Communicare - Fall 2017

Communicare Northeast Georgia Health System

FALL 2017

Improving the health of our community in all we do

In This Issue:

Saving Harley: A Rare Treatment Saves a Young Mom’s Life Respecting Choices for End-of-Life Care Taking Medical Training on the Road Enhancing Care at Good News Clinics

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contents Our Journey Continues

Building a Stronger and Healthier Community

From Our President

Saving Harley

Respecting Choices

2 3 4 5-6 7-9

New Physicians

10

Enhancing Care at Good News Clinics

Healing Music

11-12

Let’s Go Mobile

15-16

Philanthropy for Good

17-18

Braselton’s Campaign

19-20

Medical Center Foundation Leadership

21-22

13-14

26th Annual Medical Center Open

23

Join the Journey

24

Auxiliary Events

25-26

Community Benefit Report

27-32

Foundation Happenings

33-34

Donor Listing

35-43

ON THE COVER: Thanks to a life-saving cardiovascular treatment called ECMO, Harley is healthy, thriving and enjoying time with daughter, Olivia.

743 Spring Street NE Gainesville, GA 30501 770-219-9000 nghs.com

OUR MISSION

“Improving the health of our community in all we do” OUR THANKS TO BOARD CHAIRS Rich White

Hospital Authority of Hall County & City of Gainesville

RK Whitehead

Northeast Georgia Health System

John Nix

Northeast Georgia Medical Center

LeTrell Simpson

The Medical Center Foundation

LeeAnn LoCicero

The Medical Center Auxiliary

Bill Sanders

Northeast Georgia Health System Advisory Board

If you would like a free subscription, please call 770-219-3840 or visit nghs.com/communicare

This organization does not discriminate against any patient because of race, creed, color, national origin, age, sex, disability or because a patient is covered by a program such as Medicare or Medicaid.

Communicare is a health education magazine published by the Public Relations department for the community.

EDITORIAL STAFF: Sean Couch, director Kristin Grace, specialist & editor

Staci Tunkel, The Medical Center Foundation Gregg Carson, designer

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OUR JOURNEY CONTINUES According to Lao Tzu’s famous saying, the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. In 1999, The Medical Center Foundation took that first step to launch Healthy Journey, a series of community-wide fundraising campaigns aimed at improving healthcare services and programs for northeast Georgians.

From Safe Kids to cancer care, the original Healthy Journey sought to fund initiatives chosen by The Medical Center Foundation’s board of trustees, and thought to have the greatest impact on the health of the entire community. It was through this Healthy Journey campaign that the first gift designated for the development of an open-heart program was entrusted to the Foundation, serving as a catalyst for the creation of the Ronnie Green Heart Center. Fast forward 18 years, and Northeast Georgia Medical Center (NGMC) is proud to be ranked Georgia’s #1 Heart Hospital, for 12 consecutive years — and it all started with Healthy Journey.

As the region and Northeast Georgia Health System (NGHS) have continued to grow, philanthropy’s key role in mapping a way to a healthier future has remained. Raising more than $55 million since 1999, Healthy Journey campaigns and The Medical Center Foundation’s family of donors have funded an impressive array of initiatives. The projects below represent just a few of the services, programs and equipment made possible through Healthy Journey.

Knowing that 100 percent of all gifts received by The Medical Center Foundation go directly to funding initiatives, donors are confident their desire to improve the health of the community will continue to impact future generations.

It is with great excitement that The Medical Center Foundation announces the newest Healthy Journey funding initiatives. At a time of unprecedented growth for NGHS, this issue of Communicare is solely dedicated to our Healthy Journey, which will provide philanthropic support to help serve more than 800,000 residents across an expansive 18-county region. This is a journey that will truly impact the lives of our families, friends and future residents of northeast Georgia.

The first step along the journey is to learn about the new funding initiatives, bear witness to the personal stories accompanying each project and then thoughtfully consider how these projects will impact you, your family and neighbors. In addition to the new initiatives, The Medical Center Foundation’s donors fund ongoing projects for the community. There are many opportunities through volunteerism and philanthropy to be part of the Healthy Journey — and it is only through the generosity of the communities we serve that the journey continues. We hope you will join us.

W.D. Stribling Heart Clinic Fraser Resource Center Safe Kids Gainesville/Hall County Walters Auditorium Digital Mammography Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Lifeline Henry Edward Braselton Chapel Nathan-Schrage Teaching Center Nursing and Allied Health Scholarships da Vinci Surgical Robotic System Sam Jones Cath Observation Unit Woody Stewart Heart Failure Treatment Unit Expansion of the Ronnie Green Heart Center Of course, this journey of a thousand miles has not been a solitary one. Multitudes of community volunteers, first-time donors and life-long philanthropists have joined together with the Foundation to ensure continued healthcare excellence for this region.

