gachuser | GACH

People living in and around Habersham County can look forward to healthier tomorrows and continued access to local hospital care for years to come, thanks to a decision reached Tuesday night for Habersham Medical Center (HMC) to officially join Northeast Georgia Health System (NGHS) in 2023.

“This is the best possible scenario for the future of Habersham Medical Center and the health of everyone in our community,” said Dolly Ritchie, chair of the Hospital Authority of Habersham County. “It’s a little earlier than originally planned, but it’s the right thing to do for all the right reasons.”

The Hospital Authority of Hall County & the City of Gainesville, the Hospital Authority of Habersham County and Habersham County Government entered a five-year agreement to secure the future of HMC back in 2019. That agreement called for the Hospital Authority of Hall County & the City of Gainesville to invest $3 million per year – for a total of $15 million over five years – in capital improvements to enhance and expand HMC’s services. The first $3 million investment helped establish HMC’s Rehabilitation and Orthopedics Center. The second and third investments funded renovation of Habersham Home (HMC’s senior living facility). The fourth $3 million investment was just issued in November. The five-year agreement also included options for the Hospital Authority of Hall County & the City of Gainesville to assume ownership of HMC, in exchange for the total $15 million investment, at the end of the agreement in 2024 or earlier.

Tuesday, all three parties involved in the original agreement agreed to execute an early transition. The Hospital Authority of Hall County and the City of Gainesville will also provide the fifth and final $3 million investment on or before July 1, 2023. At that time, the Hospital Authority of Hall County & the City of Gainesville will immediately lease the hospital to NGHS or its affiliate.

Also, on Tuesday, HMC and NGHS agreed to enter into a Management Services Agreement until the early acquisition date of July 1, 2023. Under this agreement, NGHS management will provide day-to-day oversight and review of critical functions and services as well as financial services and information technology (IT) services support, with regular updates to the Habersham Hospital Authority and Habersham County representatives.

The Habersham County Commission and the Hospital Authority of Habersham County also both voted Tuesday to increase an existing line of credit from $1.5 million to a new maximum of $6 million to help cover HMC’s necessary operating costs until the ownership transfer on July 1. The original $1.5 million line of credit the Commission approved last month has already been used to help HMC pay down a portion of outstanding debts. The additional $4.5 million added to the line of credit will be funded by local American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds originally intended to fund renovation of the Habersham County Airport’s hangar. Increasing the line of credit will not place any tax burden on the citizens of Habersham County.

“Stabilizing the long-term future for HMC and putting the hospital on a better financial path to grow is currently the most pressing need in our community, and this agreement accomplishes that – positioning HMC to become a vital hub for healthcare in this part of the state,” said Bruce Palmer, chair of the Habersham County Commission. “It’s a big win for our county and an increasingly rare positive outcome for a rural hospital at a time when at least eight rural hospitals have closed in Georgia during the past decade.”

“The challenges HMC has experienced in recent years mirror those of so many other independent, rural hospitals across the state and nation,” said Tyler Williams, president and CEO of HMC. “These challenges are only increasing, so the time to act is now. Our hospital joining NGHS – a well-respected organization, with a strong financial track record, who many people in our county already trust for their care – is going to stabilize and improve healthcare across the entire region.”

The latest reports from the Georgia Hospital Association estimate HMC’s local and state economic impact at $117 million, as compared to NGHS’ four hospitals having a combined impact of more than $3.5 billion. NGHS has also received “A” grades for its current finances, as well as “positive” outlooks for its financial future, from the national ratings agencies S&P and Fitch.

“There is clear data that shows a direct link between the economic health of a community and having a vibrant, local hospital and healthcare providers,” said Charlie Fiveash, executive director of the Habersham Economic Development Council. “Being connected to a rock-solid organization like NGHS will help beyond the bedside by attracting more strong economic development in Habersham, which in turn brings in more tax revenue from businesses and lessens the tax burden on people who live in our communities.”

