Atrium Health Navicent is partnering with the Georgia Department of Public Health to vaccinate homebound individuals in four counties who otherwise wouldn’t have an opportunity to receive a Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine.
Nurses began visiting the homes of individuals identified by the Area Agency on Aging and Department of Public Health on Thursday, April 1.
“As a health system, Atrium Health Navicent is working to bridge barriers to vaccine access in the communities we serve, ensuring the most vulnerable among us are able to receive protection against COVID-19,” said Atrium Health Navicent President and CEO Delvecchio Finley. “By partnering to reach those in need, Atrium Health Navicent is working on the front line to slow the pandemic’s spread.”
While the Johnson & Johnson vaccine only requires one dose to be administered, nurses providing the vaccinations are skillfully working around logistics as they vaccinate individuals over a broad geographic area. Each vial of vaccine contains five doses. Once the doses are drawn up, nurses have just two hours to administer the five doses to five individuals, often in five different locations, before they expire.
“It’s a bit of a challenge, but our team has made plans to make the best use out of every single dose,” said Atrium Health Navicent Healthy Communities and Palliative Care Director Carol Babcock.
Homebound vaccinations will be provided in Baldwin, Bibb, Monroe and Peach counties over the next two weeks.
“Vaccinating Georgians is key to ending COVID-19, but for individuals who are homebound and living alone without a support system, getting a vaccine can be extremely difficult,” said Dr. Kathleen E. Toomey, commissioner of the Georgia Department of Public Health. “We want to ensure that homebound individuals are not overlooked in the vaccination process, so this collaboration with Atrium Health Navicent demonstrates our collective ability to get the vaccine to vulnerable individuals in Georgia who need it most.”
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.
NORTHEAST GEORGIA MEDICAL CENTER COMPLETES FIRST AVM TREATMENT, ADVANCING BRAIN CARE FOR THE REGION 2:46 pm
The radiation oncology and neuroscience teams at Northeast Georgia Medical Center (NGMC) recently partnered to provide the region’s first treatment for arteriovenous malformation (AVM), a tangle of abnormal blood vessels in the brain. Because of the high risk for stroke and myriad neurological conditions associated with AVM, patients have traditionally been sent elsewhere for care – but now they can get the care they need close to home.
“It takes a lot of collaboration between different specialists to treat a complex neurovascular disorder like this,” said Sung Lee, MD, NGMC’s medical director of Neurointerventional Surgery and a neurointerventional surgeon with Northeast Georgia Physicians Group (NGPG). “Being able to provide this treatment speaks to how we are continuing to advance the neuroscience capabilities in this region, so patients won’t have to travel for life-saving care.”
Using his expertise in angiography, Dr. Lee first located the tangled vessels in the patient’s brain and then helped develop a plan with Craig Baden, MD, a radiation oncologist with NGPG, for targeted radiation treatment. These radiation treatment capabilities have been available at NGMC to treat cancerous tumors for years, but – without a neurointerventional surgeon like Dr. Lee – AVM treatment wasn’t possible.
“Anytime you’re dealing with a complex problem, you need experts from multiple disciplines to come together and develop an appropriate treatment plan,” said Dr. Baden. “And for an AVM treatment, we’ve had some of the pieces in place previously, but we were missing the crucial piece of a neurointerventionalist.”
Patients oftentimes don’t know they have an AVM. Dr. Baden said it’s typically diagnosed incidentally or when a patient goes in for brain imaging due to headache, seizure or some kind of neurologic problem. When concern for AVM arises, Dr. Lee steps in to help decide the best route of treatment for the patient based on certain risk factors.
“A tumor is very easy to see on an MRI,” said Dr. Baden, who has been treating tumors with radiosurgery for years. “But when you’re talking about tiny blood vessels that are connecting improperly in the brain, the best way to see those is by putting a catheter in one of the arteries and going all the way up into the vascular system in the brain – that’s the expertise Dr. Lee brings to the table.”
Dr. Lee has already helped Northeast Georgia Health System (NGHS) offer new neuroscience care capabilities like mechanical thrombectomy, a critical stroke intervention procedure. With his expertise in angiography, he’s further pushing the program to new heights.
“Dr. Lee is truly an asset to this health system and this region as a whole,” said Meghan Glabach, executive director of Neurosciences at NGHS. “With his help, we’re continually expanding stroke care at NGHS. Our campuses in Barrow, Braselton and Gainesville are now all certified as Primary Stroke Centers, and we plan to continue expanding, putting NGMC on the map as a leader in neurosciences.”
