South Georgia Medical Center recently received a 4-star overall quality rating from the US Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). The rating can be found on the website, www.medicare.gov/hospitalcompare.
“The star ratings provide a glimpse into a hospital’s quality-of-care based on the sum of seven individual measures of hospital performance set by CMS,” explained Bill Forbes, SGMC Chief Executive Officer. “By going to the CMS website, persons can compare hospital ratings for the treatments of common conditions, such as heart attacks or pneumonia, rates of infection and mortality.”
According to Chief Medical Officer Brian Dawson, MD, SGMC is focused on delivering safe, high-quality care. “A 4-star rating is a testament to the dedication of our physicians, nurses, clinical staff members, and every employee who comes into contact with a patient.”
Dr. Dawson added that excellence in healthcare takes constant work.
“At SGMC, unit-based councils are focusing on quality and patient experience on every floor,” Dawson said. “Staff are investigating new products and practices to lower infection rates. And, our efforts are not stopping at the door. We are doing a better job of sending discharged patients home with better instructions for follow-up care. All of these efforts and more, help to ensure the best patient experience possible.”
Hospitals have been pioneers in quality measurement because patients and families need information to make good healthcare decisions. Patients seeking elective healthcare procedures are encouraged to discuss hospitalization with their doctor.
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Southeast Georgia Health System-Brunswick Campus Receives Prestigious International Award 2:33 pmThere’s nothing like a new baby to bring out the worrier in a first-time mom. She’s got so many choices to make, and it’s normal for her to question whether she’s making the right decisions.
But she can feel confident in the decision to breastfeed. Breast milk helps babies develop stronger immune systems and reduces their risk of allergies, asthma, diabetes, diarrhea, ear infections, obesity and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). It also lowers the mother’s risk of breast and ovarian cancer, diabetes, heart disease and osteoporosis.
Recently, Baby-Friendly USA, Inc. announced that the Southeast Georgia Health System Brunswick Campus has received prestigious international recognition as a Designated Baby-Friendly hospital.
Baby-Friendly USA, Inc. is the U.S. authority for the implementation of the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative, a global program sponsored by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). The initiative encourages and recognizes hospitals and birthing centers that offer an optimal level of care for breastfeeding mothers and their babies. Based on the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding, this prestigious international award recognizes hospitals and birth facilities that offer breastfeeding mothers the information, confidence, and skills needed to successfully initiate and continue breastfeeding their babies.
There are more than 20,000 designated Baby-Friendly hospitals and birth centers worldwide. Currently there are 562 active Baby-Friendly hospitals and birth centers in the United States. The “Baby-Friendly” designation is given after a rigorous on-site survey is completed. The award is maintained by continuing to practice the Ten Steps as demonstrated by quality processes.
“Breastfeeding rates are increasing nationwide with more than 80 percent of mothers choosing to breastfeed,” states Lyn Hrivnak, BSN, IBCLC, lactation consultant, Southeast Georgia Health System. “At Southeast Georgia Health System, we help mothers get off to the very best start by providing breastfeeding education before their baby is born as well as after they’ve delivered. We also offer support throughout their breastfeeding journey so they can meet their goals for feeding their babies.”
Special training for team members
The Health System employs Hrivnak full time to help new mothers become comfortable with breastfeeding. In addition, Baby-Friendly training (step two of the 10 steps) is given to:
“Anywhere our mothers go in the Health System, we want to make sure they are supported,” says Kim Buckley, R.N., BSN, manager of patient care services at the Health System’s Miriam & Hugh Nunnally Maternity Care Center. “If a mother needs help, our team members are trained to get her the support she needs.”
Education for new moms
“Breastfeeding goals are easier to achieve when mothers are well prepared,” says Hrivnak.
The Health System provides pregnant women with educational resources on topics such as the benefits of breastfeeding and how to manage breastfeeding (step three of the 10 steps).
“We provide breastfeeding education early in the pregnancy, so that mothers know how to gather information and resources. When their baby comes, they’re prepared,” explains Buckley. “Once a family is informed, they can make the breastfeeding decision that’s best for them, and we support them no matter how they decide to feed their baby.”