Learn more at TheMedicalCenterFoundation.org/Healthy-Journey

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Building a Stronger and Healthier Community

By LeTrell Simpson, Chair, The Medical Center Foundation

Back when the local paper’s newsroom echoed with the rapid fire of typewriters and the chirping ringers of the first push-button telephones, I was working as a reporter at The Gainesville Times. John Ferguson, the young president of our town’s hospital, knew me from my work on the local beat and approached me with a job offer. The healthcare organization was growing rapidly, and so was the community it served. John believed that the future success of both the hospital and community were intricately linked, which necessitated a Public Relations department to create new ways for the hospital and community to stay connected.

Mine was among the first of such positions in the state. I took him up on the offer and was proud to work for Northeast Georgia Health System (NGHS) for most of my professional career.

One of the highlights of my 30-plus years with NGHS was working, in earnest, to develop philanthropic support of the System’s mission to improve the health of our community in all we do. The community had always financially contributed to the hospital, from sandwiches donated to raise money for special purchases to providing bond support for major additions. However, budget constraints still meant there were times we had to forego improvements that would benefit area residents. We knew members of this generous community would gladly help us make such improvements if they were aware of the need.

From the gap between need and support, the idea of The Medical Center Foundation was born.

We started slowly, but with the hiring of Nancy Colston, the Foundation began to undergo tremendous growth. Nancy is a lifetime resident of northeast Georgia who had served as vice president of Human Resources for HCA, which owned Lanier Park Hospital. Though she had no fundraising experience, she had a deep love for northeast Georgia and knew how philanthropy could improve care. She also knew that philanthropy shapes the way a community views itself. In some great mystery, we ourselves are enriched when we give back.

From our research, we learned that the community not only wanted to help us improve services, but also add new programs and services that would benefit our regional patient base. The initial gift for the Ronnie Green Heart Center was a significant contribution that has not only impacted, but also raised the level of services throughout the organization. Being recognized as the #1 Heart Hospital for 12 consecutive years is a direct result of a signature gift from Lillie Mae and Frank Green.

To this day, numerous clinical gifts continue to enhance the quality of care by funding services the System would not have otherwise been able to provide.

Through other signature gifts, our community and patients now have access to beautiful healing gardens, chapels and art collections that help care for the mind and spirit, as well as the body. Patients and families sitting in the garden or stopping for prayer in the chapel find their experience in these unexpected destinations nurtures the soul and provides respite in stressful situations — all of which have only been possible through the generous support of our community.

The community also emphasized the importance of providing services beyond the walls of the hospital by rallying support for agencies that help the most vulnerable. With assistance, The Medical Center Foundation has raised millions for agencies like The Boys and Girls Club, the Salvation Army, Challenged Child and many other organizations that work to improve the health of our community.

This year, I accepted the honor of serving as board chair for The Medical Center Foundation. I will be following in the huge footsteps of three community leaders. The late Nell Whelchel Wiegand was our founding chair and served the System for more than 60 years in many areas of volunteer leadership. Once she had the Foundation up and running, she turned it over to the late W. Woodrow “Woody” Stewart, who devoted 14 years as chair, telling the story of how philanthropy is the difference between a good hospital and a great hospital. I follow Jim Moore, my predecessor, who worked tirelessly over the past five years to take philanthropy to a new level and still today follows up on leads for us. Physicians, Health System employees, volunteers and the community-at-large have worked together to make The Medical Center Foundation a successful organization often emulated by other non-profits.

In this special issue of Communicare, you will learn more about The Medical Center Foundation’s current funding initiatives. I invite you to join our family of donors and volunteers in our efforts to build a stronger, healthier northeast Georgia.

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from our president Have you ever thought about life as a journey? As we go about our days, it’s interesting to think about the journey we’re on and what we can do to improve the path along the way.

For me, that means living each day with the goal of leaving a positive footprint in the world — both personally and professionally. I’m thankful to see so many others in our community have a similar goal, as evidenced by our beautiful surroundings and state-of-the-art technology here at Northeast Georgia Health System (NGHS).

The Halls of Honor, both at Northeast Georgia Medical Center (NGMC) Braselton and Gainesville, gleam with generosity, honoring those who have selflessly given to The Medical Center Foundation to better our organization and the care we provide. The peaceful gardens surrounding our hospital campuses and the advanced technologies in our patient care settings also pay tribute to the community’s giving spirit.

This journey, however, will never be complete. We can, and should always, seek to improve our surroundings. There are new technologies and new services that will help us better serve our patients — some of which can only happen through philanthropic support.

