“If you build it, they will come.” Most everyone is familiar with this takeoff of the phrase used in the 1989 film Field of Dreams, starring Kevin Costner. And most likely, one has also heard of the nursing shortage countrywide. Reasons for that shortage vary from an aging Baby Boomer population (including nurses nearing retirement) to advancements in medicine lengthening life, resulting in greater care needed overall.

Director of Hospital Education Rosa Brown shares, “According to the latest United States Registered Nurse Workforce Report Card and Shortages Forecast, Georgia will need an additional 32,868 nurses by 2030.” What does that mean locally? Colleges and hospitals are seeing those numbers and collaborating to provide educational, clinical experiences to meet that challenge. In Jesup, Coastal Pines Technical College (CPTC) responded by implementing in 2018 an Associate Degree of Nursing (ADN) program. The ADN program will complete its final phase of the accreditation process with the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing in 2021.

Recently in Jesup, CPTC brought their first group of students in the Associate Degree of Nursing program to Wayne Memorial for a presentation. With their instructors, 33 students attended a brief orientation of the current nursing opportunities within the organization and were given a tour of the facility. Welcomed by the Administrative Team, clinical managers and directors, each of the associates provided an overview of their work areas. This class of aspiring nurses graduates in May 2021.

“Wayne Memorial is a clinical training site for approximately 225-250 students in various fields including nursing, respiratory therapy, radiology and laboratory,” Brown said. “Most of the students are coming to us from CPTC. We also serve as a preceptorship site for other surrounding colleges for the final semester of Nursing School. We wish all of these students a wonderful year and invite them to take a closer look at Wayne Memorial in the future.”

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.

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Due to the success of preventive measures to slow the spread of COVID-19 in our region, all hospitals, outpatient centers and physician offices in the St. Mary’s system are taking steps to safely accommodate ongoing patient needs, including elective surgeries, tests and procedures, and patient visitation.

“We are prepared so that our patients are protected,” said President and CEO Montez Carter. “We have adequate personal protective equipment and are taking a phased approach to resuming services. As we do so, the safety of our patients, colleagues, providers, and community is our top priority.”

Carter said the decision to resume services is based on the reality that many patients need care that has been postponed. “We want patients to have confidence to not delay care they need and certainly don’t want them to wait until their disease progresses to the point of a crisis state,” he said.

“At the same time, we realize there are some who want to continue to postpone their procedures for the time being. We urge them to talk with their doctor to assess their individual needs and how long it is safe for them to postpone care. We are committed to providing a safe environment for those who choose to move forward with their procedure.”

Similarly, St. Mary’s is now allowing limited visitation for inpatients who do not have COVID-19. Under the new policy, most inpatients may have one adult patient per day between the hours of 2-6 p.m., seven days a week. Visitation for COVID patients may be permitted in certain circumstances if approved by the clinical team, and other exceptions are possible for patients delivering a baby, nearing the end of life, or with cognitive deficits. All visitors will be screened for signs of illness, including a fever, before being allowed to visit.

When in-person visitation is not possible, St. Mary’s Chaplains can assist in setting up virtual visits with patients, Carter noted.

“Virtual patient visitation is another way that we are using telehealth technology to promote healing and connectivity during this difficult time,” he said. “It has also become very popular with our Medical Group patients, who can use it to have virtual visits with their provider for sick care, wellness check-ups and chronic condition management without having to go to the office.”

All St. Mary’s facilities have implemented extensive measures to protect the safety of patients, colleagues and providers. Key measures include:

• Screening everyone who enters a St. Mary’s facility for signs of illness, including fever.
• Requiring all colleagues, providers, vendors and visitors to wear a mask at all times while in the building.
• Requiring inpatients to wear a mask anytime they leave their room and when staff are present.
• Creating COVID-free zones, which are areas where staff provide care only for people not known to have COVID-19 symptoms.
• Facilitating rapid testing of patients with symptoms and those whose surgical procedure requires an overnight stay.
• Continuing to clean and sanitize with increased frequency, paying special attention to surfaces that are frequently touched.
• Continuing to follow the latest guidance from the CDC, Georgia Department of Public Health, and other state and federal authorities.

In addition, St. Mary’s Medical Group has implemented precautions to protect patients, staff and providers at its medical practice offices throughout Northeast Georgia.

