the Emory University Hospitals in Midtown and Smyrna, has joined the Alliance’s Executive Committee, and Darcy Craven, CEO of Archbold Medical Center in Thomasville, and Ronald Dean, CEO of South Georgia Medical Center in Valdosta, have joined the Alliance’s Board of Directors.

“Like healthcare professionals all across Georgia, these leaders have shown vision, grit and determination to serve the healthcare needs of their respective communities during a pandemic that has stressed the resources of hospitals all across our nation,” said Monty Veazey, the CEO of the Georgia Alliance of Community Hospitals. “They experience firsthand every day how healthcare policies affect their patients, access to care and the financial sustainability of hospitals that our communities rely on to protect Georgians’ health and lives. Daniel, Darcy and Ronald bring knowledge and passion to our mission, and I appreciate their willingness to serve in these capacities.”

Owens has worked in numerous healthcare positions at Emory since graduating from the university 27 years ago, rising through the ranks to become CEO of two Emory hospitals. In addition to his career, Owens is an active member of the Central Atlanta Progress Board, Georgia Hospital Association Board of Trustees, Midtown Alliance Board, Atlanta Heart Walk Board and a member of the Atlanta Rotary Club.

“It is an honor to be nominated to serve on the Executive Committee of the Georgia Alliance of Community Hospitals,” said Owens. “Being able to work with such talented leaders across the great state of Georgia to improve lives and provide hope for the communities that we all serve is a great privilege. I look forward to charting a vision with my colleagues that will improve healthcare for all Georgians.”

Craven became president and CEO of Archbold Medical Center in August 2020. He came to Thomasville from Buffalo, N.Y., where he was the president of a health system that ran several hospitals in Western New York State. Though a native of Winnipeg, Canada, and a graduate of the University of Manitoba, he’s not new to the South, having served as leader of a health system in Florence, S.C., from 2010-16.

I’m excited to serve on the board for the Georgia Alliance of Community Hospitals and in that role work together with hospital leaders from across the state to improve the health and well-being of  our communities,” Craven said.

The Hospital Authority of Lowndes County and Valdosta named Dean as CEO of South Georgia Medical Center in August 2019. The Dothan, Ala., native came to Valdosta after a stint as CEO of the Troy Regional Medical Center. He spent 33 years at the Southeast Alabama Medical Center in his hometown, finishing out his time there as vice president for operations.

“I am pleased to be nominated to serve as a member of the Board of Directors for the Georgia Alliance of Community Hospitals,” said Dean. “Georgia Hospitals and Health systems share in a common goal of serving the health and wellness needs of Georgians across the state. The GACH serves a vital role in promoting this very important mission.”

For a 12th consecutive year, The Blood and Marrow Transplant (BMT) Program at Northside Hospital has been recognized as having among the very best survival outcomes in the United States for bone marrow transplants.

The data were provided by the Centers for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research (CIBMTR) in their Final 2020 Transplant Center Survival Report, which tabulated patient survival following transplantation at 172 adult and pediatric transplant centers in the U.S.

Patients who received their first allogeneic transplant between January 1, 2016 and December 31, 2018 using unrelated or related donors and who had reported follow-up were analyzed. Each center’s survival was compared to average national survival data and then statistically designated as either superior to, matching or inferior to expectations.

The one-year survival of patients transplanted at Northside was 80.8%. Northside is the only center in Georgia to achieve outcomes statistically superior to expectations and is one of only 17 centers in the U.S. to achieve this status; it also is the only center in the U.S. to achieve superior outcomes for the last 12 consecutive annual reporting cycles.

“This unmatched result of 12 consecutive years of survival outcomes that exceed expectations on the national standardized comparison of transplant centers is an astonishing achievement for Northside Hospital and for Georgia, and is an indication that patients receive the very best transplant care here,” said Dr Asad Bashey, director of clinical research for The BMT Program at Northside Hospital.