As you explore this special issue of Communicare, devoted solely to our Healthy Journey, you’ll learn about ECMO, a life-saving cardiovascular treatment that saved a young mother and her

unborn daughter (page 5). You’ll also read about two families whose hard decisions about endof-life care were made a little easier through advance care planning (pages 7 through 9). Then, on page 11, we’ll share with you how Epic, a new electronic medical record system, will help better serve both our patients and Good News Clinics, a free medical and dental clinic right here in Hall County.

Incredibly, some methods of healing come from our very own talents. On page 13, you’ll hear how some of our volunteers use their musical talents to provide a healing environment within the walls of our patient rooms. And last, but certainly not least, Dr. Appel gives a compelling case for why NGMC should use medical simulation (page 15).

I’m humbled as I look around and see the tremendous support our community has already given The Medical Center Foundation since the launch of the very first Healthy Journey campaign in 1999. I hope you’ll join us as we embark upon our next Healthy Journey campaign. Together, we can create a better community for ourselves, our families and future generations to come.

Until next time,

Carol H. Burrell President & CEO

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Saving Harley Harley Cook was on a ventilator in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of Northeast Georgia Medical Center (NGMC) Gainesville, fighting for her life. The day before, she had been the picture of health as she posed for her 34-week pregnancy selfie to document her rounding belly and the growth of her unborn daughter, Olivia. Suddenly, she spiked a high fever and was rushed to the emergency room.

“A blood test revealed I had H1N1, or swine flu,” Harley explains. “That night in the hospital, I started having a really hard time breathing. I remember my boyfriend, Matt, alerting the doctors, but I don’t remember much after that.”

Harley’s condition quickly became critical, and doctors made a decision to perform an emergency C-section to save baby Olivia. Harley was placed on a ventilator, but her condition did not improve — in fact her health continued to rapidly decline. Pulmonologist Craig Brown, MD, of Northeast Georgia Diagnostic Clinic, contacted Allison Dupont, MD, of The Heart Center of NGMC, and the two worked with other members of the hospital team to gain emergency privileges to begin extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in an effort to save Harley’s life. ECMO is a process of removing blood from the patient, then oxygenating and rewarming the blood before returning it to the patient’s body. The equipment does the work of the lungs while the body heals, and for some patients, ECMO can also be used to aid heart function.

“Because the necessary oxygen wasn’t getting to her tissues, Harley’s heart and other organs had started to fail,” says Dr. Dupont. “We had tried to find a neighboring hospital with an available ECMO bed, but they were full, and the odds were that Harley would die before we could safely transport her there, even if one had been available.”

Dr. Dupont went to the ICU to talk with Harley’s family.

“That conversation was very hard,” she says. “We told them that, without ECMO, Harley was certainly going to die. With it, she may die. And she was going to be the first patient that we had on ECMO here at NGMC, because it was brand new to us.”

The ECMO service was so new, in fact, that even though NGMC had the machine, it had not been officially approved for use yet.

Amount Requested

$500K

for two ECMO units.

Primary Objective

With emergency privileges and family consent granted, the hospital team sprang into action to save Harley’s life. She remained on ECMO for five days before being weaned.

“My first question when I woke up was, ‘where’s Olivia?’,” says Harley, remembering the fear of realizing she was no longer pregnant. “I was terrified that we had lost her, but Matt told me she was fine. When I finally got to hold her, it all seemed so unreal.”

“Reuniting Harley with Olivia was a really special moment,” says Dr. Dupont. “There’s no question that, without ECMO, Harley would have died. Little Olivia wouldn’t have her mom today, if not for ECMO.” Currently, there are only 22 ECMO beds available in the metro-Atlanta area — two of which are at NGMC. To date, 19 patients at NGMC have already benefited from ECMO. “While NGMC is extremely fortunate to have two units, we also understand the need for more — especially given a hospital system that serves more than 800,000 people,” says Louis Smith, Jr., president of NGMC Gainesville.“There may be times when both units are in use, meaning a third patient who needs the care would not be able to receive this life-saving support at NGMC. We want to do our best to make sure that never happens, which is why we requested $500,000 from The Medical Center Foundation to fund the purchase of two new ECMO units over time.”

“ECMO is an amazing technology for the sickest of the sick,” Dr. Dupont adds. “We’re seeing more critically ill patients every day, and being able to offer the best possible care means having access to technologies like ECMO. Adding more units and training staff to provide the needed support will allow the hospital to care for more patients in our region and save more lives.”

“There’s no question that, without ECMO, Harley would have died.

Little Olivia wouldn’t have her mom today, if not for ECMO.” – Dr. Allison Dupont

to expand current ECMO program to four units. This life-saving system provides supportive therapy to a patient, temporarily taking over lung function for a defined period of time, and allowing physical recovery from injury or disease.