“Safety is the top priority in our practices, too,” said Brandt Halbach, director of physician services. “We screen patients for fever and other symptoms as they enter our offices. We ask most patients to wait in their car and then escort them directly to their exam room. If that’s not possible, we have set up our waiting areas to provide the recommended social distancing.”

Halbach said St. Mary’s Medical Group staff and providers wear masks at all times, have additional PPE available when needed, and sanitize furniture, equipment and rooms regularly.

“We also ask patients to wear a mask and will provide them with a mask if they don’t have one,” he said. “Further, we encourage our patients – especially those who are most vulnerable – to take advantage of our telehealth visits whenever possible.”

Carter urged people in the community to continue practicing preventive measures.

“Local or regional flare-ups remain a real possibility and can happen quickly,” he said. “We urge everyone to continue taking the precautions recommended by the CDC: maintain social distance of 6 feet or more, wear a mask over your mouth and nose in public, avoid gatherings, wash or sanitize your hands often, and if you develop symptoms, stay home and call your doctor.”

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When guests enter Peeples Cancer Institute (PCI), they are welcomed by a greeter who is equipped to answer questions and escort them where needed. The institute has a spacious lobby that was specifically designed to provide a calm, relaxing atmosphere.

“First impressions are important and our intent is to clearly convey confidence, tranquility and healing,” says Ernie Elemento, vice president.

The 46,000-square-foot facility opened in January. Accredited by the Commission on Cancer (CoC), the institute centralizes patient-centered care and outpatient cancer services in one convenient location.

Patient experience is a significant focus of the institute.

“Every aspect of Peeples Cancer Institute is focused on the needs of our patients and families so that we provide an outstanding patient experience and the best clinical outcomes,” says Jeff Myers, president and CEO of Hamilton Health Care System. “Our goal is to foster collaboration, communication and education among physicians and our medical teams to advance and enhance our care for patients. They are our number one priority.”

Expert Care

Eric Turner, MD (medical director) and Qin Zhang, MD, recently joined PCI. Both are board-certified medical oncologists and specialize in adult cancer and hematology disorders. They join Lisa Duhaime, MD, and Freda Hoffman, APRN, on the medical oncology side. Arif Ali, MD, and Nick Galanopoulus, MD, are both board certified and provide radiation oncology treatment and services.

Surgeons from Hamilton Physician Group – General Surgery all participate in cancer-related surgeries. Surgeons include Richard Fromm, MD; James Gable, MD; Eric Manahan, MD; Steven Paynter, MD; and Rod Rodriguez, MD. Fromm, Manahan, Paynter and Rodriguez are breast cancer specialists.

Other members of the clinical care team include radiologists, pharmacists, clinic nurses, infusion nurses, nurse navigators, radiation therapists, mammography technologists, social workers, researchers, tumor registrars, and other vital staff members.

Under one roof

The goal of integrating all outpatient cancer care services under one roof was the driving force behind the expansion of the oncology program into its newly constructed building. The process was conducted with the needs of the patient, community and staff in mind.

As the planning process for the new cancer institute began, Hamilton’s leadership and staff engaged the community to provide feedback throughout every step of its design. For example, the initial design did not include a physical connection to the main hospital. After hearing the concerns of the focus group, Hamilton’s leadership worked with the city council to close a public road and allow the construction of a walkway physically connecting the new cancer institute to the main hospital.

PCI centralizes all oncology care in one location, further enhancing physician collaboration and quality patient care. With Hamilton Medical Center connected directly to the institute, in-patient care is enhanced by ease of patient transport.

The community feedback is also reflected in the interior design of the new facility. Patients and caregivers, including those who received cancer care elsewhere, provided their input.

“We heard them loud and clear,” says Elemento. “They did not want to sit in an infusion chair for hours receiving chemotherapy while staring at a wall.” Today, patients receiving treatment in one of the 20 semi-private infusion recliners have expansive views of Dalton through floor-to-ceiling windows that provide abundant natural light. Six additional chairs are private, allowing patients privacy if they prefer.

The latest technology

Equipped with a state-of-the-art Varian™ Truebeam™ Linac and 4D CT simulator, the cancer institute offers a variety of radiation therapy treatment modalities, including IMRT, SRS, SBRT, 3D and HDR brachytherapy.

The Women’s Imaging area offers the latest in 3D mammography, stereotactic biopsy and ultrasound.

Looking to the future, the institute is already looking to expand capabilities.