After delivery, Health System team members assist women interested in breastfeeding by:
“Helping mothers breastfeed within one hour of birth is one of the most important steps to successful breastfeeding,” says Hrivnak. “We encourage skin-to-skin contact for moms and babies during the first hour of life because this ‘Golden Hour’ is ideal for bonding. Skin-to-skin helps babies in their transition to life and with learning to breastfeed.”
Support for the family
Education and support don’t end when the family leaves the hospital, which is important, because as baby grows, so does the number of mom’s questions.
The Health System provides support groups (step 10 of the 10 steps) and breastfeeding classes at the Brunswick and Camden campuses. It also works with local government and nonprofit organizations to help pregnant women and new mothers obtain additional support.
Success
More than 80 percent of mothers at Southeast Georgia Health System begin breastfeeding while at the hospital. Prior to the Health System pursuing a Baby-Friendly designation, those numbers were closer to 40 or 50 percent, says Buckley.
Patient reaction to the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding has been positive. Mothers are noticeably better informed and better prepared. “They know what questions to ask and they have an expectation of what they want their breastfeeding experience to be,” says Hrivnak. “They also have an expectation that help will be available. And by participating in the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative, we’re meeting that expectation.”
To learn more about maternity care services offered at Southeast Georgia Health System, please visit sghs.org/maternity or call 912-466-3184. For more information about the national Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative, visit babyfriendlyusa.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, three immediate care centers, five family medicine centers and numerous employed physician practices. The Health System has multiple outpatient specialty care centers, including the only CyberKnife® Program in the region and one of only four in Georgia, and a Cancer Care Center accredited by the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer. For more information, call 855-ASK-SGHS (855-275-7447) or visit sghs.org.
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Beverly Knight Olson Children’s Hospital, Navicent Health Celebrates Grand Opening 2:58 pmThe region’s pediatric patients and their families now now have access to the new, state-of-the-art Beverly Knight Olson Children’s Hospital, Navicent Health.
Following a grand opening celebration on Monday, February 25, the new hospital opened its doors to begin providing care for infants, children and their families. Neonatal Intensive Care Unit patients were transferred to their new unit on the evening of February 25, and the first surgical cases were performed in the new hospital’s operating room on the morning of Tuesday, February 26. The region’s only dedicated pediatric emergency center opened at 7:00 a.m. on Tuesday, February 26 and immediately began treating patients arriving by ambulance and self transport.
In June 2016, amid a climate that has seen a number of hospital closures and limited hospital expansion,
Navicent Health announced its intent to construct a new Children’s Hospital facility, with plans to begin
serving the region’s patients in 2019. With more than 45,000 visits projected annually, the state-of-the-art institution will attract new talent to Macon-Bibb County and serve as an important anchor in the community while contributing to downtown Macon’s transformation and economic development.
“We are delighted to complete this project, and begin serving patients and their families in the new, state-of-the-art Beverly Knight Olson Children’s Hospital, Navicent Health. This hospital promises greater benefits to the children of central and south Georgia through the coordination of multiple pediatric services and specialities provided by caring professionals at the local level,” said Dr. Ninfa M. Saunders, President and CEO of Navicent Health.
Since 1987, the nonprofit Beverly Knight Olson Children’s Hospital, Navicent Health has been committed to enhancing the lives of children through excellence in patient care, research and education. The only dedicated pediatric facility in central Georgia, and one of the most comprehensive in the state, it provides care in general pediatrics, pediatric critical care, neonatal intensive care and outpatient services. The hospital also serves as the primary teaching site for the Department of Pediatrics at the Mercer University School of Medicine.
Due to a growing demand for additional service options, the hospital had outgrown its facility, constructed in 1962 and designed for adult healthcare. Beverly Knight Olson Children’s Hospital has been constructed adjacent to the existing facility, expanding the hospital’s size by 100,000 square feet, providing a total of 160,000 square feet dedicated to pediatric care. The project has been designed with the option to add additional floors in the future to further allow for the expansion of services in a hospital designed to meet the specific needs of ill and injured children.