Impact: Increase the number of lives that can be saved by ECMO. nghs.com 05

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Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a treatment that uses a pump to circulate blood through an artificial lung back into the bloodstream. During ECMO, blood is drained from the vascular system, circulated outside the body by a mechanical pump and then re-infused into circulation. This system has been used on infants for years and is now used on adults whose lungs cannot provide oxygen to their blood. It is a highly complicated process and can only be performed by clinicians with training and experience in its initiation, maintenance and discontinuation. ECMO is a supportive therapy, rather than a disease-modifying treatment in itself, providing oxygenated blood to sustain life during medical interventions, or while the body heals from disease or injury. donate by visiting TheMedicalCenterFoundation.org/ECMO

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CHOICES

RESPECTING

GORDON’S STORY For years, the sound of Gordon Sawyer’s deep, raspy voice on the radio was a cue for northeast Georgians to turn up the volume and turn their attention away from the day’s stresses. Through his Common Sense Chronicles, broadcast from a “window on Green Street,” Gordon discussed politics, laughed at his own jokes and reminded listeners of the shared heritage and common human experiences that unite a community rich with history. The Georgia Tech graduate, Naval officer and World War II Veteran built a successful advertising agency before authoring multiple books and splitting his time as a columnist and radio personality.

“DAD WAS GENUINELY INTERESTED IN EVERYONE HE MET AND WANTED HIS CHILDREN TO SHARE HIS PASSION FOR PEOPLE,” SAYS EDWIN, ONE OF GORDON’S THREE SONS. Gordon and Jean, his wife of 65 years, shared a special tradition of celebrating happy hour together each day at 5 p.m.

“They’d stop what they were doing just to spend time together,” says Edwin’s wife, Cathryn. “Once you became an adult, you were invited to attend. One Sunday, I called and offered to come by for happy hour. Gordon he said he wasn’t really feeling like it today, but I could come if I wanted to.

That was not like Gordon at all; his response put me on high alert, so I went to see him.”

At 89 years old, Gordon was in excellent health. He had battled prostate cancer and recovered well.

But, when Cathryn visited him, he told her he had been having difficulty breathing. A trip to Northeast Georgia Medical Center Gainesville’s emergency department confirmed their concerns — Gordon had pneumonia and was very ill.

“We were hopeful he would overcome the pneumonia, so we agreed to the temporary use of a ventilator,” Cathryn explained. “But Gordon had been very clear in his advance directives that he didn’t want his life artificially extended — and Jean reminded us of this several times.”

So after days with no sign of improvement, the family made the tough choice to turn the ventilator off.

“IT WAS A DIFFICULT DECISION, EVEN KNOWING WHAT GORDON WANTED,” SAYS CATHRYN. “WE WERE GRATEFUL HE’D BEEN SO CLEAR IN HIS PLANNING. WE WERE ABLE TO SAY OUR GOODBYES PEACEFULLY, KNOWING WE WERE HONORING HIS WISHES.” Gordon’s advance directive helped guide the Sawyer family in their medical decision-making for Gordon’s endof-life care.

“Thanks to this advance planning, we knew every detail Gordon wanted at his service: the songs played, who the pallbearers would be (his grandsons), and even a poem that was to be read — one he’d written himself for us,” Cathryn says.

“At the end of every radio segment, Dad would close with a blessing,” Edwin adds. “It was from an old Irish prayer that life would not be unnecessarily difficult, that unseen forces would move you forward, and it closed with the phrase, ‘May the wind always be at your back.’ It was just like Dad to make even the hardest times, like losing him, less difficult for us through his kindness and thoughtfulness.”

The late Gordon Sawyer and his wife of 65 years, Jean.

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CHOICES

RESPECTING

Grace was a high school senior when she started dating Dale Duncan, the man who would become her husband. Dale was two years ahead of her in school, a freshman at the University of Kentucky, and the two had known each other their entire lives.

“I NEVER REALLY THOUGHT HIGHLY OF HIM,” GRACE LAUGHS. “AS A MATTER OF FACT, I DIDN’T LIKE HIM AT ALL WHEN WE WERE IN HIGH SCHOOL. BUT, HE HAD GROWN UP A LOT DURING HIS FIRST YEAR IN COLLEGE, AND I DECIDED TO GIVE HIM A CHANCE.”

The two went on to study at Murray State University.

They graduated as occupational safety and health engineers, and Dale began working in the poultry industry.

The couple married and had two sons, later moving to Gainesville when Dale took a promotion that brought them to the poultry capital of the world.