To learn more about NGMC’s neurological care, visit nghs.com/neurosciences.
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Southeast Georgia Health System Offering COVID-19 Pfizer Vaccines 12:56 pmEffective March 25, 2021, Southeast Georgia Health System is offering COVID-19 Pfizer vaccines for all individuals age 16 and older at its Brunswick and Kingsland Vaccine Clinics. Pfizer is the only COVID-19 vaccine currently approved for those aged 16-18. Appointments can be scheduled online at sghs.org/covid19-vaccine.
Brunswick Campus, Linda S. Pinson Conference Center
2415 Parkwood Drive, Brunswick
Every Wednesday and Saturday, 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Every Tuesday and Thursday, 4-6 p.m.
Camden Community Recreation Center
1050 Wildcat Drive, Kingsland
Every Monday and Friday, 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.
To receive a vaccine, individuals must register online for an appointment; walk-ins are not accepted.
Those receiving the vaccine must be available for a second dose 21 days later. Individuals receiving the vaccine must provide a form of identification, and should wear a shirt that provides access to their upper arm. Masks are required when in a Health System facility. Following the vaccination, recipients will be required to remain in an observation area for 15 minutes to ensure they do not experience any adverse reaction.
Even after receiving the vaccine, it remains extremely important to continue following safety protocols. Wear a mask, social distance, wash hands frequently and avoid large gatherings. Updated vaccine information is available on the Health System’s website at sghs.org/covid-19.
About Southeast Georgia Health System
Southeast Georgia Health System is a not-for-profit health system comprised of two acute care hospitals, two long term care facilities, two comprehensive Cancer Care Centers and multiple specialty care centers, including orthopaedic and spine care, joint replacement, breast care, maternity, outpatient rehabilitation, sleep management and wound care. The Brunswick Campus Cancer Care Center is accredited by the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer and offers the only CyberKnife® M6 with MLC technology in Georgia. Additionally, the Southeast Georgia Physician Associates medical group includes more than 140 providers working in 20 different medical specialties at more than 50 locations. For more information, visit sghs.org.
Atrium Health Navicent stands ready to provide public COVID-19 vaccinations to all Georgians aged 16 and older beginning Thursday. Georgia announced plans to expand the vaccine eligibility group on Tuesday.
“Atrium Health Navicent has been steadily expanding our public vaccination program as supply has allowed. We’re now vaccinating hundreds of people each clinic day, helping to slow the spread of COVID-19,” said Atrium Health Navicent President and CEO Delvecchio Finley. “Expanded public vaccination services is another example of how we are committed to improving health and wellness, elevating hope and advancing healing for all.”
Vaccination services are available by appointment at the following locations:
To make an appointment, visit www.CovidsafeGA.org or call 478-633-SAFE (7233). Appointments are based on vaccine availability, which is allocated and managed by the state.
“We are excited to be able to help vaccinate residents not just in the communities we serve, but those who have traveled from as far away as Atlanta to receive vaccinations at our vaccine clinics,” said Dr. Sanford G. Duke, Chief Clinical Officer for Atrium Health Navicent. “COVID-19 vaccines have been determined to be safe and effective. We hope as many Georgians as possible will roll up a sleeve, receive protection against COVID-19 infection and help us in the fight to end the pandemic.”
Atrium Health Navicent is also participating in a growing number of community partnerships which are helping to ensure vulnerable populations such as seniors and those with difficulty accessing transportation receive protection against COVID-19.
Individuals with health questions about being vaccinated are asked to consult with their primary care physician.
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.
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Tanner Crests 10,000 Public Vaccines Administered 12:49 pmThe Cracker Barrel better get a table ready for Elsie Pinyan — she’s coming for supper.
The 92-year-old Winston resident received the 10,000th dose of COVID-19 vaccine that Tanner Health System has administered to the public since it began hosting vaccination clinics in January. And Pinyan said the first thing she wanted to do was go out to eat.
Pinyan received her shot — a second dose of the Moderna vaccine — during a vaccination clinic the health system hosted at Mill Town Music Hall in Bremen.
Educators with Bremen City Schools also received their first-dose shots at the event.
The health system was already nearing its 10,000th dose last week, when it hosted a March 10 vaccination clinic at Carrollton’s Tabernacle Baptist Church for those age 65 and older, residents of long-term care facilities and staff from the Carroll County School System, Carrollton City Schools, Oak Mountain Academy and Oak Grove Montessori School. More than 1,000 local educators received their first-dose shots that day.
Altogether, Tanner has administered almost 14,300 doses of vaccine, including more than 3,750 to its team of healthcare workers and medical staff.