“With a proven track record of providing excellent pediatric and neonatal care, we no longer had the capacity to meet the region’s demand. We are committed to comprehensive, excellent care delivered by highly trained, board-certified pediatric physicians and clinical staff that will be housed under one roof in our new facility with the focus on our pediatric patient population. This hospital has been designed with children in mind, providing everything from family-centered care to the latest technologies to ensure their care is provided in a warm, welcoming and even fun environment,” said Mitch Rodriguez, MD, business development director for Beverly Knight Olson Children’s Hospital, Navicent Health.
The new 160,000 square-foot children’s hospital will house:
The new Beverly Knight Olson Children’s Hospital, Navicent Health is made possible through philanthropic support.
“Beverly Knight Olson Children’s Hospital, Navicent Health has always relied on philanthropic support, and we are grateful to our donors for their commitment to Georgia’s most fragile children. This new facility has been made possible through the generosity of more than 5,000 donors who contributed over $41 million. Those who have given to the Beverly Knight Olson Children’s Hospital campaign have made an investment not only in the children of today, but for the generations to come. Whether it is a premature infant born at less than one pound or a teenager recovering from an automobile accident, donors make a significant difference in the lives of our precious children. Those we serve are grateful for the community’s continued support of our children’s hospital,” said Ellen Terrell, Chief Development Officer of Navicent Health Foundation.
The capital campaign for the new hospital began with the philanthropic support of Beverly Knight Olson, the hospital’s namesake, and the Knight Foundation.
“My family and I have been pleased to support this wonderful organization for many years, and we invite our community to become a part of the growing legacy for children who have and will continue to depend on the specialized care provided by the Beverly Knight Olson Children’s Hospital, Navicent Health,” said Olson.
The construction of Beverly Knight Olson Children’s Hospital is one of a number of initiatives Navicent Health plans to undertake within the next five years in order to dramatically improve access to high-quality, reasonably-priced care within the region.
In the attached photos:
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 specialities 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 visitwww.navicenthealth.org.
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The Medical Center, Navicent Health Recognized with “Triple Crown” of Heart Care Accreditations 4:57 pmHospital Recognized in areas of Chest Pain, Heart Failure & AFib
The American College of Cardiology (ACC) has recognized The Medical Center, Navicent Health (MCNH) for its demonstrated expertise and commitment in treating patients with heart conditions. MCNH becomes the first hospital in the state to achieve ACC accreditation for three heart care programs, a testament to the world-class cardiac care provided at the Macon hospital.
MCNH has achieved the following ACC designations:
Accreditation is based on rigorous onsite evaluation of the staff’s ability to evaluate, diagnose and treat patients who may be experiencing a heart attack; and to evaluate, diagnose and treat patients with heart failure and/or AFib through pre-hospital care, early stabilization, acute care and transitional care with clinical quality measures.
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 have streamlined their systems from admission to evaluation to diagnosis and treatment all the way through to appropriate post-discharge care and recommendations and assistance in patient lifestyle changes. In addition, they have formal agreements with other facilities that regularly refer heart attack patients to their facility for primary PCI.
Heart failure is a condition where the heart is unable to pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs for blood and oxygen. Hospitals that employ an evidence-based, protocol-driven and systematic approach to managing heart failure have been able to reduce time to treatment, and are able to identify and predict high-risk patients while also reducing length-of-stay and hospital readmissions.
Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is a common arrhythmia where the heartbeat is irregular and often rapid, which can lead to increased risk of stroke, heart failure and other complications. Facilities earning Atrial Fibrillation with EPS Accreditation not only demonstrate management of AFib, but also provide full electrophysiology and surgical services. Hospitals that employ an evidence-based, protocol-driven and systematic approach to managing AFib have been able to reduce time to treatment, better identify and predict high-risk patients, and limit the length-of-stay in the emergency department and the hospital.
“The Medical Center, Navicent Health has demonstrated its commitment to providing Georgians with excellent heart care. ACC Accreditation Services is proud to award The Medical Center, Navicent Health with three accreditations for excellence in heart care,” said Phillip D. Levy, MD, FACC, chair of the ACC Accreditation Management Board.
Hospitals receiving accreditations 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 precise care of patients experiencing the signs and symptoms of a heart attack, heart failure and/or AFib. Facilities that achieve accreditation meet or exceed an array of stringent criteria and have organized a team of doctors, nurses, clinicians, and other administrative staff that earnestly support the efforts leading to better patient education, improved patient outcomes, and more effective and efficient disease control.