“The BMT Program at Northside Hospital is the largest allogeneic transplant center in Georgia,” added Dr. Bashey. “However, success is not just a result of our size, but of the level of expertise of our clinical teams, our dedicated state-of-the-art facilities, and the innovative policies and procedures at our center that are focused singularly at providing the very best results possible following transplantation.”

Patient-focused care, innovative treatments and clinical research utilizing cutting-edge treatments that are not generally available are major components of The BMT Program at Northside Hospital. The BMT Program offers chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy and other immunotherapy treatments, including novel clinical research trials, and recently began studying an investigational treatment that uses convalescent plasma in patients currently fighting COVID-19. Northside also has pioneered the use of outpatient management even for the most complex transplant procedures and the safe use of alternative donors when conventional donors may not be available.

Learn more about The Blood and Marrow Transplant Program at Northside Hospital.

The Birthplace at South Georgia Medical Center recently installed 32 live-streaming video cameras to keep parents and family members connected to their newborns. The cameras, located across various departments including Labor and Delivery, Nursery, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Surgery and select Post Partum rooms, are part of a platform known as AngelEye Health.

AngelEye includes advanced camera technology, a Patient Update App that allows clinicians to send text, photo and recorded video, and an Online Education Resource to ensure a successful transition home. 

This is especially beneficial for parents with babies in the NICU. Leaving a newborn at the hospital can be very challenging for working parents and remote families. Virtual care technology can make a big difference in allowing parents 24/7 access to their newborn ensuring more effective collaboration between care teams and families. 

“Parents tell us that this is the next best thing to being there and really reduces anxiety as they can check in whenever they want,” says Peggy Knight, RN, Director of Women’s and Infants Services. 

Using the camera technology, parents and other family members can log on through a secure network with a personal password so they can see their baby at any time on their phone, computer, or tablet.

AngelEye was designed by clinicians to improve the efficiency of critical care workflows, resulting in improved communication and collaboration between families and care teams.  The innovative system delivers on the promise of family-centered care.

SGMC is one of only three hospitals in Georgia to offer Angel Eye Health. SGMC’s Birthplace has the region’s only Level IIB Neonatal Intensive Care Unit with two neonatologists and the area’s only OB hospitalist program and OB emergency department. SGMC is committed to women’s health throughout the region and is excited to deploy the latest technology and continue developing cutting edge programs for women and infants. 

For more information, visit sgmc.org.

Hamilton Medical Center recently earned the CNOR® Strong designation from the Competency & Credentialing Institute (CCI). The Certified Perioperative Nurse (CNOR) credential is the only accredited certification for perioperative registered nurses. Earning the CNOR is a mark of distinction and demonstrates a commitment to upholding the highest standards in patient safety.

The CNOR Strong designation is awarded annually to facilities that achieve at least a 50 percent certification rate in their eligible perioperative nursing staff and consistently recognize and reward nurses who become certified perioperative nurse (CNOR) certified or complete recertification.

The CNOR certification program is for perioperative nurses interested in improving and validating their knowledge and skills and providing the highest quality care to their patients. Certification also recognizes a nurse’s commitment to professional development. It is an objective, measurable way of acknowledging the achievement of specialty knowledge beyond basic nursing preparation and RN licensure.

Research shows that nurses who earn the CNOR credential have greater confidence in their clinical practice. Thus, a team of certified nurses who have mastered the standards of perioperative practice provides even more empowerment, further advancing a culture of professionalism and promoting improved patient outcomes. This strength in numbers is why CCI launched the CNOR Strong program; to recognize those facilities committed to making a difference for patients both inside and outside of the operating room.

“Patient safety and positive surgical outcomes are very important to Hamilton,” said Kimberly Jones, RN, MSN, CNOR, Surgical Services educator. “Supporting nurses to exceed expectations and achieve perioperative nursing certification shows Hamilton’s commitment to these core values.”