Tanner’s goal is widespread vaccination, and its greatest obstacle is vaccine supply. As quickly as it receives vaccine doses from the state, however, the health system is planning vaccination clinics and encouraging people to register.
“We decided early that we were going to be our region’s COVID-19 vaccination leader,” said Loy Howard, president and CEO of Tanner. “Our leadership, our medical staff, our employees — everyone sees the vaccine as the light at the end of the tunnel. It’s safe and it works. We are uniquely positioned — with our staff, experience and local partnerships — to get as many vaccines administered as possible.”
Within hours of the first shipment of COVID-19 vaccine hitting the docks at Tanner in late December, the health system’s first vaccination clinic for healthcare workers had been set up at Tanner Medical Center/Carrollton. Vaccinations for staff at Tanner Medical Center/Villa Rica, Higgins General Hospital in Bremen and Tanner Medical Center/East Alabama followed in subsequent days.
Many on staff at Tanner considered their first dose of vaccine a Christmas miracle.
As vaccine shipments continued to arrive, Tanner opened vaccinations to the public in accord with state guidelines, administering vaccines to those age 65 and older.
Now that the state is widening the criteria for vaccine access, Tanner’s only obstacle is vaccine supply.
“We can’t give vaccines that we don’t have,” said Howard. “But we’re holding nothing back. Ultimately, everyone in our region who wants a vaccine should be able to get one — and we hope most people want one.”
One of the major hurdles when it comes to COVID-19 vaccination is logistics.
Two of the three vaccines that have received emergency use authorization (EUA) from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) require specialized refrigeration to store; the mRNA vaccines must be kept extremely cold. They also require two doses to achieve maximum effect.
The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine — the first approved — must be kept in deep-freeze with two doses administered about three weeks apart. The Moderna vaccine also has to be kept frozen, with two doses administered about four weeks apart.
The Johnson & Johnson vaccine — the most recent with EUA — doesn’t have such rigorous storage requirements and can be completed in a single dose, but Tanner has received very few doses of that vaccine so far.
Once administered, those who receive the vaccine must be observed for at least 15 minutes to ensure there are no unexpected side effects. Social distancing requirements mean that those who are being observed must stay six feet apart.
Tanner also has to track who has received which vaccine, when they’re due for their second dose and make sure supply for those second doses is available.
“It’s a huge challenge,” said Denise Taylor, senior vice president and chief community health and brand officer at Tanner. “We have to account for keeping our vaccine inventory safe, the dosing we’ll need, the paperwork that has to accompany everyone being vaccinated, planning the second-dose clinics, ensuring we’re only giving vaccine to those who qualify, the clinical staff to administer the vaccine and observe those who receive it to ensure there are no complications, and communicate with all the stakeholders about registration, supply, availability and criteria.”
The health system has called on current staff, physicians, retired nurses and nursing students from the University of West Georgia to administer the vaccine. It’s also partnered with others in the community — like Tabernacle Baptist Church and Mill Town Music Hall — to serve as mass vaccination sites, where people can receive a vaccine indoors, socially distanced, and be safely observed.
“Everyone has stepped up in tremendous ways,” said Taylor. “This is a chance to give a shot that could save someone’s life. What a tremendous opportunity to have an impact.”
The health system plans to continue its vaccination clinics as long as it’s necessary, said Howard, expanding access in accordance with state guidelines until everyone who wants to be vaccinated can be. While Tanner can’t control how much vaccine it receives, it can keep rolling it out as quickly as possible.
“We’re going to administer vaccine just as fast as we get it,” he said. “This has been a long, hard year. We need people to wear masks, socially distance, wash their hands — and as soon as they can, to get vaccinated. We, too, miss seeing our loved ones, eating in restaurants, going to the movies. If we understand that we’re all in this together in fighting this virus — just like we were a year ago when our first cases arrived — we can get back to normal.”
More on Tanner’s vaccination efforts can be found at tanner.org/vaccine.
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Join Atrium Health Navicent in recognizing March as National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month 6:33 pmThe community is invited to join Navicent Health in recognizing March as National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. Colorectal cancer, also known as colon cancer, is the second most common cause of cancer death in the United States and affects 1 in 20 Americans. Incidence rates are particularly high among African-Americans, and the disease is very prevalent in the Southeast.
“This year, approximately 140,000 people will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer and 56,000 people will die from this disease,” said Dr. Douglas Brewer, Chief Medical Officer for Navicent Health Baldwin and a board-certified colorectal surgeon. “It is a highly preventable and treatable disease if caught early and an estimated 40,000 or more lives could be saved through screening and early treatment.”
