When it comes to strokes, seconds could be the difference between full recovery and long-term effects. For decades, people could rely on Northeast Georgia Medical Center (NGMC) to provide clot-busting drugs that might save their lives, but they would have to be transferred to other hospitals outside the region if other critical procedures were needed. Now – thanks to NGMC adding new technology and welcoming a new stroke expert – people can receive all the stroke care they need closer to home, saving valuable time and increasing the chances for recovery.

Sung Lee, MD, will perform critical stroke intervention procedures in NGMC Gainesville’s new Neurointerventional Lab. The lab features the latest stroke-fighting technology to perform mechanical thrombectomies, a procedure that uses small catheters and wires to remove blood clots from the brain. He is the only doctor in the northeast Georgia region performing the procedure, and the lab is the only one of its kind in the region.

“Even though we are grateful for our colleagues in Atlanta, the delay in getting to timely treatment was a real detriment to our community,” said Dr. Lee, a neurointerventional surgeon with Northeast Georgia Physicians Group (NGPG) and NGMC’s medical director of Neurointerventional Surgery. “This is a game-changer for how we not only treat strokes, but it also gives us the ability to perform other complex brain, spinal and vascular procedures. It’s the dawn of a new era of neurological care in Hall County and the surrounding region.”

In addition to providing round-the-clock care at NGMC Gainesville, Dr. Lee is also seeing patients at his NGPG practice in Gainesville. He received his medical degree from the Medical College of Georgia before completing a residency in neurology at the Mayo Clinic, a sub-specialty fellowship in neurocritical care and stroke at the University of California in San Francisco and an additional fellowship in neurointerventional radiology at Emory University. He is board certified in Neurology, Vascular Neurology and Neurocritical Care.

“We’re excited that Dr. Lee is helping lead our stroke team, as we continually push the boundaries to improve our services and make sure patients who come in with stroke symptoms receive the best and quickest treatment possible,” said Holley Adams, Stroke Program coordinator at NGMC Gainesville. “Our community is truly a safer place now that we offer this level of care.”

If you or a loved one suspect a stroke, remember the acronym BE FAST:

• Balance difficulties
• Eyesight changes
• Face drooping
• Arm weakness
• Speech slurring
• Time to call 911

For more information about recognizing the signs of stroke and to learn more about stroke care at NGMC, visit nghs.com/stroke-care. To learn more about NGPG Neurointerventional Surgery, call 770-219-6520 or visit ngpg.org.

###

You have to pay taxes, but do you know what your tax dollars are used for? It’s your money, and whether you’re taxed $50 or $50,000, you should have a choice on how it’s used or who it benefits, and now you do.

Georgia is the only state in the nation which is afforded the opportunity to financially support its rural hospitals–at no cost. Enacted by the Georgia General Assembly, the HEART (Helping to Enhance Access to Rural Treatment) rural hospital tax credit program allows a 100% state tax credit for individuals, married couples and corporations who redirect their tax liability to a designated rural hospital. Lawmakers enacted the HEART tax credit program to encourage taxpayers throughout Georgia to learn more about the financial and other challenges rural hospitals face and to contribute to improve their financial condition and patient offerings.

In other words, you can choose to help improve health care in your community by redirecting your state tax to the Southeast Georgia Health System Camden Campus through the Georgia HEART program.

Southeastern Bank recently took advantage of the HEART program, and graciously contributed $100,000 to the Health System’s Camden Campus.

“Southeastern Bank is proud to support the Southeast Georgia Health System Camden Campus through the rural hospital tax credit program,” said Con Holland, President and CEO of Southeastern Bank. “Our donation and others like it provide the means for rural hospitals to expand services, specialties and treatments so that one day patients in rural communities can receive all the care they need in hometown hospitals like the Camden Campus. When patients can get the skilled care they need locally, we all benefit from improved quality of life, economic growth and peace of mind. This is of particular interest to us because many of our customers and employees live in the rural markets we serve through our network of bank offices in southeast Georgia and northeast Florida.”