The Competency & Credentialing Institute (CCI) has been the leader in perioperative certification for more than 40 years, certifying over 40,000 nurses internationally. An industry leader in nursing competency assessment, CCI is the credentialing body for the CNOR, Certified Surgical Services Manager (CSSM), and Certified Perioperative CNS (CNS-CP) credentials.

###

St. Mary’s Cardiac and Vascular Services Laboratory has achieved accreditation from the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC) on Echocardiography for procedures that use sound waves to detect and diagnose numerous heart conditions. With this accreditation, St. Mary’s becomes one of only a handful of providers in Georgia accredited for adult Transesophageal Echo (TEE) procedures.

“This accreditation is a huge achievement,” said echo lead technologist Jennifer Helton. “The standards for quality, training and equipment set by the IAC are very high and the process to earn accreditation is rigorous. I’m extremely proud of our colleagues and medical staff for their dedication to providing our patients with top quality care.”

Echocardiography – often known as “echo” – is used to assess the heart and surrounding blood vessels, using painless sound waves and the echoes they create instead of radiation. It can detect heart disease or signs of serious heart conditions. St. Mary’s equipment uses 3D Doppler technology that provides vital information about the motion of heart muscle and blood flow. Among the many capabilities of echo are measuring how well heart muscle contracts to pump blood, how well the heart’s valves work, and how well blood flows into and out of the heart.

“There are many factors that contribute to an accurate diagnosis based on echocardiography,” the IAC says. “The training and experience of the sonographer performing the procedure, the type of equipment used, and the quality assessment metrics each facility is required to measure all contribute to a positive patient outcome. IAC accreditation is a ‘seal of approval’ that patients can rely on as an indicator of consistent quality care and a dedication to continuous improvement.”

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, even during the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the American Heart Association, nearly 800,000 Americans die each year from cardiovascular disease, roughly one person every 40 seconds.

St. Mary’s accreditation specifically is for adult transthoracic and transesophageal procedures.

Transthoracic procedures send sound waves and receive their echoes through a handheld transducer that can be moved over the surface of the chest.

Transesophageal procedures also use sound waves and their echoes, but the transducer is positioned inside the esophagus, the tube that connects the mouth to the stomach, under moderate sedation. The advantage of transesophageal procedures is that the esophagus lies close to the heart and there is no interference from the bones of the chest and back. These factors allow for improved diagnostic accuracy with better visualization of the heart valves.

“Echo is an invaluable tool in assessing patients for heart tissue damage, valve disorders and other issues that compromise cardiac function,” said Erick Avelar, St. Mary’s medical director of advanced cardiac imaging. “I am so proud of our Cardiac and Vascular Services team for achieving continued accreditation in transthoracic echo and our first accreditation for transesophageal echo.”

About IAC

The IAC is a nonprofit organization in operation to evaluate and accredit facilities that provide diagnostic imaging and intervention-based procedures, thus improving the quality of patient care provided in private offices, clinics and hospitals where such services are performed. The IAC provides accreditation programs for vascular testing, echocardiography, nuclear/PET, MRI, diagnostic CT, dental CT, carotid stenting, vein treatment and management, cardiac electrophysiology and cardiovascular catheterization. The IAC programs for accreditation are dedicated to ensuring quality patient care and promoting health care and all support one common mission: Improving health care through accreditation®. Committed to its mission through a rigorous peer review process, the IAC has granted accreditation to more than 14,000 sites since its inception in 1991. To learn more about IAC, visit intersocietal.org.

About St. Mary’s

St. Mary’s Health Care System, a member of Trinity Health, is a faith-based, not-for-profit health care ministry whose mission is to be a compassionate and transforming healing presence in the communities it serves. St. Mary’s puts special focus on neurosciences, cardiac care, orthopedics, general medicine, general surgery, women’s and children’s health, and care for older adults. St. Mary’s includes hospitals in Athens, Lavonia and Greensboro, as well as a multi-practice medical group, a retirement community, outpatient care facilities, graduate medical education, and a region-wide home health care/hospice service. St. Mary’s Hospital in Athens is a certified chest pain center, a gold-plus hospital for stroke care, and has been named Georgia’s Large Hospital of the Year multiple times. For more information, visit St. Mary’s website at www.stmaryshealthcaresystem.org.