“NGHS is committed to make more long-term, multimillion dollar reinvestments in infrastructure improvements for HMC in the coming years – at no cost to the county or taxpayers,” said John Kueven, who is president of Northeast Georgia Medical Center Gainesville and has oversight of NGHS’ other hospitals in Lumpkin and Barrow counties. “Those reinvestments, like installing the same electronic health record we use at all other NGHS hospitals, are necessary to accomplish our shared vision to better coordinate care – so people can get most of their routine, specialty, and hospital care without leaving Habersham County.”

Both NGHS and HMC plan to work together with local physicians and the larger medical community across the region to seek input about how to align services to ensure long-term sustainability.

“Our goal throughout these discussions, over many years, has always been to best serve the people of Habersham County by providing high-quality, local care they can trust,” says Carol Burrell, president and CEO of NGHS. “We should all be thankful for the Habersham County leaders and community supporters who worked diligently together to help save their local hospital, which will be the key to physical and economic wellbeing for generations to come.”

Habersham Medical Center (HMC), a 53-licensed-bed acute care hospital, serves approximately 80,000 residents in Habersham and adjoining counties. HMC operates Habersham Home, an 84-licensed-bed skilled nursing facility, and HCMC Home Care, the service area’s sole agency for hospital-based home health providers. Our care shows we care. Learn more at www.habershammedical.com.

Northeast Georgia Health System (NGHS) is a non-profit on a mission of improving the health of our community in all we do. Our team cares for more than 1 million people across the region through four hospitals and a variety of outpatient locations. Northeast Georgia Medical Center (NGMC) has campuses in Gainesville, Braselton, Winder and Dahlonega – with a total of more than 750 beds and more than 1,200 medical staff members representing more than 60 specialties. Learn more at www.nghs.com.

January is National Cervical Cancer Awareness Month and doctors at Atrium Health Navicent invite the community to help raise awareness about cervical cancer by encouraging women to make their annual gynecology visits a priority.

The American Cancer Society (ACS) has estimated about 14,100 new cases of invasive cervical cancer would be diagnosed in the United States in 2022, leading to about 4,280 deaths. Hispanic women have the highest rates of developing cervical cancer, and Black women have the highest rates of dying from the disease.

Cervical cancer is most frequently diagnosed in women between the ages of 35 and 44. Many older women don’t realize that the risk of developing cervical cancer is still present as they age. More than 20 percent of cases of cervical cancer are found in women over 65.

Early on, cervical cancer may not cause apparent signs and symptoms. Advanced cervical cancer may cause abnormal bleeding or discharge from the vagina, such as bleeding after sex. If you have any of these signs, see your doctor. The signs and symptoms may be caused by something other than cancer, but the only way to know for sure is to see your doctor.

“It’s so important for women to keep their annual visits with their OB/GYN. Each exam includes a review of your medical history, routine vitals, a breast exam, palpation of the abdomen and lymph nodes, and then a pelvic exam, if
indicated. Routine labs are normally ordered to monitor liver functions, cholesterol and possibly hormone levels. In other words, an annual visit to your OB/GYN could identify something going on in your body before it becomes serious,” said Dr. Adrienne Jones, an Atrium Health Navicent OB/GYN.

While cervical cancer was once one of the most common causes of cancer death for American women, the mortality rate dropped significantly with increased use of the Pap smear test, according to the ACS. The screening procedure can detect changes in the cervix before cancer develops and can also identify cervical cancer early, when it’s easier to treat.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued guidelines for cervical cancer screenings, including Pap smear tests and screenings for human papillomavirus (HPV). They are broken down by age:

If you are 21 to 29 years old: You should start getting Pap tests at age 21. If your Pap test result is normal, your doctor may tell you that you can wait three years until your next Pap test.
If you are 30 to 65 years old: Talk to your doctor about which testing option is right for you:

o A Pap test only. If your result is normal, your doctor may tell you that you can wait three years until your

next Pap test.
o An HPV test only. This is called primary HPV testing. If your result is normal, your doctor may tell you that

you can wait five years until your next screening test.
o An HPV test along with the Pap test. This is called co-testing. If both of your results are normal, your

doctor may tell you that you can wait five years until your next screening test.
• If you are older than 65: Your doctor may tell you that you don’t need to be screened anymore if:

o You have had normal screening test results for several years; or
o You have had your cervix removed as part of a total hysterectomy for non-cancerous conditions, like

fibroids.