In 2019, the Health System used its HEART contributions to add 3D Mammography to the Camden Campus. Contributions received in 2020 have been applied towards the new Wound Care Center and ROSA, robotic surgical technology used for knee replacements.

Currently, 58 rural hospitals are eligible to receive HEART tax credit-eligible contributions from individuals and businesses across the state. Ameris Bank has donated $2,000,000 in financial support to 19 rural hospitals located throughout the bank’s footprint in Georgia, including $300,000 to the Southeast Georgia Health System Camden Campus.

“Contributions through the Georgia HEART program furthers our ability to provide quality health care for our community and the families we serve,” said Michael D. Scherneck, president and CEO, Southeast Georgia Health System. “It doesn’t matter how little the contribution is, it will truly make a difference by helping us better serve our patients, and improving the quality of life for our entire service area.”

But the 2020 opportunity will soon end. Applications must be submitted and approved by the Georgia Department of Revenue and tax liability contributions completed by December 31, 2020.

Follow these easy steps to sign up for your 100% tax credit:

• Complete and submit your 2020 HEART Tax Credit Form at GeorgiaHeart.org (takes two minutes!)
• Georgia HEART will submit your tax credit pre-approval form on your behalf to the Georgia Department of Revenue (DOR) in the order in which it is received.
• Submit your contribution via credit card or check made payable to Southeast Georgia Health System to Georgia HEART for deposit to the hospital’s account by December 31, 2020.
• Georgia HEART will report your contribution to the DOR on your behalf and will send you a tax receipt.
• You will claim the credit when you file your 2020 tax return.

Your contribution will increase Southeast Georgia Health System’s funding and ability to add new services, programs and technology to the Camden Campus.

For more information about the Georgia HEART rural hospital tax credit program, please visit GeorgiaHeart.org or sghs.org/gaheart.

About Southeast Georgia Health System
Southeast Georgia Health System is a not-for-profit health system comprised of two acute care hospitals, two long term care facilities, two comprehensive Cancer Care Centers and multiple specialty care centers, including orthopedic and spine care, joint replacement, breast care, maternity, outpatient rehabilitation, sleep management and wound care. The Brunswick Campus Cancer Care Center is accredited by the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer and offers the only CyberKnife^® M6 with MLC technology in Georgia. Additionally, the Southeast Georgia Physician Associates medical group includes more than 140 providers working in 20 different medical specialties at more than 50 locations. The Health System is part of Coastal Community Health, a regional affiliation between Baptist Health and Southeast Georgia Health System forming a highly integrated hospital network focused on significant initiatives designed to enhance the quality and value of care provided to our contiguous communities. In 2020, the Brunswick Campus was rated High Performing in COPD and Heart Failure by the U.S. News & World Report. For more information, visit sghs.org.

###

Halloween is traditionally a fun night for children across the U.S., but the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has left parents wondering if they should celebrate this year, and if so, how to celebrate safely. Pediatricians from Beverly Knight Olson Children’s Hospital, Navicent Health offer tips to celebrate a COVID Safe Halloween.

“It’s important to create as much normalcy for children as possible, while also taking steps to protect them from COVID-19. We encourage people to follow the guidelines set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and get creative in order to celebrate safely,” said Edward Clark, MD, Medical Director of BKO.

Pediatricians from BKO recommend the following tips to prevent the spread of COVID-19 this Halloween:

• Trick-or-treat with those in your household and stay at least six feet apart from celebrants who do not live in your household.
• Avoid direct contact with trick-or-treaters.
• Go outside to pass out treats.
• Wash your hands thoroughly for 20 seconds with warm water and soap before handing out treats.
• Instead of handing out treats, create individual treat bags and set up an outdoor station for children to take their own bag.
• Wear a cloth mask that covers the nose and mouth at all times.