Carrollton vaccination event draws almost 1,500 senior adults

Tanner Health System is continuing to expand the availability of COVID-19 vaccine in accord with state guidelines, topping 7,000 doses administered.

This week, the health system held second-dose vaccine clinics for its healthcare workers, as well as a massive first-dose vaccination event for area adults age 65 and older.

Tanner administered 2,095 doses of vaccine this week, including 1,486 first-round doses at an event at Tabernacle Baptist Church in Carrollton for those age 65 and older. The health system has administered 7,063 doses of vaccine so far.

The health system has been providing vaccinations since receiving the first doses in late December. Tanner first administered the vaccine to front-line healthcare workers and has since expanded vaccination to area residents age 65 and older, per Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) guidelines.

Tanner is receiving both the vaccines that have received emergency use authorization from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), from biotech firms Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech. Both vaccines require two doses to achieve 95% effectiveness.

As patients receive their first dose of vaccine, they are provided with an appointment for their second dose.

The health system has also established an online form for patients and caregivers to provide their information to be signed up for vital COVID-19 information, including upcoming vaccination clinics. The site is at tanner.org/shotsignup.

More information about Tanner’s COVID-19 vaccination efforts can be found at tanner.org/vaccine.

The Birthplace at South Georgia Medical Center recently upgraded its fleet of birthing beds to bring a new level of comfort and efficiency to the labor experience. The investment includes new patient beds, suitable for labor, delivery, recovery and post partum, which include many features that make the process easier for both mothers and their providers. 

“This is just one of many upgrades the Birthplace has undergone lately to become the region’s destination for child birth,” says SGMC Director of Women’s and Children’s Services Peggy Knight. Also arriving at SGMC this month will be 30 new bassinets.

SGMC recently introduced advanced wireless technology for monitoring that provides mothers the freedom to safely move around during the labor process. Additionally, the facility will complete installation of AngelEye technology next week. This is a new secure, video live stream app that allows families to view their baby remotely. 

SGMC’s Birthplace has the region’s only Level IIB Neonatal Intensive Care Unit with two neonatologists and the area’s only OB hospitalist program and OB emergency department. SGMC is committed to women’s health throughout the region and is excited to deploy the latest technology and continue developing cutting edge programs for women and infants. 

For more information, visit sgmc.org.

The patient was only 68 years old, but a stroke ended her life. As a registered organ donor, her passing was not in vain. Her generosity, and the efforts of Southeast Georgia Health System professionals, gave three people the gift of life. One of her kidneys was transplanted into a fellow Georgian, a mother of two. A 60-year-old man received her other kidney, and the third patient received a liver transplant. The donor’s heart was recovered for medical research and education purposes. This donor gave three people another chance, but one organ and tissue donor has the potential to save as many as 75 lives.

This life-changing story happened with help from the Health System and LifeLink^® of Georgia, a non-profit organization responsible for the recovery of organs and tissue for transplantation. “Without the support and hard work of your physicians, nurses and other medical staff, the donation would not have been possible, but it all began with the patient’s true generosity and concern for others,” says Dustin T. Diggs, FACHE, Senior Vice President and executive director for LifeLink of Georgia.

The Health System encourages all Georgians to join their state’s organ and tissue donor registry. It takes just five minutes to register and the need is urgent. Every day, 20 people run out of time waiting for a transplant, according to the Health Resources & Services Administration. More than 108,000 people in the United States need an organ transplant; more than 4,600 of them live in Georgia.

“Thousands of people are alive or living better lives today, thanks to an organ or tissue transplant,” says Jan Jones, R.N., BSN, director, Patient Care Services at the Health System. “Without selfless organ donors, thousands of people – many who live among us – will die. During this pandemic when so many of us feel powerless, becoming a donor gives us the power to save lives.”