Contact:

Amy Leigh Womack

amy.mccord@atriumhealth.org

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Join Atrium Health Navicent in Raising Awareness about Cervical Cancer

Physicians encourage HPV vaccination and screenings for early detection and treatment

“Cervical cancer is preventable with appropriate screening and surveillance. A Pap smear finds changes in cells of the cervix that can indicate future cancer. Regular screenings will show these cell changes and allow for early prevention or intervention,” Jones said.

Almost all cervical cancers are caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. HPV is a common virus that can be passed from one person to another during sex. There are many types of HPV. Some HPV types can cause changes on a woman’s cervix that can lead to cervical cancer over time, while other types can cause genital or skin warts.

According to the ACS, HPV is the leading cause of cervical cancer, and almost 35,000 men and women are diagnosed with HPV cancers in the United States every year. HPV is so common that most people get it at some time in their lives. HPV usually causes no symptoms so you can’t tell that you have it. For most women, HPV will go away on its own; however, if it does not, there is a chance that over time it may cause cervical cancer.

Studies have shown that giving the HPV vaccine to boys and girls aged 9 to 12 can prevent more than 90 percent of HPV cancers as children grow older. The vaccine is safe, effective and long lasting.

The CDC has offered recommendations for HPV vaccines:

The HPV vaccine is recommended for routine vaccination at age 11 or 12 years. (Vaccination can be started at age 9.)
Vaccination is also recommended for everyone through age 26, if not adequately vaccinated when younger. The vaccine is given as a series of either two or three doses, depending on age at initial vaccination.
Some adults ages 27 through 45 years may decide to get the HPV vaccine based on a discussion with their doctor, if they did not get adequately vaccinated when they were younger.
Atrium Health Navicent offers OB/GYN care in Macon and Forsyth. For more information, and to find a doctor, visit

www.NavicentHealth.org.

For information about services available at the Atrium Health Navicent Peyton Anderson Cancer Center, ranging from prevention and diagnosis to treatment and survivorship, call 478-633-3000.

For more information about well-child visits and recommended immunizations, visit www.navicenthealth.org/service- center/children-s-health.

About Atrium Health Navicent

Atrium Health Navicent is the leading provider of healthcare in central and south Georgia and is committed to its mission of elevating health and well- being through compassionate care. Atrium Health Navicent provides high-quality, personalized care in 53 specialties at more than 50 facilities throughout the region. As part of the largest, integrated, nonprofit health system in the Southeast, it is also able to tap into some of the nation’s leading medical experts and specialists with Atrium Health, allowing it to provide the best care close to home – including advanced innovations in virtual medicine and care. Throughout its 125-year history in the community, Atrium Health Navicent has remained dedicated to enhancing health and wellness for individuals throughout the region through nationally recognized quality care, community health initiatives and collaborative partnerships. It is also one of the leading teaching hospitals in the region, helping to ensure viability for rural health care for the next generation. For more information, please visitwww.NavicentHealth.org.

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The Joint Commission, in collaboration with the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH), today announced that Northside Hospital, Atlanta, is the first in the country to receive Maternal Levels of Care (MLC) Verification. Northside Hospital also is the first in the state to receive a Level IV Maternal Center Designation from DPH.

The United States has a higher maternal mortality rate than many other developed countries. Georgia is taking action to help improve care for women and newborns. It is one of a handful of states to review risk-appropriate care and the first to collaborate on a program with an accreditation organization.

In 2022, DPH announced a partnership with The Joint Commission, recognizing its MLC Verification program. The program, offered in collaboration with the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), is a verification process that involves an on-site comprehensive review of a hospital’s maternal capabilities and policies, as well as a level of maternal care determination.

Through the partnership, hospitals may seek the optional Maternal Center Designation with The Joint Commission’s MLC Verification program. Details on the designation process are available at https://dph.georgia.gov/maternal-and-neonatal-center.

“Early in our history a pivotal decision was made to provide the best care for mothers and newborns in Georgia at Northside Hospital,” says Melissa Sisson, who is retiring as Northside Hospital’s longtime director of women’s services and led the hospital’s certification process.