“Be sure to wear a cloth mask that covers the nose and mouth to protect yourself and others from COVID-19. A standard Halloween costume mask is not a substitute for a cloth mask, and you should not wear a Halloween costume mask over a cloth mask – this can make breathing very difficult.  Instead, have fun incorporating a cloth mask into your costume! For example, dress up as a ninja or a healthcare worker,” said Katherine Duncan, MD, Director of Pediatric Advocacy and Global Health at BKO.

Pediatricians at BKO also ask parents and guardians to remember the general Halloween safety tips that have applied in year’s past and remain applicable this year. Those safety measures include the following:

• Adults should accompany younger children at all times. If teens plan to go out on their own, review their route in advance and agree on a specific time to return home.
• Cross streets at the corners, looking both ways before crossing. Obey traffic signals and remain within crosswalks.
• Decorate costumes and treat bags with reflective stickers, lights or glow sticks. Have children carry flashlights.
• Make sure costumes fit appropriately to avoid trips and falls. Select fire resistant costumes, wigs and accessories.
• Inspect all treats before consuming them to ensure wrappers are sealed and have not been tampered with. Do not accept homemade treats.

Those who may not feel comfortable trick-or-treating this year do not have to miss out on the festivities and fun. Pediatricians at BKO suggest the following trick-or-treat alternatives:

• Decorate your home as a family. Invite neighbors to compete in a decorating contest.
• Hold a neighborhood parade outdoors so everyone can show of their costume while maintaining social distancing.
•  Visit a pumpkin patch. Carve pumpkins with the members of your household, or outside with friends and neighbors.
• Go on an outdoor, Halloween-themed scavenger hunt.
• Have a spooky movie marathon with members of your household. Let each member choose a movie.
• Hide Halloween treats around your home and have a treat hunt with members of your household.

“Although we need to make adjustments to the way we celebrate this year, there are still plenty of opportunities to have a fun and safe holiday,” said Dr. Clark.

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 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.

###

This October, St. Mary’s Hospital in Athens and St. Mary’s Sacred Heart Hospital in Lavonia are providing free, fresh food to people in need in our community.

Under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that the Farmers to Families Food Box Program will distribute up to $3 billion worth of fresh produce, dairy, and meat products to families in need. USDA identified eligible counties within each state, and two St. Mary’s hospitals are located in counties eligible to receive food boxes: St. Mary’s Hospital in Clarke County and Sacred Heart Hospital in Franklin County.

St. Mary’s is collaborating in this special community event with Metz Culinary Management, the system’s regional food service vendor, and with Sysco Atlanta. Every food box is 30-40 pounds of fresh fruit, vegetables, dairy, meat and eggs.

Each hospital has approximately 1,250 food boxes to distribute to families in need of food on a first-come, first-served basis. No documentation, identification or paperwork is needed to receive the food box.

St. Mary’s Health Care System Farmers-to-Families dates

• Friday, Oct. 30, 9 a.m.-noon: Sacred Heart Hospital, 367 Clear Creek Dr, Lavonia, GA 30553. Please drive towards the left side of hospital near the Wellness Center to the distribution site. You may remain in your vehicle and the food box will be placed in your backseat or trunk.
• Saturday, Oct. 31, 9 a.m.-noon, St. Mary’s Hospital, 139 Alps Road, Athens, GA 30606. Please drive through the Alps or Broad Street entrances. The distribution site will be on St. Mary’s campus behind Zoe’s Kitchen. You may remain in your vehicle and the food box will be placed in your backseat or trunk.

For more information, please contact Tamara Bourda, Regional Vice President, Community Health and Well-Being, at tamara.bourda@stmarysathens.org.

#   #   #

Northeast Georgia Medical Center (NGMC) is the only hospital in Georgia to receive one of the highest levels of recognition for using technology to improve healthcare quality and cost.

The College of Healthcare Information Management Executives (CHIME) included NGMC on its annual list of Healthcare’s Most Wired for 2020. This is the seventh year NGMC has made the list, and it’s the first year it received Level 9 certification alongside healthcare leaders like Mayo Clinic, Johns Hopkins and UCLA Health.