“Dale was always so healthy and quick-witted,” Grace says. “He was strong, very generous, physically active and really funny. So when he started to behave differently through things that just weren’t typical of his personality, I knew something was wrong.”

A work-up with a neuropsychologist revealed Dale had early signs of dementia — a progressive, degenerative disease that gradually destroys the brain’s ability to communicate, reason and carry out daily activities.

“We were devastated,” Grace recalls. While she and Dale had previously completed advance directives, they had not been updated in many years.

“I reached out to a friend who connected me with lawyers at her firm,” Grace says. “She wisely suggested we continue advance planning before Dale’s condition worsened and he could no longer tell us what he wanted.

“I watched Dale tell the attorney exactly what he wanted. I heard his voice and saw him sign the paperwork. And when it came down to it, it was still tough to know if I was doing the right thing. But Dale had made his wishes known, and I wanted to honor him.”

The family later found out Dale also had intestinal cancer which, over the next year, eventually spread to his bones.

“The bad news just kept coming, so we made a decision to take a family vacation to the beach,” says Grace. “Family flew in from all over the country, and we had a great time together.

“Dale had been very specific. He wanted to donate his brain for research. And he didn’t want flowers; he wanted gifts made to Augusta University’s Movement and Memory Disorders Program. He didn’t want other people to suffer what he had — that was part of his legacy.”

“DALE TOLD US EVERYTHING — DOWN TO THE MUSIC HE WANTED TO LISTEN TO AS HE WAS PASSING,” GRACE RECALLS. “CAT STEVENS ECHOED AROUND OUR HOUSE. WE USED THE SONG, ‘THE WIND’, AT HIS MEMORIAL SERVICE, JUST AS HE’D ASKED.” On July 1, 2017, at just 56 years old, Dale Duncan took his last breath.

“We’ve been together practically my entire life,” Grace says.

“And we’d always talked about everything.

But talking isn’t the same as permanently recording it for us follow. We didn’t have to speculate about what he wanted, because he’d told us. The final decision was his.

“He’d told me and the boys that he wanted part of his ashes spread back home in Kentucky and part of them here in Georgia. And that’s what we did.”

The late Dale Duncan with wife, Grace, and their two sons.

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Amount Requested

$250K

to assist with the costs of implementing the Gunderson Respecting Choices® advance care planning model.

Primary Objective

to create a culture of open discussion about end-oflife care in northeast Georgia, so care is patient-centric and families are relieved of decision-making stressors and unnecessary use of expensive resources.

Impact: Improved patient care in our community and Population Health; per capita cost of care.

RESPECTING CHOICES According to Jeff Thompson, director of Pastoral Care for Northeast Georgia Health System, changes in healthcare over the last few decades have created unforeseen dilemmas for patients and their families.

“Two noticeable things have happened during the last 25 years,” he says. “One is we have many more options for medical interventions than we used to, and the other is we can treat people even when they can no longer tell us what they want. Without clear direction about the patient’s wishes for care, it can be very difficult for families and staff to know how to proceed. We encourage families to talk with each other and document their wishes for how the family should proceed with care, should they become unable to communicate for themselves.”

“This deep respect for each person’s wishes is what shapes the idea of advance care planning,” says Jeff. “One of the most loving and respectful things you can do for your family is to make clear, ahead of time, what your wishes are in these situations. Healthcare providers can offer the care, but we can’t do the planning. That is up to the families.”

This Healthy Journey initiative for $250,000 will fund the training and materials necessary to educate the community on implementing the Gunderson Respecting Choices® planning model. This model is a form of advance care planning that helps communities successfully engage churches, civic leaders, healthcare providers and leaders in an ongoing, open conversation about end-of-life care.

“This model is the gold standard for end-of-life planning,” says Jeff. “It helps families and communities talk about the need to plan ahead for healthcare wishes. As we continue to improve our life-sustaining technologies and abilities, this issue becomes even more relevant. Advance planning is an act of love. You complete your planning not only for yourself, but also for the people who love you, to take the burden from them.”

“One of the most loving and respectful things you can do for your family is to make clear ahead of time what your wishes are in these situations.

Healthcare providers can offer the care, but we can’t do the planning.