More babies are born at Atlanta’s Northside Hospital each year than at any other single hospital in the United States. This position offers Northside a unique opportunity to develop exceptional expertise in the care of women and newborns with high-risk conditions complicating their pregnancies.

“Our strategy began in earnest with the establishment of a maternal-fetal medicine program, alongside a team of highly qualified obstetricians, certified midwives, nurses and staff,” Sisson adds. “The designation of Northside Hospital Atlanta as the first Level IV Maternal Center in Georgia is an achievement that validates our ability to care for the most critically-ill mothers and newborns in Georgia.”

“The Joint Commission congratulates Northside Hospital on this outstanding achievement, as well as the state of Georgia for its efforts to standardize, implement and improve regionalized systems of care,” says Brian Enochs, JD, executive vice president for Business Development and Marketing, The Joint Commission. “Georgia is leading the way in establishing levels of maternal care designations for hospitals, and we expect more states to follow as the nation’s overall maternal mortality rates remain high. Through the Maternal Levels of Care Verification program, we look forward to working closely with hospitals to identify areas where they may need to strengthen risk-appropriate care to match their population – helping to make care safer for mothers and their babies.”

“The Georgia Department of Public Health commends Northside Hospital for its commitment to high levels of care, and for their partnership with DPH to improve the health of mothers and babies in Georgia,” says Kathleen E. Toomey, MD, MPH, commissioner, Georgia Department of Public Health.

When making plans to ring in the new year, Atrium Health Navicent physicians urge the community to stay safe behind the wheel. Since 2000, more than 230,000 people have lost their lives in crashes involving alcohol-impaired drivers, according to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

In 2020, an estimated 11,654 fatalities occurred in alcohol-impaired crashes. This number represented 30 percent of all traffic fatalities that year and a 14 percent increase over 2019. When people are impaired by alcohol, they may have poor judgment, impaired visual functions, declines in coordination and reduced reaction time. Even when people don’t appear drunk, small amounts of alcohol may impair driving skills, according to the NHTSA.

The National Safety Council reports that the three-hour period with the highest percentage of driver fatalities with blood- alcohol contents of 0.08 percent or higher is midnight to 3 a.m. — prime time for driving home from New Year’s Eve festivities.

“For many people, New Year’s is a time for celebration with family and friends, but it’s important to keep safety in mind. If your celebration includes alcohol, be sure to either have a designated driver or to stay at home. Also don’t light fireworks while intoxicated,” said Dr. John Wood, medical director for the Emergency Center at Atrium Health Navicent The Medical Center.

If New Year’s celebrations involve fireworks, it’s also important to take precautions to ensure those celebrations remain safe.

In 2021, fireworks were involved in an estimated 11,500 injuries treated in U.S. hospital emergency departments, and resulted in 9 deaths, according to a report from the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Young adults, aged 20 to 24, were the most likely to be treated in emergency rooms for fireworks-related injuries. The most common injuries included burns to the hands and fingers (31 percent), along with head, face and ears.

Fireworks — including sparklers and flares — can cause serious burns as well as blast injuries that can permanently impair vision and hearing.

Emergency and trauma physicians at Atrium Health Navicent The Medical Center, a nationally verified Level I Trauma Center, encourage celebrants to protect themselves and their children from fireworks injuries by following these tips:

Handle and use fireworks in strict accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and all warning labels.
Light fireworks on smooth, flat surfaces and aim them away from buildings, dry leaves, flammable materials
and spectators.
Do not try to relight fireworks that malfunction. Soak them in water and then throw them away.
Do not modify fireworks or use homemade fireworks.
Light fireworks one at a time, then quickly move back.
Do not shoot fireworks from metal or glass containers.
Keep a phone and a bucket of water or a fire extinguisher handy.
Familiarize yourself with first aid for burns.
Adults should actively supervise all children when they are near fireworks.
Never allow young children to play with or ignite fireworks, including sparklers. Sparklers burn at temperatures
of about 2,000 degrees — hot enough to melt some metals.

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After fireworks complete their burning, to prevent a trash fire, douse the spent device with plenty of water from

Contact:

Amy Leigh Womack:

amy.mccord@atriumhealth.org

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a bucket or hose before discarding the device.