“The Medical Center, Navicent Health has been nationally recognized for many years as a leading provider of high quality heart care services. Accreditation from the American College of Cardiology, a Triple Crown if you will, reaffirms that we are providing Georgians – a state where residents are at an increased risk for heart disease and other cardiac conditions – with the nation’s best care, right here, close to home,” said Dr. Ninfa M. Saunders, President and CEO of Navicent Health.
The ACC offers U.S. and international hospitals like MCNH 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, and continued care for heart failure and AFib.
In the attached photo, the Luce Heart Institute 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 visitwww.navicenthealth.org.
About the American College of Cardiology
The American College of Cardiology envisions a world where innovation and knowledge optimize cardiovascular care and outcomes. As the professional home for the entire cardiovascular care team, the mission of the College and its more than 52,000 members is to transform cardiovascular care and to improve heart health. The ACC bestows credentials upon cardiovascular professionals who meet stringent qualifications and leads in the formation of health policy, standards and guidelines. The College also provides professional medical education, disseminates cardiovascular research through its world-renowned JACC Journals, operates national registries to measure and improve care, and offers cardiovascular accreditation to hospitals and institutions. For more, visit acc.org. For more information about ACC Accreditation Services, visit accreditation.acc.org, or call toll-free 1- 877-271-4176.
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Love for the Dogs 1:43 pmNavicent Health, University of Georgia Partner to Provide Pacemakers for Pets
Man’s best friend now has access to a much-needed medical device, thanks to a partnership between The Medical Center, Navicent Health (MCNH) and the University of Georgia’s College of Veterinary Medicine (UGA). The partners’ Pacemaker Donation Program provides heart patients at MCNH the option of donating their used pacemakers to canine heart patients at UGA.
Like humans, dogs are at risk for developing cardiac complications that can interfere with length and quality of life. Knowing that surgeries to address heart problems in dogs can be very expensive, one Navicent Health nurse decided to take action to help dogs in need of cardiac care.
“The similarities between how animals and humans are treated for certain diseases are very strong. When I was studying to become a nurse 20 years ago, I learned that pacemakers for human beings could be utilized in dogs, as well,” said Terri Matula, RN, board certified cardiovascular nurse at MCNH.
At the time, Matula owned a cocker spaniel that suffered from third-degree heart block dysrhythmia. She knew that pacemaker implantation might be a solution to help her dog live a longer and healthier life, but as a student, she did not have the means to pay for the operation. That memory came to Matula’s mind when her husband, Robert Driver, needed to have his own pacemaker upgraded.
“I asked his cardiology team if I could keep the pacemaker after they replaced it and then called the University of Georgia to find out if I could donate the device to the College of Veterinary Medicine,” said Matula.
Matula felt confident that the experts at UGA would be able to make good use of the pacemaker. Her instincts were right. After learning that she could donate her husband’s pacemaker for a dog in need of the device, she presented her idea to the cardiac administration team at MCNH, connecting them with experts from UGA. Her recommendation has launched a thriving collaboration between MCNH and UGA.
“When a patient’s pacemaker is exchanged, upgraded or replaced, the patient is offered the option of donating their used device to the Pacemaker Donation Program. Everyone – our staff and our patients – has been excited to save the lives of animals with reusable devices,” said Beth Mann, RN, MSN, Vice President for Cardiovascular Services and Nursing Strategy, Navicent Health.
Since the inception of the Pacemaker Donation Program in 2018, 41 pacemakers have been donated for patients at UGA. Once the pacemakers are explanted at MCNH, they are sterilized and shipped to UGA. Only the pacemakers of living donors are used for the program. Many of the pacemakers have at least five and a half years of battery life remaining, offering aging dogs the opportunity for many more evening walks and games of fetch. The pacemakers with less battery life are useful as teaching tools in the classroom for UGA’s veterinary students.
“Developing a relationship with Navicent Health and our cardiology service has been a really rewarding
experience. It has been a great example of teamwork and of selflessness and generosity on the part of Navicent Health and its patients,” said Gregg Rapaport, DVM, DACVIM, veterinary cardiologist with UGA.