“While NGMC is always honored to be included on the Most Wired list, this year’s recognition is particularly meaningful,” says Chris Paravate, Northeast Georgia Health System’s Chief Information Officer. “Technology has played a critical role in helping us rapidly transform care delivery as we adapted to the changing needs of our community during the COVID-19 pandemic.” 

The Most Wired program conducts an annual survey to assess how effectively healthcare organizations apply information technologies into their clinical and business programs to improve patient safety and outcomes in their communities. Level 9 organizations have deployed advanced technologies like population health/cost-of-care analytics, tools to efficiently share data across different electronic health records, patient portals to help people access their health information – and use them to improve clinical outcomes and efficiency.

“Having a solid technology foundation has allowed us to expand our services in 2020 to offer video visits, improved ways to find our physicians online, improved consults between different hospitals and more,” says Paravate. “We have ambitious plans to keep improving those tools and finding more ways to use technology to help improve our community’s health in 2021.”

Learn more about the 2020 Most Wired Survey at chimecentral.org. 

###

ABOUT NORTHEAST GEORGIA MEDICAL CENTER

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 700 beds and more than 1,100 medical staff members representing more than 50 specialties. NGMC is part of Northeast Georgia Health System, a non-profit that cares for more than 1 million people across more than 18 counties. Learn more at www.nghs.com.

Thanks front-line healthcare workers, learns about open heart expansion

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp was in Carrollton Wednesday, paying a visit to Tanner Medical Center/Carrollton to learn more about how community hospitals have responded to the COVID-19 pandemic and to talk to the healthcare workers on the front lines of the pandemic.

“COVID-19 has presented unprecedented challenges across our state,” Gov. Kemp told a multidisciplinary group of healthcare workers in the intensive care unit at Tanner Medical Center/Carrollton — where many of the region’s most acutely ill COVID-19 patients received care. “It’s something we’ve all been through, but you’ve been on the front lines. Thank you for all you’ve done.”

The governor was escorted into the ICU by a group of physicians and senior leadership representatives who have been at the forefront of the health system’s COVID-19 response.

“Let’s meet some of our heroes,” said Tanner President and CEO Loy Howard, wrapping an arm around ICU nurse manager Nancy Harris, CCRN.

On the unit, Gov. Kemp met with a group of nurses, environmental services staff, respiratory therapists, palliative care nurses, pharmacists and others, hearing their concerns on staffing, taking precautions to stop the spread of the virus and supply shortages.

He also heard from staff who faced challenges beyond the in-hospital challenges of the pandemic, including those who stayed away from home for months at a time to prevent bringing the virus into their house and those facing homeschooling children while fighting on the front lines of the virus.

“I have three daughters myself,” said Gov. Kemp. “There’s going to be a generational effect like we’ll never know.”

The governor was led through the hospital by several physicians who have been deeply involved in battling the pandemic while continuing to push ahead with expanding healthcare services in the region.

“Our whole community responded,” said Laura Larson, MD, an infectious disease specialist and medical director of infection prevention for Tanner. “I came into a room with a COVID-19 patient wearing one of our reusable green gowns. The lady told me, ‘I made that gown. We prayed over every one of those before we sent them out.’ And she recovered; she did well.”

On the ICU, the governor also saw several new rooms that were added during the pandemic and heard about how the hospital had converted other rooms to negative pressure, enabling the facility to safely care for COVID-19 patients without the risk of spreading the virus throughout the hospital.

“We really appreciate the Department of Community Health for helping hospitals open bed capacity,” said Howard. “That’s been vital to helping hospitals like ours expand the inpatient capacity we needed to handle a surge in patients.”

The governor also toured the hospital’s surgical services unit, which was largely shuttered during the pandemic but has returned to life the past several months.

Alyssa Howard, MD, an anesthesiologist and Tanner’s chief of staff, said locking down the surgical services unit was concerning but necessary.

“We knew some folks could wait one month,” Dr. Howard said, “but not two.”

Testing, said Dr. Howard, was imperative to reopening healthcare services — especially testing that offered faster results.