Physicians also urge revelers to avoid firing guns in celebration of the holiday. Bullets returning to the ground due to celebratory gunfire can cause serious injury or even death for bystanders in the area.

“Teammates staffing our emergency center typically sees an increase in fireworks–related injuries on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. Taking a few easy safety precautions – and not participating in celebratory gunfire – can help ensure you’re able to enjoy the holiday safely,” Wood said.

If an accident or injury occurs, seek appropriate medical treatment. For emergency situations, call 911 or seek care at the

nearest

emergency center. Atrium Health Navicent offers emergency care at the following locations:

Atrium Health Navicent The Medical Center (770 Pine St., Macon)
Atrium Health Navicent Beverly Knight Olson Children’s Hospital (888 Pine St., Macon)
Atrium Health Navicent Peach (1960 Hwy 247 Connector, Byron)
Atrium Health Navicent Baldwin (821 North Cobb St., Milledgeville)
Monroe County Hospital, an Atrium Health Navicent Partner (88 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Forsyth)
Putnam General Hospital, an Atrium Health Navicent Partner (101 Greensboro Road, Eatonton)
For non-life-threatening injuries, visit your nearest urgent care provider. Atrium Health Navicent provides urgent care at three Macon locations.
- Atrium Health Navicent Urgent Care North (3400 Riverside Drive, Macon)
- Atrium Health Navicent Urgent Care East (1339 Gray Highway, Macon)
- Atrium Health Navicent Urgent Care Northwest (5925 Zebulon Road, Macon)
  About Atrium Health Navicent
  
  Atrium Health Navicent is the leading provider of healthcare in central and south Georgia and is committed to its mission of elevating health and well- being through compassionate care. Atrium Health Navicent provides high-quality, personalized care in 53 specialties at more than 50 facilities throughout the region. As part of the largest, integrated, nonprofit health system in the Southeast, it is also able to tap into some of the nation’s leading medical experts and specialists with Atrium Health, allowing it to provide the best care close to home – including advanced innovations in virtual medicine and care. Throughout its 125-year history in the community, Atrium Health Navicent has remained dedicated to enhancing health and wellness for individuals throughout the region through nationally recognized quality care, community health initiatives and collaborative partnerships. It is also one of the leading teaching hospitals in the region, helping to ensure viability for rural health care for the next generation. For more information, please visit www.NavicentHealth.org.
  
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South Georgia Medical Center commemorated the grand re-opening of its SGMC Smith Northview hospital on Wednesday, Dec. 7 with a special ribbon cutting ceremony. The hospital is slated to fully reopen in January 2023, becoming the second fully operational hospital in Lowndes County.

SGMC leadership welcomed community leaders, state and local legislators, physicians, and staff to recognize the significant role that the hospital and campus play in access to quality healthcare for the region.

According to Ronald E. Dean, SGMC President and Chief Executive Officer, creating unequaled access is a top priority for the health system because convenience and capability matter. “The opening of 12 additional emergency care beds, 45 acute inpatient care beds, and a nearby urgent care center on the Smith Northview campus, significantly enhances access to our remarkable team of 600 plus providers and the most comprehensive healthcare system in the region,” shared Dean.

Furthermore, patients who receive care at any SGMC location or facility receive access to their own MyChart account and application (commonly referred to as an Electronic Health Record) that allows for a centralized record of their information that integrates seamlessly with all care provided to them across the health system.

“Expanding services at the Smith Northview campus enables us to serve more and to serve better as demand grows. For that, we are deeply grateful,” said Dean.

According to Lowndes County Board of Commissioners Chairman Bill Slaughter, Lowndes County grew 9.8 percent during the last Census with much of that growth centered around the northern portion of the county. “Reopening the Smith Northview hospital fully is certainly beneficial for the residents in that area, but also remains a tremendous asset for our entire community as well as our region,” shared Slaughter.

SGMC is a not-for-profit regional health system with four hospital campuses in Lowndes, Berrien, and Lanier counties. SGMC has the region’s most comprehensive physician network with more than 40 locations across South Georgia. The system provides a broad range of high-quality healthcare services to 400,000 residents across a 15-county area.