Any pet owner whose canine receives care from UGA can participate in the pacemaker program. UGA typically implants five to 10 pacemakers into dogs each year, and to date, six dogs have received pacemakers donated by patients at Navicent Health.
According to Dr. Rapaport, the program is an example of the difference one person can make.
”None of this would be possible without Terri Matula and Gordon Thomas, a member of our development team here at UGA. This project demonstrates that with some creativity and a desire to share with others, solutions can be found. Each donated pacemaker that has benefited a person will now have benefited a dog, as well. The same resource will have positively impacted twice as many lives with no downside to anyone, and we can all feel good about that,” said Dr. Rapaport.
Patients with pacemakers in need of replacement who wish to donate to a dog in need may talk with their Navicent Health care team about participating in the Pacemaker Donation Program.
In the attached photo: Cooper, a husky-malamute mix from Athens, Ga. was one of the first to receive a pacemaker through the Navicent Health-University of Georgia Pacemaker Donation Program. His family reports that he is doing well since the placement.
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 visitwww.navicenthealth.org.
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Northside Hospital and Gwinnett Health System cleared to merge in 2019; final approvals granted 8:41 pmNorthside Hospital and Gwinnett Health System (the parent of Gwinnett Medical Center) announced today that they have cleared the final regulatory hurdle toward combining operations.
“We are excited to move forward on the merging of our two health systems,” said Bob Quattrocchi, president and CEO, Northside Hospital. “Leaders from both systems are already meeting to develop a comprehensive integration plan that honors our employees and physicians. This plan ensures that our patients continue to receive quality health care with no disruption of service.”
The merger agreement was approved by the State of Georgia Office of the Attorney General in November 2017. Late last week, the Federal Trade Commission completed its review of the combination and gave its approval to move forward. The two systems now will focus on finalizing patient, operational, and business functions. The combined system is expected to be operational by summer 2019.
“Through the merged entity, Gwinnett County will continue to have access to world-class medical treatment,” said Philip Wolfe, president and CEO of Gwinnett Health System. “Health care is a dynamic industry that requires complex technology, highly skilled medical professionals and exceptional leadership. I’m confident the merger will help sustain our ability to offer leading-edge, compassionate and effective health care close to home for many years to come.”
Northside Hospital and Gwinnett Health System are both driven by quality patient care and satisfaction, strong medical professionals, health care innovation and unparalleled patient access.
Anchored by five hospitals in Sandy Springs, Lawrenceville, Cumming, Canton and Duluth, the new nonprofit health system will also operate additional sites of care including cancer treatment, imaging, surgical, urgent care and other outpatient centers throughout the state. Altogether, the Northside-Gwinnett combined system will have 1,604 inpatient beds, over 250 outpatient locations, 21,000 employees and more than 3,500 physicians on staff.
For regular updates, visit northsidegwinnett.com.
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NORTHEAST GEORGIA HEALTH SYSTEM ANNOUNCES PLANS TO PROVIDE EMERGENCY CARE AND DEVELOP A NEW HOSPITAL IN LUMPKIN COUNTY 6:44 pmDAHLONEGA, Ga. – Today, Northeast Georgia Health System (NGHS) announced plans to offer hospital services at the former home of Chestatee Regional Hospital later this year and begin developing a new replacement hospital along Georgia 400 in Lumpkin County.
“We’re thrilled to share this exciting news, which ensures people in and around Lumpkin County will have local access to the high-quality health care they need for generations to come,” says Carol Burrell, president and CEO of NGHS. “We appreciate the patience of the community as we’ve worked to create solutions that are high-quality, sustainable, and deliver on our mission to improve the health of the community in all we do.”
“This is an answered prayer for those of us who have lived and worked in Lumpkin County for decades,” says Donna Whitfield, MD, a fifth-generation Dahlonega native and internal medicine physician with Northeast Georgia Physicians Group who has practiced in Lumpkin County for 18 years. “The roots of NGHS run deep in this area, which it’s helped care for since Northeast Georgia Medical Center Gainesville opened in 1951, and we know there’s no other organization better suited to start a new era of healthcare in this community.”