That is up to the families.” – Jeff Thompson donate by visiting TheMedicalCenterFoundation.org/Choices

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NORTHEAST GEORGIA HEALTH SYSTEM

WELCOMES NEW PHYSICIANS Oladimeji Samson Akiode, MD Internal Medicine Northeast Georgia Physicians Group Inpatient Medicine Miranda Cleaver, DO Pain Medicine Cleaver Medical Group Nathan Cleaver, DO Dermatology Cleaver Dermatology

The following physicians joined our medical staff between March and July 2017:

Bart Kimbrell, MD Radiology Gainesville Radiology Group

Andrew Lake, MD Gastroenterology Gastroenterology Associates of Gainesville Tarik Lalwani, MD Nephrology Kidney Hypertension Clinic

Cory Duncan, MD Emergency Medicine Gainesville Emergency Department

Sakib Maya, MD Internal Medicine Northeast Georgia Physicians Group Urgent Care

Brian Gibson, MD Trauma Northeast Georgia Medical Center Trauma and Acute Care Surgery

Alemayehu Mengistu, MD Internal Medicine Northeast Georgia Physicians Group Inpatient Medicine

Yogesh Goswami, MD Psychiatry Salveo Integrative Health

Shazia Naib, MD Internal Medicine Northeast Georgia Physicians Group Inpatient Medicine

Greg Hamilton, MD Family Medicine Northeast Georgia Physicians Group Dahlonega

Matthew Parks, MD Anesthesiology Anesthesia Associates of Gainesville

Shahzad Hashmi, MD Psychiatry Salveo Integrative Health

Ankit Patel, MD Interventional Cardiology The Heart Center of Northeast Georgia Medical Center

Nikki Hughes, MD Family Medicine North Atlanta Primary Care

Lindsay Patterson, MD Family Medicine Northeast Georgia Physicians Group Urgent Care

Andrew Johnson, MD Oncology The Longstreet Clinic

Mulualem Teferi, MD Internal Medicine Northeast Georgia Physicians Group Inpatient Medicine

Ami Karkar, MD Anesthesiology Anesthesia Associates of Gainesville

Joseph Whitlock Radiology Gainesville Radiology Group nghs.com/doctors

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ENHANCING CARE at GOOD NEWS CLINICS Putting off a visit to the doctor can cause unnecessary pain, late diagnosis of illness and, often, increased complications.

In the most serious cases, it can be the difference between life and death. For thousands of people in Hall County without insurance and living near the poverty level, the cost of a doctor’s visit and medications have made seeing a doctor a luxury. But thanks to Good News Clinics (GNC), the largest free medical and dental clinic in Georgia, access to care for underinsured patients is available.

“Good News Clinics provides a tremendous service for the community, serving approximately 3,500 unique patients on an annual basis for medical and dental services through more than 22,000 visits,” says Antonio Rios, MD, chief physician executive of Northeast Georgia Physicians Group and a GNC board member.

Data from the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index indicates that Americans in poverty are more likely to suffer from a variety of chronic health problems. Further complicating patient care is how complex our changing healthcare system has become in the digital world.

Health care has changed drastically since GNC opened its doors to the community in 1992. Today’s health records have evolved from paper charts and films to virtually 100 percent electronic medical records. In order for GNC to continue providing effective and efficient patient care, its health records must be able to integrate electronically with Northeast Georgia Health System (NGHS).

“The clinic currently uses a free, but very limited, electronic medical record system,” says Dr. Rios. “While we are grateful to have this software, there are roadblocks which hinder our ability to treat our patients efficiently. Having access to a comprehensive electronic medical record system would allow us to serve our community better.”

GOOD NEWS CLINICS

EPIC GOES LIVE OCTOBER 1 AT NGHS: ONE PATIENT RECORD Understanding the necessity of using an electronic medical record that captures real-time information from multiple

sources, NGHS made the commitment to bring an enterprise-wide electronic medical record system called Epic to all areas of patient care within the Health System — one that integrates information from its hospitals and clinics into one record — and plans to “go-live” on October 1. One patient record improves patient safety and leads to more coordinated care, as physicians and clinicians across NGHS have access to accurate, up-to-date patient information.

Currently, physicians and staff at GNC rely on faxes and logging into several different systems to access and piece together various parts of a patient’s chart — a method that slows down the care process for both the providers and the patients.

“After go-live, providers across the System will be able to log-in and access a patient’s emergency department (ED) visits, imaging studies and lab work all in one centralized chart,” explains Dr. Rios. “The software also has features for interfacing with medical practices that do not use Epic.”

Timely, accurate and detailed access to patient data aids a physician’s ability to make the best medical decisions and help avoid unnecessary tests, prescriptions and hospitalizations — which translates into improved health care and reduced costs. Epic also provides predictive analytics and tools to help practitioners more easily track patient progress and, ultimately, improve outcomes.

“Epic is a game-changer,” says Dr. Rios. “With access to Epic at the clinic, we can be more efficient and effective in our care. Many people in this patient population have serious chronic conditions. With the right tools in our hands, we can identify patterns quickly and intervene in ways that keep the patients healthy and out of the ED or other areas of the hospital.

“In the end, everyone benefits: the patients, the clinic and the community.”