As part of its Pink Promise United initiative, United Way of Central Georgia has announced a new partnership with Atrium Health Navicent and Houston Healthcare to provide breast cancer screenings and treatment to uninsured and underinsured women in 15 Central Georgia counties.

United Way of Central Georgia created Pink Promise United (PPU) in 2018 to fill the void left by the Susan G. Komen Foundation’s withdrawal from Central Georgia. Mammogram screenings and readings are provided by PPU to women who are uninsured, underinsured, low-income, or otherwise unable to access health care. Additional diagnostics may also be covered by PPU.

Over 1,500 women have been screened for breast cancer since PPU was founded with 88 women having an abnormal result and/or needing further diagnostic testing. A total of $364,181 has been granted to cover this critical care.

Providing equity in care can be challenging due to a lack of transportation. Through PPU, women can also access transportation through PPU’s rideshare program or receive gas cards. A total of $7,500 in gas cards has been used for screenings and appointments.

“We are excited to partner with Atrium Health Navicent and Houston Healthcare as we work to expand the impact of Pink Promise United. Working directly with them will allow us to extend the availability of our PPU funds to even more uninsured or underinsured women in Central Georgia,” said United Way of Central Georgia President & CEO George McCanless.

“Screening and early detection are critical in the fight against breast cancer, but many women may delay getting a mammogram due to a lack of insurance coverage or transportation. Thanks to the United Way of Central Georgia for partnering with Atrium Health Navicent as we bridge barriers to increase access to high quality care, improving health, elevating hope, and advancing healing for all,” said Atrium Health Navicent President and CEO Delvecchio Finley.

“Houston Healthcare is excited to partner with United Way to help meet our community’s healthcare needs. On behalf of Houston Healthcare and United Way, we are extremely grateful to be part of the Pink Promise United initiative that will provide immense benefits to so many women throughout Central Georgia,” said Charles Briscoe, United Way of Central Georgia Board Chair and Houston Healthcare President & CEO.

Patients of First Choice Primary Care, Houston County Volunteer Medical Clinic, Macon Volunteer Clinic, Community Health Care Systems and Dept. of Public Health are automatically screened for eligibility. Uninsured or underinsured patients of other primary care providers simply need to discuss eligibility with the breast care center when making their mammogram appointment.

A portion of PPU funds will be allocated to Washington County Regional Medical Center to provide services to patients outside of Atrium Health Navicent and Houston Healthcare.

Pink Promise United also promotes breast cancer awareness and education. Every year in May, United Way of Central Georgia hosts the ACE Classic powered by Butler Automotive Group to raise funds and

awareness. ACE Classic is a day of tennis, bridge, and golf. This event is a way to give back to women in our community who lack access to potentially life-saving mammograms.

United Way of Central Georgia hosted PINKnic in the Park in October, sponsored by Texas Roadhouse and Capital City Bank. This event honored and celebrated local breast cancer survivors and fighters.

A joint press conference with Atrium Health Navicent and Houston Healthcare will be held at United Way of Central Georgia offices on December 12th at 1 p.m. at 277 MLK Jr Blvd, Macon, GA.

Programs are leaders in their field due to offering the most advanced practices available and having proven track records of high-quality patient care

Atrium Health Navicent is proud to announce that the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR) has granted national certification to Atrium Health Navicent Cardiac & Pulmonary Rehabilitation, a Facility of Atrium Health Navicent Baldwin, and renewed certification for Atrium Health Navicent Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation in Macon. AACVPR certification recognizes the programs’ commitment to improving patients’ quality of life by enhancing standards of care.

Cardiovascular and pulmonary rehabilitation programs are designed to help people with cardiovascular conditions and pulmonary conditions recover faster and live healthier. The programs include exercise, education, counseling and support for patients and their families.

AACVPR-certified programs are leaders in the cardiovascular and pulmonary rehabilitation field because they offer the most advanced practices available and have proven track records of high-quality patient care.