Looking ahead

The institute continues to work on opportunities to provide additional treatments and ways to support patients and family members.

The pharmacy is working toward an accredited specialty pharmacy that would include oral oncolytics, specialty drugs that kill cancer cells.

PCI will soon offer patients access to participate in clinical trials. The PCI employs a research coordinator to enroll patients into clinical trials when appropriate, and the institute’s medical oncologists will provide oversight as principle investigators for all trial patients.

As part of the high-risk genetics program, patients will be followed in a high-risk genetics clinic at PCI and receive additional needed services such as annual breast MRI screening or other imaging and testing when appropriate.

The institute will soon offer genetic screening and genetic counseling services. Patients identified as high-risk are given immediate access to a certified genetic counselor through tele-genetics. The new facility is completely wired and ready for telehealth, and its tele-genetics program is the first step in utilizing these new features.

PCI has been working on increasing its menu of supportive care programs for patients.

“Growing these services allows the program to support patients emotionally, mentally and physically throughout their cancer treatment journey,” says Rita Harris, oncology service line administrator.

A donor’s gift is making it possible for the institute to begin planning an arts and healing program that will bring music and art to its patients and caregivers. A therapy dog visits the infusion center weekly, and the Institute is developing a pet therapy program that will allow therapy dogs to visit with patients throughout the facility, thanks to a gift from Dalton Box. The institute will soon welcome a specialized oncology nutritionist to provide nutrition and wellness counseling and services. All supportive care services at PCI are offered free as part of a cohesive cancer-fighting strategy for patients, from prevention and diagnosis to treatment and survivorship.

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• Gara Edelstein, MSN, RN, NE-BC, System Chief Nursing Officer, Catholic Health Services of Long Island, and Chief Nursing Officer, Good Samaritan Hospital, West Islip, New York

• Kim Richard, MHA, MSN, RN, Chief Nursing Officer, Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center, Hartford, Connecticut

The objective of the Nurse Executive Forum series is to share information concerning the onset, peak, and decline of the pandemic and assist in preparing nurse leaders with operational ideas to help guide them through current and future phases of the pandemic.

Listen to the webinar.

New Program Brings Virtual ICUs to Hospitals in Baldwin, Monroe, Peach Counties

Access to health services is difficult for many Georgians, particularly those in rural areas of the state. Many Georgians have to travel long distances from home to access basic medical services. When the need is critical, accessing the proper level of care can become even more challenging.

Navicent Health understands that accessing appropriate care close to home is an essential need for all Georgians. Over the past seven years, Navicent Health has worked closely with hospitals and hospital authorities in Baldwin, Monroe and Peach Counties to ensure local residents maintain access to local care. Now, through its collaboration with Atrium Health, Navicent Health is bringing intensive care services to those same counties through Atrium Health’s Virtual Critical Care (VCC) platform. Through VCC, intensive care services will be expanded at Navicent Health Baldwin and will be offered at Medical Center of Peach County and Monroe County Hospital for the very first time.

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Navicent Health and Atrium Health anticipated the launch of VCC in central Georgia in 2021.  However, due to the anticipated need of ICU beds for COVID-19 care, the two collaborative partners chose to move forward with the launch.

“Now more than ever, our ability to deliver high-quality healthcare in each community we serve is critical.  Our ability to provide the safest therapies through leading technologies will allow us to fully support the healthcare needs of the region during, and long after, the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Tom Oliver, MD, President of Hospitals and Clinics, Navicent Health.

How Does VCC Work?

Healthcare providers at Medical Center of Peach County, Monroe County Hospital and Navicent Health Baldwin are now able to access real-time critical care support through high definition video and two-way audio. The VCC platform provides instant access 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to more than 80 board certified tele-intensivists, 40 board certified critical care nurses, critical care certified pharmacists and respiratory therapists.

Care providers at the three Georgia hospitals may consult with VCC intensivists to make evidence-based decisions for the benefit of the critically ill patients. The platform’s quick response programming allows the VCC provider to remotely examine the patient, review vital signs and EKG tracings; examine settings on IV pumps and ventilators; and communicate directly with the patient if the patient is able. 

VCC clinicians are also available to consult with local care providers on medication therapies and management, and visually analyze the patient’s response to treatment.