GNC opened in 1992 as a non-profit health center with the charge of “nurturing broken bodies and broken souls, and the goal of healing both.” Operating thanks to the generosity of others — including volunteer physicians, nurses and philanthropic support from the community — GNC serves a fragile population. Northeast Georgia Health System and The Medical Center Foundation have had a strong partnership with Good News Clinics since its inception.

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$1

Amount Requested

$1,061,000

for implementation, support, training, licensing and hardware necessary to bring Epic’s electronic medical record to Good News Clinics.

Primary Objective

provide integration between GNC, NGHS and other community providers‘ systems, resulting in better coordination of care and improved outcomes for this vulnerable patient population.

Impact: Improves ability for community providers to better coordinate care for this vulnerable patient population, which will benefit from improved care delivery, and both GNC and NGHS will be better positioned with data to support needed health initiatives. donate by visiting TheMedicalCenterFoundation.org/Epic

“Good News Clinics provides a tremendous service for the community, serving approximately 3,500 unique patients on an annual basis for medical and dental services through more than 22,000 visits.”

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Healing music Amount Requested

$417K

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to establish a formal therapeutic music program at NGMC Gainesville.

Primary Objective

to enhance the patient experience through the intrinsic healing elements of live music.

Impact: Improved comfort and healing for the critically ill or at end-of-life.

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g

EIGHTY-ONE-YEAR-OLD JOSIE SITS PEACEFULLY IN A HOSPITAL ROOM AT NORTHEAST GEORGIA MEDICAL CENTER (NGMC) GAINESVILLE, RECUPERATING FROM HEART SURGERY. The atmosphere is mesmerizing — in addition to the soft light streaming through the window, the air is filled with the deep, resonating tones of a harp. The harp belongs to a volunteer of The Medical Center Auxiliary, Robin Prechter, who intently plays music at Josie’s bedside. Her eyes closed, Josie smiles and breathes deeply as Robin plays.

“Nevermind the mess in my room,” Josie laughed when Robin entered the hospital room and introduced herself.

“Artists are messy.”

Trained in voice at The Juilliard School in New York City and a regular performer at community playhouses, Josie is a true artist who understands the value of good music — and its healing powers.

Josie’s time with Robin was more than just an intimate concert — it was a form of care known as therapeutic music, which is acoustic music played or sung at the bedside to help enhance the healing environment. Unlike music therapy, therapeutic music does not require any precise activity from the listener, nor does it have a specific, predetermined goal such as enhancing verbal skills.

With therapeutic music, live music is played by a certified musician in an effort to provide a physical, mental and spiritual link to the listener. The objective is not to entertain, but instead prepare the listener for a transitional experience or to assist with healing. Because the music is live, musicians may alter how and even what they are playing based on the changing needs of the patient.

Therapeutic music is currently offered to inpatients at NGMC Gainesville on a limited basis by three very dedicated hospital volunteers, including Robin, who are trained as therapeutic musicians. Robin received her training after stumbling across the healing benefits of music herself.

“I took care of my father while he was a hospice patient,” Robin says. “When he was younger, he trained as a concert pianist. He later became a surgeon, but music was always such a big part of our lives. When he was sick, it was natural to play for him, and I noticed how much it helped him. It distracted him, alleviated his pain and he felt better.

“Once my mother developed Alzheimer’s disease, I began playing the piano for her as well. It calmed her and helped her go to sleep. That was the biggest compliment they could give me: that I soothed them and helped them rest.”

A while later, Robin read an article about therapeutic music and realized this was exactly what she had unknowingly been doing for her parents. This prompted her to undergo formal training to become a therapeutic musician. During her training, she studied the parasympathetic nervous system and learned how the human body reacts and syncs with the tempo of live music.

The positive effects of music on health have been well-documented. A study published by the National Center for Biotechnology Information notes that live music can effectively lower blood pressure, heart rate and the respiratory rate of patients in pre-operative, post-operative and ICU settings. Another study found that live music improves the body’s immune system and reduces stress. In fact, according to a 2013 study published in Trends in Cognitive Sciences , listening to music before surgery was found to be more effective in reducing anxiety than prescription drugs.

“Therapeutic musicians provide a calming influence in the hustle and bustle of the hospital environment,” says Andrew Green, MD, a gynecologic oncologist with Northeast Georgia Physicians Group. “This peace and comfort is invaluable to patients recovering from surgery and treatment for serious illness. It is a bit of calm in the storm.”

In addition to Robin playing the harp, Nancy Swan plays the violin and Brenau University’s Dr. Barbara Steinhaus sings.