The NGHS team has already started working to open an emergency department – along with some inpatient beds, imaging equipment and other services – in July 2019 at the existing building that was once home to Chestatee Regional Hospital. The new hospital facility will be called Northeast Georgia Medical Center Lumpkin, or NGMC Lumpkin for short. Complete emergency services will be provided 24/7/365 by the same group of physicians that care for emergency patients at all Northeast Georgia Medical Center (NGMC) hospitals.
“Our physicians and Lumpkin County EMS already work very closely together, as the majority of emergency trauma, cardiac and stroke patients from the area have been transported to NGMC Gainesville for years,” says Mohak Davé, MD, chief of Emergency Medicine for NGMC. “Now, we look forward to providing excellent emergency care for people in Lumpkin County and surrounding communities – closer to their homes.”
While offering services at the existing hospital site will preserve the Certificate of Need authority to operate a hospital in Lumpkin County and meet the short-term needs of the community, planning has also begun for a new replacement hospital facility to sit on 57 acres NGHS already owns along Georgia 400, near the intersection with Highway 60. The new facility is tentatively scheduled to open in 2022 and expected to provide emergency services, inpatient medical/surgical care, imaging services and a focus on outpatient surgery.
“When we recently interviewed and surveyed people in the Lumpkin County area, the overwhelming majority told us three things – they need an emergency room, they want a new hospital that meets the needs of the community, and they trust and prefer Northeast Georgia Health System to care for them,” says Louis Smith, president of Acute and Post-Acute Operations for NGHS. “We heard them, and we intend to deliver on all three counts.”
The number of beds and operating rooms at the new replacement hospital facility will be determined during the planning process, which will also explore innovative ways to deliver care.
“As the population and needs of this area grow, creating a new healthcare destination presents an opportunity to explore new ideas and expand the way people think about hospitals,” says Dr. Whitfield. “I’m extremely interested in understanding how we can use digital technology, for things like virtual visits, and involve aspects of integrative medicine which include holistic care for the mind and spirit – not just the body.”
As the transition from the existing hospital facility to the new hospital facility is on the horizon, planning for how the existing facility will be used long-term is also in the works. NGHS currently leases the former Chestatee Regional Hospital property from The University System of Georgia Board of Regents. At some point in the future, the University of North Georgia will likely relocate some of its health sciences programs and services to the property.
“These positive changes in our local healthcare landscape create exciting opportunities to enhance the way we teach and prepare our students,” says Dr. Bonita Jacobs, president of the University of North Georgia (UNG). “We look forward to the potential to collaborate with NGHS and other local providers.”
Other local leaders are optimistic about other ways a new hospital could impact the community.
“I’ve driven and supported efforts to establish a new hospital in Lumpkin County and expand UNG’s healthcare programs on the Dahlonega campus, in large part because of the role healthcare plays in today’s economics,” says Senator Steve Gooch, a Dahlonega resident and former executive director of Lumpkin County’s Development Authority. “We’ve all seen the growth and prosperity a new hospital and associated development can bring, and we look forward to working alongside NGHS to build a better future for our community.”
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ABOUT NORTHEAST GEORGIA HEALTH SYSTEM
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 800,000 people across the region through three hospital campuses and a variety of outpatient locations. Northeast Georgia Medical Center (NGMC) has three campuses – NGMC Gainesville, NGMC Braselton and NGMC Barrow – with a total of 713 beds and medical staff members representing more than 50 specialties. Learn more at www.nghs.com.
Navicent Health’s Dr. Ninfa M. Saunders Among Most Influential Georgians 3:06 pmCEO Selected by Georgia Trend Magazine for Second Time
Dr. Ninfa M. Saunders, President and CEO of Navicent Health was recently included on Georgia Trend’s annual listing of “100 Most Influential Georgians.” Saunders 2019 inclusion is the second time she has made the prestigious list in four years, demonstrating her continued impact on healthcare and Georgia’s healthcare consumers.