“This additional layer of critical care expertise and real-time commu­nication will allow local bedside clinicians to provide critical care close to home, rather than transferring their patients to larger tertiary hospitals like The Medical Center in Macon. This will not only be a benefit to the patient, who is able to expediently access care, but is also less strain on loved ones who travel to be at the patient’s side. It is the right thing to do for those we serve, and we’re pleased to partner with Atrium Health to bring this service to the region,” said Dr. Ninfa M. Saunders, President and CEO of Navicent Health. “Although the circumstances related to the COVID-19 pandemic were the catalyst for VCC’s early launch, this robust platform unites Navicent Health’s local expert providers with additional resources for the best patient outcomes, close to home.  We look forward to exploring more opportunities to expand access to critical services in other communities.”

In order to launch VCC, a multidisciplinary team of physicians, nurses, information systems specialists and administrators in both Georgia and North Carolina worked closely together to secure access to information systems and design an innovative patient care workflow to ensure the needs of both bedside clinicians and patients are met.

“We appointed VCC medical directors who worked closely with doctors at each hospital to ensure their specific needs were met. Nursing leaders at each hospital also collaborated to ensure VCC is efficient, sustainable and effective in treating patients. VCC has been used at Atrium Health for a number of years, and we were fortunate to have their expertise for seamless implementation in central Georgia,” said Oliver.

To learn more about the VCC platform and view a video showcasing its use, please visit   https://atriumhealth.org/medical-services/specialty-care/other-specialty-care-services/virtual-critical-care

About Navicent Health
Navicent Health, the leading provider of healthcare in central and south Georgia, is committed to its mission of elevating health and wellbeing through compassionate care. Providing more than 1,000 beds and offering care in 53 specialties at more than 50 facilities throughout the region, Navicent Health provides care for healthcare consumers’ through an academic medical center; community, pediatric and rehabilitation hospitals; urgent care centers; physician practices; diagnostic centers; home health; hospice and palliative care; and a life plan community. Navicent Health is dedicated enhancing health and wellness for individuals throughout the region through nationally recognized quality care, community health initiatives and collaborative partnerships. For more information, please visit www.navicenthealth.org.

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Digital health service is designed to increase access to quality health care

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., June 4, 2020 – Telescope Health is bringing its virtual health care services to Georgia through a collaboration with Brunswick, Georgia-based Southeast Georgia Health System to provide COVID-19 testing to residents across the health system’s six-county service area. Telescope Health will also introduce wide-spread serology testing, also known as antibody testing, to residents across Georgia and provide return to work guidance for individuals re-entering the workforce.

“Patients throughout our service areas in Glynn, Camden, Brantley, Charlton, McIntosh and Wayne counties are seeking flexible health care options,” said Michael D. Scherneck, president and CEO of Southeast Georgia Health System. “We are pleased to work in partnership with Telescope Health to expand COVID-19 testing in our community through this virtual service offering to support our mission to provide safe, quality, accessible and cost-effective care to meet the health needs of our residents.”

Telescope Health also offers patients across the state with affordable telehealth services to include live video chats with board-certified physicians for both acute and urgent health care needs:

• Symptoms evaluation (COVID and non-COVID-related)
• Follow-up care
• Medication refills, ePrescribing
• Lab and imaging results discussion
• Appointments to see a health care specialist
• Health care navigation

“Providing quality access to health care is more important than ever and by using Telescope Health, patients not only have access to a physician, but Telescope Health also provides many health care navigation services that patients come to rely on more and more, ” said Matthew Rill, M.D., co-founder and CEO of Telescope Health. “As our communities continue to combat the spread of COVID-19, telehealth is an important asset that can help us flatten the curve, ensure all patients stay up-to-date on their health care visits and return back to work in a responsible manner.”

To access the telehealth platform, patients can download the Telescope Health app or visit www.TelescopeHealth.com. Patients wishing to see a virtual provider for COVID-19-related health care concerns may be eligible for a discount. To learn more about how you can protect yourself, your family and your community from getting and spreading respiratory illnesses like coronavirus 2019, visit cdc.gov.

About Telescope Health

Telescope Health is a mobile health care application that allows users to immediately see a board-certified provider for many urgent and primary care needs. Telescope Health physicians are local to Southeast Georgia and Northeast Florida, and many practice in a Southeast Georgia Health System, Baptist Health or Wolfson Children’s Hospital emergency center. Through virtual appointments and on-demand check-ins, Telescope Health provides both acute care and connected health care navigation to help patients address all types of health care needs.  Telescope Health providers coordinate with local follow up care options and communicate with primary care physicians and specialists to help make sure every patient gets the care they need. For more information about Telescope Health, download the Telescope Health app, or visit telescopehealth.com.