“Cardiopulmonary rehabilitation plays a vital role not only in a patient’s recovery, but also in helping a patient to live his or her best life,” said Atrium Health Navicent Chief Medical Officer Dr. Patrice Walker. “Achieving this designation, and continuing it, is a reflection of our teammates’ drive for excellence in all we do. Thank you AACVPR for this recognition!”

To earn certification and recertification, Atrium Health Navicent Baldwin and Atrium Health Navicent The Medical Center’s cardiopulmonary rehabilitation programs participated in an application process that requires extensive documentation of program practices. AACVPR Program Certification is the only peer-review accreditation process designed to review individual programs for adherence to standards and guidelines developed and published by AACVPR and other related professional societies.

Each program’s application is reviewed by the AACVPR Program Certification Committee, and certification is awarded by the AACVPR Board of Directors.

About AACVPR Founded in 1985, the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation is a multidisciplinary organization dedicated to the mission of reducing morbidity, mortality and disability from cardiovascular and pulmonary disease through education, prevention, rehabilitation, research and disease management. Central to the core mission is improvement in quality of life for patients and their families.

About Atrium Health Navicent Atrium Health Navicent is the leading provider of healthcare in central and south Georgia and is committed to its mission of elevating health and wellbeing through compassionate care. Atrium Health Navicent provides high-quality, personalized care in 53 specialties at more than 50 facilities throughout the region. As part of the largest, integrated, nonprofit health system in the Southeast, it is also able to tap into some of the nation’s leading medical experts and specialists with Atrium Health, allowing it to provide the best care close to home – including advanced innovations in virtual medicine and care. Throughout its 125-year history in the community, Atrium Health Navicent has remained dedicated to enhancing health and wellness for individuals throughout the region through nationally recognized quality care, community health initiatives and collaborative partnerships. It is also one of the leading teaching hospitals in the region, helping to ensure viability for rural health care for the next generation. For more information, please visit www.NavicentHealth.org.

More physicians are on the way to care for patients in high-demand specialties, as Northeast Georgia Medical Center (NGMC) learned on Wednesday who is joining the Cardiovascular Disease and Hospice and Palliative Medicine Fellowship programs.

Six Cardiovascular Disease fellows have matched with NGMC, bringing the total to 12 fellows training in heart health. With the launch of Georgia Heart Institute last year, the Cardiovascular Disease Fellowship has complemented the commitment of Northeast Georgia Health System (NGHS) to provide exceptional heart care for generations.

“The new fellows will work side-by-side with physicians of distinction at the Georgia Heart Institute, as well as collaborate with our current fellows – all of whom add to cutting-edge care for our patients,” said Ugochukwu Egolum, MD, program director of the Cardiovascular Disease Fellowship program. “As Georgia’s most forward-thinking heart and vascular program, we will leverage our exceptional accomplishments in clinical care, research, innovation and education to train the future leaders of cardiovascular care for our region and beyond.”

To become a board-certified cardiologist, doctors must complete a residency program in internal medicine before beginning a cardiology fellowship. The Cardiovascular Disease Fellowship program is a three-year program that offers six fellowship slots per year.

Two fellows have also matched with NGMC in Hospice and Palliative Medicine to make up the inaugural class for the one-year, community-based training program. Designed to provide fellows with the education and training to become experts at caring for people with chronic illnesses or at the end of life, the Hospice and Palliative Medicine Fellowship program highlights the rising awareness and demand for these physicians.

“We are delighted to welcome the inaugural class of Hospice and Palliative Medicine fellows who will serve our north Georgia patients,” said Meredith Pickett, DO, program director of the Hospice and Palliative Medicine Fellowship program. “Fellows become experts in providing compassionate care, while also teaching residents and other clinicians the importance of Hospice and Palliative Medicine. Fellowship provides a unique opportunity to learn by serving, and we are honored to take part in this transformation for such brilliant, dedicated individuals.”

“The pool of applicants was very competitive for both of these important fellowships,” said John E. Delzell, Jr., MD, MSPH, FAAFP vice president of Medical Education for Northeast Georgia Health System and Designated Institutional Official for NGMC. “Our elite faculty is committed to provide an intellectually stimulating environment for clinical learning that includes experiences beyond the clinic, such as research, education and outreach.”

For more information about NGMC’s Graduate Medical Education program, please visit www.ngmcgme.org.