“If we test on a Thursday, and they go to the beach over the weekend and have a procedure scheduled for Tuesday, that doesn’t work,” Dr. Howard said. “We need to know if they could be sick right before the procedure. Having a faster result is critical.”

The governor also learned more about Tanner’s plans to expand open-heart surgical care to west Georgia — the most populous part of Georgia without an open-heart program.

In recent years, Tanner has expanded lifesaving interventional cardiology services — like angioplasty and stenting — from Carrollton to Villa Rica and established accredited chest pain centers in both cities.

Late last year, the health system earned state approval to develop an open-heart surgery program at Tanner Medical Center/Carrollton.

Shazib Khawaja, MD, medical director of interventional cardiology at Tanner, explained to the governor how essential open-heart surgical care was to opening a comprehensive heart care program in the region.

“Lately, COVID-19 has taken center stage, but we’re pushing forward,” said Christopher Arant, MD, also an interventional cardiologist and a member of Tanner’s board of directors. “People tell us that they don’t want to go to Atlanta for these services. It’s in the interest of the community to stay local.”

“This is the right time for us,” said Tanner CEO Howard. “Heart disease is the leading cause of death in our region; comprehensive heart care will save lives.”

More information on Tanner’s services and news can be found at tanner.org.

###

Northeast Georgia Health System (NGHS) is happy to offer a new service to help patients transition from the hospital to their homes. Effective Oct. 1, NGHS and LHC Group, the preferred in-home healthcare partner for 350 leading hospitals around the country, will partner to launch Northeast Georgia Home Health in Gainesville.

“We are thrilled to partner with LHC Group to bridge the gap in NGHS’s continuum of care, ensuring our North Georgia region has access to a full range of services within our health system,” said Carol Burrell, president and CEO of NGHS. “Providing this in-home care is another way we’re achieving our mission of improving the health of our community in all we do.”

Northeast Georgia Home Health serves patients and families in Gainesville and the North Georgia region with high-quality, affordable healthcare services in the privacy and comfort of their home.

Based in Lafayette, Louisiana, LHC Group is a leading national provider of in-home healthcare services with 32,000 employees operating in 35 states and the District of Columbia – reaching 60% of the U.S. population aged 65 and older.

“Our LHC Group family looks forward to expanding our services in the state of Georgia by partnering with a respected, high-quality healthcare organization like Northeast Georgia Health System,” said Keith Myers, chairman and CEO of LHC Group. “With our combined talent, experience and resources, we will be able to provide care to more patients and families in Gainesville and across the region.”

Northeast Georgia Home Health will help patients regain strength and independence and attain the quality of life they deserve. It will offer valuable guidance and support, providing the educational tools and resources patients and families need to make informed decisions on care for themselves or loved ones.

If you have questions about Northeast Georgia Home Health or would like more information, please visit nghs.com/home-health or call 770-297-0041.

###

South Georgia Medical Center honored the Emergency Department and Emergency Medical Services as Hospital Heroes at the Hospital Authority of Valdosta Lowndes County Board meeting last week.

According to Chief Nursing Officer Randy Smith, “We are currently in the middle of a worldwide pandemic of unprecedented proportions and today it truly is fitting to recognize these healthcare professionals as our Hospital Heroes. They are out on the front lines of this fight, they adapted practices to keep themselves and their patients safe, all the while continuing to serve their communities and support the South Georgia Health System.”

Smith said that SGMC EMS have responded to 357 patients suspected of having covid-19. ED staff have delivered care with courage, dedication, teamwork and extraordinary compassion.

“I am overwhelmed by the unquestionable strength of character demonstrated by these teams, “said Smith. “When times are tough, heroes emerge and you are all truly heroes.”

Former SGMC nurse and Hospital Authority Board member Shirley Garland took a moment to thank the teams and their family members who also play a role in this fight.

The group received a resounding standing ovation.

###

Though processes, services and visitation look and feel different, you can be confident that Hamilton Health Care System (HHCS) will continue to provide safe care.