Screening tests can find precancerous polyps that can be removed before they turn into cancer. For individuals of average risk, regular screenings are recommended to begin at age 45.
“The great paradox of screening exams like colonoscopy is that they have to be done before any symptoms develop, when patients often feel like the test is not necessary,” said Dr. Eli Penn, a gastroenterologist and an Associate Professor of Medicine at Mercer University. “There are no early warning signs. The precancerous colon polyps that are the targets of colonoscopy don’t often cause symptoms and are easily removed during the screening procedure. It’s cancer that causes bleeding and abdominal pain, and by that time, it is often invasive or metastatic.”
Routine screenings are available through a person’s primary care provider. For more information, please visit www.navicenthealth.org.
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.
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Southeast Georgia Health System Offering COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics in Brunswick and Kingsland 1:01 pmSoutheast Georgia Health System is offering Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine appointments for residents meeting current eligibility criteria at their Brunswick and Kingsland Vaccine Clinics. Appointments can be scheduled online at sghs.org/covid19-vaccine.
Brunswick Campus, Linda S. Pinson Conference Center
2415 Parkwood Drive, Brunswick
Every Wednesday and Saturday, 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Camden Community Recreation Center
1050 Wildcat Drive, Kingsland
Every Monday and Friday, 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Effective March 15, an expanded group of individuals may receive a COVID-19 vaccine.
Beginning March 15, 2021, the following populations will be eligible for COVID vaccination in Georgia:
o Asthma
o Cancer
o Cerebrovascular Disease
o Chronic Kidney Disease
o COPD
o Cystic Fibrosis
o Diabetes
o Hypertension
o Heart Conditions
o Immunocompromised State
o Liver Disease
o Neurologic Conditions
o Overweight and Obesity
o Pregnancy
o Pulmonary Fibrosis
o Sickle Cell Disease
o Thalassemia
Those receiving the vaccine must be available for a second dose 21 days later. Individuals receiving the vaccine must provide a form of identification, and should wear a shirt that provides access to their upper arm. Masks are required when in a Health System facility. Following the vaccination, recipients will be required to remain in an observation area for 15 minutes to ensure they do not experience any adverse reaction.
Even after receiving the vaccine, it remains extremely important to continue following safety protocols. Wear a mask, social distance, wash hands frequently and avoid large gatherings. Updated vaccine information is available on the Health System’s website at sghs.org/covid-19.
About Southeast Georgia Health System
Southeast Georgia Health System is a not-for-profit health system comprised of two acute care hospitals, two long term care facilities, two comprehensive Cancer Care Centers and multiple specialty care centers, including orthopaedic and spine care, joint replacement, breast care, maternity, outpatient rehabilitation, sleep management and wound care. The Brunswick Campus Cancer Care Center is accredited by the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer and offers the only CyberKnife® M6 with MLC technology in Georgia. Additionally, the Southeast Georgia Physician Associates medical group includes more than 140 providers working in 20 different medical specialties at more than 50 locations. For more information, visit sghs.org.
Thursday, March 11, 2021 marks one year since South Georgia Medical Center received confirmation of its first positive COVID-19 patient and entered the battle against the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic. As a public show of support for its healthcare workforce and to honor the lives lost, SGMC launched 30 days of light.
For 30 days, the Dasher Memorial Heart Center will don a blue glow, the color of hope to many, as a display of respect to for the unprecedented strength and resilience shown by SGMC’s workforce. This display of hope could not come at a more appropriate time, as access to vaccinations continues to increase across the region and COVID-19 hospitalizations steadily decline.
“We begin a new year with a renewed spirit filled with hope,” said SGMC President and Chief Executive Officer Ronald E. Dean. “We encourage all healthcare workforce members wherever you are and all communities of people throughout South Georgia to take a moment to reflect on this past year and its impact on our lives, but especially how much stronger we have become, united together to battle perhaps the most challenging healthcare conditions in a lifetime, to secure the health and wellbeing of our communities of people. A truly remarkable effort by each and every one throughout the region.”
While SGMC celebrates the 1,500 inpatients who have been treated and discharged by the SGMC team and thousands more who received life altering COVID-19 ambulatory care, Dean says it’s equally important that we remember and memorialize those who lost their lives from COVID-19. SGMC’s main water feature on the corner of Patterson Street and Pendleton Drive, will feature 275 solar lights, each light representing a life of an inpatient lost during their hospitalization.