Northeast Georgia Health System (NGHS) plans to expand its hospital in Braselton to meet the growing needs of the surrounding communities by adding inpatient beds and expanding the Emergency Department. The expansion paves the way for several anticipated improvements at Northeast Georgia Medical Center (NGMC) Braselton including:

A Certificate of Need (CON) application has also been filed with the state to add more operating rooms to expand available surgeries and procedures. Additional expansion also includes the construction of an endovascular operating room for the performance of complex vascular and cardiac cases. Areas for care before and after surgery will also be expanded

“We began planning for the Braselton campus almost 20 years ago, working with community leaders who shared our vision for what this hospital could become,” says Anthony Williamson, president of NGMC Braselton. “This expansion is not only a reflection of the growth of the Braselton area, but also of our original plan to continue to add timely, comprehensive, much needed health-related services for the community.”

The expansion is scheduled to begin in late November, with new patient care floors completed in summer 2025. The Emergency Department expansion is expected to be complete in 2026. The total estimated cost of the entire planned expansion is nearly $565 million.

“This is another of our many projects we refer to as ‘Growing the Greater Good,’” says Carol Burrell, president & CEO of NGHS. “That phrase is a reminder that, when we grow to care for more patients and expand our clinical services, we’re ultimately reinvesting in the overall health of our region – whether that’s through the care we provide, creating new jobs, or the ripple effect high-quality health care can have in a community.”

Learn more about all of NGHS’ Growing the Greater Good projects at nghs.com/growing.

Since 1951, Northeast Georgia Medical Center (NGMC) has been on a mission of improving the health of our community in all we do. With hospitals located in Gainesville, Braselton, Winder and Dahlonega, the four NGMC campuses have a total of more than 750 beds and more than 1,200 medical staff members representing more than 60 specialties. NGMC is part of Northeast Georgia Health System, a non-profit that cares for more than one million people across more than 19 counties. Learn more at www.nghs.com

The community is invited to join Atrium Health Navicent in recognizing November as Prematurity Awareness Month, an opportunity to raise awareness about the 380,000 babies born premature in the United States each year, and what we can do to help prevent premature births.

Each year, 1 in 10 babies is born premature, which means they are born prior to 37 weeks of pregnancy. These babies miss out on important development that happens in the final weeks of pregnancy. Preterm babies can have short- and long-term health problems, or even die.

In 2021, the March of Dimes Premature Birth Report Card gave the U.S. a letter grade of C- with a prematurity rate of

10.1 percent. That same year, Georgia’s prematurity rate was 11.4 percent, earning a letter grade of D-.

“Prematurity is one of the leading causes of infant mortality,” said Dr. Mitch Rodriguez, a neonatologist and medical

director of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and business development officer for Atrium Health Navicent Beverly Knight

Olson Children’s Hospital. “While a number of factors may contribute to a premature birth, we encourage women to

receive preconception care which helps identify and modify medical, behavioral and social health risks with the goal of

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and doctors at Atrium Health Navicent, risk factors that contribute to premature births include:

The 2021 March of Dimes Premature Birth Report Card indicated racial and ethnic disparities in premature birth rates across the United States. The premature birth rate among black women is 51 percent higher than the rate among all other women.

Georgia has the second-highest maternal mortality rate in the nation, and due to a number of factors, black women in our state are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications.

As part of Atrium Health Navicent’s ongoing commitment to improving outcomes for babies and their mothers, the health system has received a grant for a care coordinator to support its High-Risk Obstetric Care Management program. The care coordinator will work with patients to address social determinants of health, such as access to nutritious foods, transportation, income or social support, which may form barriers to care, and help provide assistance in bridging those barriers, including linking patients to available community resources.

If you or a loved one are pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant, preconception care and prenatal care with doctors at Atrium Health Navicent are key in helping to prevent premature births. Preventative measures include lifestyle modification, supplementation with progesterone during future pregnancies and management of chronic medical conditions.

About Atrium Health Navicent Atrium Health Navicent, the leading provider of health care 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, Atrium Health Navicent provides care for health care 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. Atrium Health Navicent is dedicated to 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.