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 orthopedic 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.

BRG’s Mukesh Gangwal and Paul Osborne moderated a discussion with Dr. K. Ranga Krishnan (CEO, Rush University System for Health), Daniel DeBarba Jr. (CFO, Catholic Health Services of Long Island), and Tri MacDonald (president, BRG). In this extract from their COVID-19 Challenges and Rapid Recovery podcast, they discuss COVID-19 governmental funding sources and how health systems will restart operations under a new-normal environment.

On Wednesday, May 27, Gov. Brian Kemp visited Macon-Bibb County to tour the temporary medical unit (TMU) at The Medical Center, Navicent Health. At the request of the Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA), Macon-Bibb County and Navicent Health worked closely with the state to stand up a temporary medical unit in Macon-Bibb County.

“Constructing the TMU was a precautionary measure in the event that extra capacity is needed due to a patient peak in COVID-19 activity. At this time, The Medical Center has ample capacity to care for all patients, including those with COVID-19, but the TMU provides additional resources if needed. As a regional tertiary teaching hospital, The Medical Center Navicent Health must stand ready to take all patients, regardless of their ability to pay, from over 55 counties in central and south Georgia,” said Dr. Ninfa M. Saunders, President and CEO of Navicent Health.

The 24-bed TMU will provide patients with the same level of care they would expect to find within the hospital. Patients in need of care should report to the hospital, and a triage team will determine which patients are directed to the TMU based on the patient’s need and hospital volumes at the time. The TMU, staffed by Jackson Health and supported by Navicent Health clinicians, will be used solely to care for patients with confirmed or suspected cases of COVID-19.

On his visit, Kemp toured the TMU and praised hospital and county officials for the measures they have taken to protect Georgians from the virus. He also reminded Georgians to continue to take proper precautions as the state begins its limited reopening, encouraging citizens to act responsibly by social distancing, masking, and using proper hand sanitization. To view Gov. Kemp’s comments following his tour, please click here.  

The TMU was constructed in partnership between number of agencies, including GEMA, Macon-Bibb County Emergency Management Agency, BMarko Structures, Salas O’Brien Engineers, DES Engineering, Choate Construction, CertainTeed Ceilings and Navicent Health.

As the state of Georgia has begun its limited, phased reopening process, Navicent Health has begun to see a return to pre-COVID patient volumes across its health system. In order to ensure the safety of each person seeking care at Navicent Health, the health system has taken measures to ensure each of its hospitals, clinics and physician practices are COVID Safe. Click here to learn more about Navicent Health’s COVID Safe initiative.

In the attached photo, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp speaks at The Medical Center, Navicent Health on Wednesday, May 27. Also pictured is Navicent Health President and CEO Dr. Ninfa M. Saunders. Gov. Kemp was in town to tour the temporary medical unit placed at The Medical Center, Navicent Health.

About Navicent Health
Navicent Health, the leading provider of healthcare in central and south Georgia, is committed to its mission of elevating health and wellbeing through compassionate care. Providing more than 1,000 beds and offering care in 53 specialties at more than 50 facilities throughout the region, Navicent Health provides care for healthcare consumers’ through an academic medical center; community, pediatric and rehabilitation hospitals; urgent care centers; physician practices; diagnostic centers; home health; hospice and palliative care; and a life plan community. Navicent Health is dedicated enhancing health and wellness for individuals throughout the region through nationally-recognized quality care, community health initiatives and collaborative partnerships. For more information, please visit www.navicenthealth.org.

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Greg and Jeri Mansur were away for a little bit of a staycation when a stroke struck.

Greg was out buying some medicine for Jeri’s headache. They exchanged a few texts. But, when he returned to the hotel, he found Jeri, her face against the ground.

“He came back, and he saw me on the floor,” Jeri, now 63, said.

She couldn’t stand. She couldn’t give her husband any answers. She wasn’t sure how she ended up on the floor and couldn’t figure out why she wasn’t able to get up. Greg knew something was wrong.

In the 11 minutes between the last text Greg exchanged with his wife and the time he called 911, Greg realized Jeri had suffered a stroke. He was able to tell the operator on the phone, and Jeri was taken to Northeast Georgia Medical Center (NGMC) in Gainesville, the area’s designated primary stroke center, for rapid treatment. The staff at NGMC were prepared for Jeri’s arrival and able to administer alteplase, a blood clot-busting drug.