Jones says that while most donations occur after the donor’s death, some organs and tissues can be donated while the donor is alive. “Four out of every ten organ transplants are from a living donor. Several programs exist solely to support the physical health and emotional health of living donors because it is such an important component of organ donation,” Jones says.

Georgians can join the state’s organ and tissue donor registry in several ways:

• Visit www.DonateLifeGeorgia.
• Say yes to organ and tissue donation when you obtain or renew your driver license or identification card at a local driver license office, or when obtaining a hunting/fishing license through the Department of Natural Resources website.
• Call Donate Life Georgia directly at 1-866-57-SHARE (1-866-577-4273) and request a registry card.

If you have questions about organ and tissue donation, call LifeLink of Georgia at 1-800-544-6667 or visit www.LifeLinkFoundation.org.

About Southeast Georgia Health System
Southeast Georgia Health System is a not-for-profit health system comprised of two acute care hospitals, two long term care facilities, two comprehensive Cancer Care Centers and multiple specialty care centers, including orthopaedic and spine care, joint replacement, breast care, maternity, outpatient rehabilitation, sleep management and wound care. The Brunswick Campus Cancer Care Center is accredited by the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer and offers the only CyberKnife^® M6 with MLC technology in Georgia. Additionally, the Southeast Georgia Physician Associates medical group includes more than 140 providers working in 20 different medical specialties at more than 50 locations. The Health System is part of Coastal Community Health, a regional affiliation between Baptist Health and Southeast Georgia Health System forming a highly integrated hospital network focused on significant initiatives designed to enhance the quality and value of care provided to our contiguous communities. For more information, visit sghs.org.

About LifeLink of Georgia: LifeLink of Georgia, which facilitates donation after death, is the federally designated, independent, non-profit organ and tissue recovery organization dedicated to serving patients in need of transplant therapy and their families. LifeLink collaborates with hospitals, medical professionals, other agencies (such as medical examiners and law enforcement) and the public to increase awareness of the growing need for organ and tissue donation. LifeLink medical professionals are on call 24 hours daily, serving a population over 10 million and 197 hospitals throughout Georgia and two South Carolina counties including four transplant centers. Individuals who wish to become a donor are encouraged to register on Georgia’s organ, tissue and eye donor registry so that their decision can be carried out in the event donation is possible, and to relieve their family of the burden of making that decision in the midst of their grief after the loss of a loved one.

###

“Peace of mind” and “thankful.” Words given by Wayne Memorial Hospital Employee Janet Keith when describing her reaction to receiving her second dose of the Moderna Covid-19 vaccine. She adds that she is “praying it is available to all who want to get the vaccine soon.” Keith says, “We need 2021 to start being Covid-free as everyone needs ‘peace of mind’ regarding Covid-19.”

Angie Jones, Assistant Chief Nursing Officer for the hospital, remarked how “everyone was pretty excited today about getting the second shot. We’re giving 100 vaccines today and will move forward with the remaining shots for our first responders and staff in the future. The goal is to get as many people vaccinated as quickly as possible.”

Hospital CEO Joe Ierardi spoke of the importance of coordination and teamwork in getting the vaccine to the hospital and properly distributed, referencing a plan the staff had in place for immediate implementation upon receipt. He shared that, in fact, vaccines were being administered within two hours of receipt last month during the first round of shots. Ierardi added, “For those that want this vaccine, it gives them a sense of relief, confidence and peace of mind. It gives them another added layer of protection against this disease.”

This second shot is being given in the right arm, which is different from the first shot, as the hospital gave the initial injections in the left arm. The hospital reminds people to continue to utilize the “Three Ws” – washing hands often, wearing masks when appropriate and watching their distance with others.

Wayne Memorial Hospital, whose mission is to provide high quality health care services to all patients, built a state-of-the-art facility in 2007. It is the third largest employer in Wayne County with 500 employees, 84 beds and is a three-time winner of the Georgia Alliance of Community Hospitals Small Hospital of the Year Award.

####