Dean shared the team is extremely grateful for the support received from the community which has included kind words, thank you cards, meals, and more. “Our work against COVID-19 is not over, yet we have a hope for a brighter tomorrow because of the remarkable work of so many who serve as a part of our health delivery system.”
SGMC encourages citizens to take a moment over the next 30 days to drive by the facility to observe this display of remembrance, support and hope.
For more information on SGMC, visit sgmc.org.
Tanner Provides COVID-19 Vaccinations to Area School Districts 1:42 pmOn Wednesday, March 10, Tanner Health System provided COVID-19 vaccines for staff from Carroll County Schools, Carrollton City Schools, Oak Mountain Academy and Oak Grove Montessori.
“Tanner Health System’s partnership has been instrumental in allowing us to offer our employees the opportunity to receive the COVID-19 vaccine promptly,” said Scott Cowart, superintendent for the Carroll County School System. “We are fortunate to have tremendous support from our community to keep our students and staff safe and healthy while also providing premier in-person instruction.”
In all, more than 1,000 school staff received their first of two doses of COVID-19 vaccine at Tabernacle Baptist Church in Carrollton.
“Our school systems are essential in our efforts to get back to normal,” said Loy Howard, president and CEO of Tanner. “Our schools do so much not only for our children, but our families in general. We’re proud to be able to offer this level of protection for our local educators. It’s our goal to vaccinate everyone in our community. As soon as we receive vaccine, we open vaccination clinics. Ultimately, we want to provide a vaccine for everyone in our community who wants one.”
Next week, the health system plans to host a vaccination event in Bremen for Bremen City Schools staff.
The vaccination effort follows Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp’s March 8 decision to expand vaccination to school staff. For about two months, Tanner has been working to provide as many vaccines as possible to healthcare workers and Georgia residents age 65 and older, in accordance with state guidelines.
“Tanner has gone above and beyond to accommodate our local school systems with a simple, no-hassle process that made the large-scale vaccination logistics easy to navigate on our end,” said Dr. Mark Albertus, superintendent for Carrollton City Schools. “It alleviated a lot of anxiety and stress on our teachers, staff and the parents who trust us to keep their children safe. This is a community partnership at its finest.”
In addition to vaccinating educators, Tanner provided first and second doses to those 65 and above. Tanner will continue to plan upcoming vaccination clinics as supply allows. The health system relies on the state to determine how much vaccine it receives.
More on Tanner’s COVID-19 vaccination efforts can be found at tanner.org/vaccine.
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Wayne Memorial Hospital Receives $10,000 in Georgia HEART Funds via Windham Brannon, LLC 1:40 pm
Through the Georgia Rural Health Tax Program, Georgia HEART, Wayne Memorial recently received $10,000 via Windham Brannon, LLC. Pictured are Hospital Chief Financial Officer Greg Jones (left) and Windham Brannon Healthcare Advisory Business Development Director Chris Andersen (right) at the check presentation.
The state of Georgia’s rural hospitals have long been facing a financial crisis, jeopardizing the access of rural Georgians to adequate health care. As a result in 2016, the Georgia General Assembly passed, and Governor Nathan Deal signed into law, Senate Bill 258. This piece of legislation awards Georgia income tax credits to individual and corporate taxpayers who contribute to qualified rural hospital organizations located in Georgia.
“We aim to make a difference for healthcare providers because we know that, ultimately, we are serving patients and their communities. Everyone will be a patient at some point in their life, which is something we take to heart,” Danielle Epps, healthcare advisory practice co-leader at Windham Brannon said.
Participation in the Georgia HEART program is limited to Georgia rural hospitals that meet certain qualification criteria established in the law. These include population size (50,000 or less, excluding military personnel), tax-exempt status or public hospital authority management, acceptance of Medicare and Medicaid, and a minimum annual provision of indigent or uncompensated care. In order to qualify, rural hospitals must also file a five-year plan with the Georgia Department of Community Health.
“We are certainly grateful for this donation. The Georgia HEART program has been a blessing to us as well as our fellow rural hospitals throughout the state,” Jones said. Wayne Memorial is one of 14 Georgia hospitals to receive a $10,000 donation from Georgia HEART via Windham Brannon. See the full list.
Windham Brannon is a recognized leader in providing audit, tax, accounting and advisory services for businesses and individuals across several industries and practices. While the firm’s technical expertise is second to none, Windham Brannon offers clients so much more. Clients find a more proactive approach, more attention to their priorities and more investment in their relationship to ensure needs are anticipated—and met with confidence. Visit http://www.windhambrannon.com to see out how Windham Brannon is committed to offering more to you and your business.
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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