When a stroke occurs, time is everything.

“Her arm, her whole left side, was gone,” Greg said. “She had no movement, no feeling, no strength, no anything. She was looking the wrong way when I called her, and I said, ‘Baby, something’s wrong.’ So, I called 911 right away.”

Jeri is an otherwise healthy person. She’s likely healthier than most her age – or even younger. She’s a martial artist with a third-degree black belt and a personal trainer. Greg said she’s worked out at least five days a week, every week, since her 20s. She doesn’t have a history of strokes in her family.

“I would have never thought in a million years that I’d have a stroke,” Jeri said. “I’ve been healthy all my life.”

But a stroke can affect anybody.

“That’s the scary thing about strokes,” said Holley Adams, stroke coordinator at NGMC Gainesville. “They can happen to anyone at any time. And, when a stroke does occur, it’s important to get help fast — like Greg was able to do for Jeri.”

When Jeri suffered her stroke in July 2019, she was rushed to NGMC. The quick assessment she received there helped save Jeri from any long-term deficits she may have faced.

“It’s important to always seek care immediately if you’re experiencing symptoms of a stroke, even during this COVID-19 pandemic,” Adams said. “The main thing we want everyone to do is call 911, no matter what. When you arrive at NGMC, we’re prepared to evaluate you quickly and administer alteplase if you’re eligible. And, if we need to send you somewhere else for further treatment, we’re prepared to do that, too.”

Before Greg was able to get to NGMC to be with his wife, nurses at the areas designated primary stroke center had a plan in place.

“By the time I got there, they had already figured out that Jeri had a clot in her brain, and she needed to get down to (Grady Memorial Hospital),” Greg said. “Their speediness in addressing the issue was certainly very good.”

Jeri was flown to Grady in Atlanta for surgery, and she is now almost fully recovered.

“I don’t have any paralysis,” Jeri said. “But what I’ve learned since the stroke is that time is of the essence.”

May is National Stroke Awareness Month, and this is Jeri’s first year observing as a stroke survivor. She didn’t know much about strokes around this time last year, but now she does.

“You could say he’s my hero,” Jeri said of her husband. “Because of the way he acted so quickly in getting me help, whenever I’m in a situation where somebody might be having a stroke, I’ll do my very best to do what he did for me — get help as quick as possible. I’m very thankful.”

For more information about stroke care and to learn how one of NGMC’s designated stroke centers in Barrow, Braselton or Gainesville can help, visit nghs.com/stroke-care.

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HEART program allows Georgians to direct their state income tax to save local healthcare access

Even as they continue to heroically respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, community hospitals are facing critical financial distress that puts their futures in doubt. They need help to ensure our critical healthcare infrastructure survives to serve their region’s ongoing healthcare needs long after we’ve defeated COVID – and they can do it at no costs to themselves.

“Rural hospitals are major economic engines for their communities and they’re experiencing devastating decreases of revenue due to COVID-19. Without financial help, it will be tough for some hospitals to keep the doors open,” said Monty Veazey. “This pandemic has brought the needs of rural hospital into immediate focus, and we need members of the community to rally behind our hospitals.”

The HEART (Helping Enhance Access to Rural Treatment) hospital tax credit program benefits hospitals struggling to stay open by allowing taxpayers to direct their state income tax obligations to the rural hospital of their choice. The loss of rural hospitals decreases access to healthcare, delays treatment during emergencies and cripples economic development.

“Local communities depend on community hospitals, and healthcare providers have stepped up to meet higher demand for high-quality care. Ensuring patients have access to high-quality care is our mission and our passion, and we’ll do everything in our power to keep those services available – and save lives. I encourage everyone who is able to reach out to your local hospitals to see what needs they may have.”

As they’ve transitioned to respond to COVID, hospitals across the state have burned through their reserves as a result of new costs and postponed elective surgeries. As hospitals work to slow the spread of coronavirus, thousands of hospital beds remain empty.

“At this moment, communities need their hospitals more than ever,” Monty said, “and hospitals need their communities more than ever.”

Donations to the HEART program go toward the hospital of the donor’s choice. To donate to the Georgia HEART program, complete a short application at www.georgiaheart.org.