“We are seeing a lot more people coming back into the hospital for screenings, surgeries and other necessary healthcare,” said Sandy McKenzie, COO. “It’s important to remember that delaying care, whether testing or treatment, could be detrimental to your health, or at least cause extended discomfort in some cases. We’re taking many extra steps to keep you and our associates safe.”

HHCS is following CDC guidelines and has put a number of measures in place to help keep patients and support people safe. When patients arrive at Hamilton Medical Center (HMC), they are greeted by a staff member who take their temperature, screen for COVID-19 symptoms and provide hand sanitizer.

In addition, staff have the same screening procedures in place and wear masks and other appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) as needed.

“We’ve seen that masks and other appropriate PPE have been very effective in protecting patients and staff members as well as preventing the spread of the virus,” said Peri Correll, director of Infection Prevention.

Bill Evans recently traveled to HMC from Atlanta to have his total knee joint replacement surgery. “I felt very safe,” he said. “The hospital is the safest place to be. I never once felt uncomfortable.” Evans said that everything went well. “Everyone was super nice. It couldn’t have been a better experience.”

HMC continues to practice social distancing (including decals on floors and furniture) to prevent people from getting within 6 feet of each other. There are additional sanitizing stations throughout the facility, and Xenex germ-zapping robots use high-powered UV light to kill 99.9 percent of bacteria and viruses on surfaces. Staggered appointments are used to minimize the number of people in a given area, and patients who have tested positive for COVID-19 are kept in a separate, protected area in the hospital.

In addition to HMC, other Hamilton Physician Group and other Hamilton Health Care System locations have added screening, social distancing, additional sanitizing, staggered appointments and face mask requirements for all patients, support people and staff.

“We understand that many people have delayed care during the last few months due to COVID-19,” said McKenzie. “But it’s important to get the healthcare that you need. We are totally committed to providing the safest and highest level of care.”

Phyllis Stephens, chief operating officer for the Greater Dalton Chamber of Commerce, recently had an endoscopy procedure. “I’m glad I didn’t delay my procedure,” said Stephens. “As a patient, I felt very comfortable and safe when I arrived. The check-in and admittance were quick and my nurse took great care of me as she prepped me for the procedure.”

HHCS is encouraging everyone to continue taking precautions to avoid an increase in infections. “Please continue to take precautions when going out into the community,” McKenzie said. “Avoid crowded areas, wear a mask when in public, wash your hands often and remember to social distance. We all want this virus to be gone. Please be safe.”

###

Navicent Health has increased its internal minimum wage from $7.25 per hour to $10.00 per hour, investing $1.2 million into the lives and careers of its teammates. Hourly workers will benefit from the increase, which exceeds the federal government’s minimum pay requirements.

“At Navicent Health, we base our decisions on three categories – strategy, operations and people. Of these, our people are the most important. The decision to increase our internal minimum wage moves hundreds of teammates payed by the hour to a living wage. We’re thrilled to make this investment in our people, particularly during a time when so many individuals and organizations are struggling,” said Dr. Ninfa M. Saunders, President and CEO of Navicent Health.

Navicent Health, in partnership with its collaborative partner Atrium Health, is beginning the process of transitioning teammates from a minimum wage to a living wage. The first step in this process is establishing an internal minimum wage for all Navicent Heath teammates. Any teammate currently earning less than $10.00 per hour will receive a pay increase to align with the health system’s new internal minimum wage of $10.00 per hour. The increase went into effect on September 6, 2020 and will appear on affected teammates’ paychecks on September 25, 2020.

The pay increase ensures that starting wages at Navicent Health are competitive among local employers and within the healthcare field. Navicent Health is currently hiring for a number of positions at locations across central Georgia. To view available job opportunities, please visit https://navicenthealth-careers.hctsportals.com/.

As a major employer and catalyst for the local and state economy, the increase also demonstrates Navicent Health’s and Atrium Health’s shared commitment to invest in the region’s economy.

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 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.

###