Georgia Trend’s editorial staff works throughout the year to compile the names of those leaders who use their power and influence to make the greatest contributions to their industry, their community and their state. According to a statement on Georgia Trend’s website, the 100 Influential Georgians included on this year’s list “have challenged, inspired and led efforts to bring about positive change in virtually every corner of the Peach State. Some are very public figures, while others work quietly behind the scenes…All are tireless and passionate in pursuit of their vision for a better Georgia.”
Saunders is recognized as a “fierce advocate” for access to quality healthcare for all Georgians, both urban and rural residents, regardless of their race, ethnicity or socioeconomic status. She has been included on Georgia Trend’s 2019 list for making a number of contributions to healthcare in the state, including:
Dr. Saunders’ efforts to consolidate local healthcare options, collaborate with competitors and increase Georgia’s medical profile have also drawn increased attention to both Saunders and Navicent Health.
“It is truly an honor to be recognized on Georgia Trend’s list of 100 influential leaders. This recognition is testament to the wonderful progress that we are making at Navicent Health, and the impact we are having on the industry and the lives of those we serve. We are not only improving healthcare in central and south Georgia, but also setting a standard for others to follow,” said Saunders.
Saunders was also recently included on Becker’s Hospital Review’s annual list of “130 Women Hospital and Health System Leaders to Know.” This is the sixth consecutive year she has been named to the annual list.
“Navicent Health is a dynamic industry leader and a model for other healthcare providers in an evolving healthcare industry We are thrilled that Dr. Saunders and Navicent Health have been recognized for the contributions that they are making to our state for the benefit of all Georgians,” said Starr Purdue, Chairperson of the Navicent Health Board of Directors.
Georgia Trend is the only statewide business publication in the market, reaching more than 50,000 subscribers. The monthly publication offers analysis of business and political trends around the state and economic development at the local level; creates a forum for leaders to voice their opinions on critical issues; and recognizes individuals, like Saunders, who make a positive impact on Georgia.
Georgia Trend’s list of 100 Influential Georgians includes elected and government officials, educators, philanthropists and various industry executives, including Bill Underwood, President of Mercer University in Macon. To view the complete list, please click here.
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 visitwww.navicenthealth.org.
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Veazey Inducted into Lobbyists Hall of Fame 3:07 pmJames magazine inducted Monty Veazey of Tifton into its Top Lobbyists Hall of Fame during a recent ceremony in Atlanta.
“Monty Veazey is a respected veteran lobbyist who is well known for doing his homework and articulating his clients’ needs before legislators and the public,” said Phil Kent, the publisher of the magazine. “James is pleased to salute the hard-working professional by placing him in its elite Lobbyist Hall of Fame.”
Veazey has served as the president and CEO of the Georgia Association of Community Hospitals for 34 years, and he lobbies for numerous other clients as well. Veazey won election to the state House in 1976, becoming the youngest member ever elected in the House of Representatives, serving Tift, Berrien and Cook counties and left office in 1983.
“I greatly appreciate this recognition from James magazine, and it’s an honor to join so many friends and colleagues who have received this award in the past,” said Veazey. “I’m incredibly lucky that I’ve worked throughout my career on issues that improve the quality of life for Georgians in communities like Tifton. Community hospitals provide high-quality healthcare that’s crucial to our families, and beyond that, they are crucial to local economies.
“I get the best of two worlds. I work at the state Capitol where there’s so much going on for our state – but then I get to leave it all behind and come home to Tifton.”
Veazey serves on the Synovus Bank Board as well as the Georgia Chamber of Commerce. He and his family are members of First Baptist Church.
Free Childbirth Class Offered February 9 at Wayne Memorial Hospital 9:20 pmJesup, GA – A free class on childbirth is offered at Wayne Memorial Hospital February 9 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the hospital cafeteria conference room. This class is ideal for expectant mothers 25 weeks pregnant or later by the class date. People interested in registering may do so by calling (912) 530-3118 or (912) 530-3117.
Topics of the class will include the normal process of pregnancy, labor and delivery with an emphasis on conscious prepared childbirth. Stress is placed on a medically safe delivery in the hospital under the direction of a physician. Additional topics covered are infant care and infant feeding. Attendees are encouraged to invite a support person to the class.
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 475 employees, 84 beds and is a two-time winner of the Georgia Alliance of Community Hospitals Small Hospital of the Year Award.
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