Like Robin, both Nancy and Dr. Steinhaus are certified therapeutic musicians who volunteer their time to patients at NGMC. In an effort to provide this unique healing opportunity to as many patients as possible, The Medical Center Foundation seeks to formalize and expand the program. Through a goal of raising $417,000, the Foundation will expand and enhance the outreach of the therapeutic music program to patients, families and staff across our growing organization.

“A formal Therapeutic Music Program will provide needed oversight, structure, consistency and, most importantly, allow the complementary therapy to touch more patients,” says Nancy Colston, president and chief development officer of The Medical Center Foundation. “The program will only exist through philanthropy, however, and it has the ability to become an ongoing funding initiative of the Foundation where donors have the option to designate general gift(s) to benefit Therapeutic Music. There is also the opportunity for a signature gift donor to establish an endowment, which could fund the program on an ongoing basis.”

“I’ve hoped for a formalized program for years,” says Robin. “The volunteers are wonderful and I imagine most will continue to be a vital part of the program, but the growing health system has created a growing need.”

donate by visiting TheMedicalCenterFoundation.org/Music

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Let’s Go Mobile Simulation

Michael Appel, MD, chief patient safety officer, board certified anesthesiologist and former commercial airline pilot

One of the best ways to help prevent patient harm is by imitating real patient experiences through handson training. Medical simulation allows us to do this by giving learners a realistic healthcare setting to practice care methods and procedures through the use of simulated scenarios and patients.

For some, simulators can seem a bit intimidating. But the truth is, medical simulation has become an essential tool in our journey toward a perfect safety record — a goal Northeast Georgia Health System (NGHS) is continually striving for.

While NGHS currently utilizes medical simulation, we need to expand the role it plays within our organization. Here are three reasons why NGHS should be utilizing simulation:

1

2

procedural mistake in operating the airplane. However, it is more commonly used to explain a more subtle series of errors in communication, teamwork and decision making.

In other words, the pilot likely made a mental mistake.

Just like in aviation, simulators in health care allow care givers to improve both the technical skills and non-technical skills necessary to manage complex scenarios such as performing delicate surgery, managing a trauma patient or quickly saving the life of a heart attack patient in the cardiac catheterization lab.

3

SIMULATORS ALLOW TECHNICAL PRACTICE WITH NO RISK Flight simulators are what most people think of first when they hear the word “simulation.” Did you know that a pilot-in-training never actually flies the real airplane until his or her very first trip with fare-paying passengers? The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) — with all its stringent regulations and rigorous oversight of the airline industry — not only permits this: the FAA actually requires it. Just like in health care, the consequences of errors in aviation are high. Simulators allow humans to build proficiency and commit errors (and learn from those errors) with absolutely no real-life consequences.

SIMULATORS IMPROVE NON-TECHNICAL HUMAN PERFORMANCE Improving non-technical human behavior — such as communication, teamwork, conflict resolution and crisis management — is just as important as mastering technical skills. Most human errors (and their resulting harm) arise from weaknesses in cognitive, rather than physical, human performance. In fact, more patient harm comes from non-technical performance errors than procedural inaccuracies. These mistakes are the healthcare equivalent of “pilot error” and arise from vulnerabilities shared by all humans. These vulnerabilities, known as “human factors,” explain how mistakes occur. When an air disaster is attributed to “pilot error,” that term is typically misunderstood as meaning that the pilot made a physical or

SIMULATION TRAINING IS CHEAPER AND BETTER Through rapid-cycle repetition and a focus on known problem areas, simulator training allows us to be adaptive and nimble. If a student is having problems with one step of a procedure, they can repeat that step — a hundred times, if necessary. Each student can be trained to proficiency at their own pace, and all students can be trained quicker through the use of simulation. In addition, simulated scenarios can be adapted to address known issues such as those illuminated by incidents or near-misses — exactly how the FAA has made once-common airplane crashes due to “engine failure” or “windshear” a thing of the past. Maybe someday soon, certain kinds of common medical errors can be a thing of the past, too?

Another substantial benefit is that simulation facilitates continuous improvement of the learning process by enhancing instructor proficiency, encouraging experimentation to discover better solutions, and recording and debriefing the safety-critical components of human performance.

GO

LET’S GET NGHS MOBILE Having a mobile unit to deploy this advanced training capability to all corners of our ever-expanding healthcare network ensures that the latest technology is available, not just to those caregivers and patients close to a central facility, but to everyone, everywhere, anytime. The need is determined by our patients, and the solution can be available wherever that need arises. Simulator training is all about readiness, and we can ensure that we are ready — at all times — to deliver the best possible care to our patients.

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Amount Requested

$700K

to purchase a mobile simulation unit for training of NGHS staff and provide the necessary operational costs for the first five years.

Primary Objective

to enhance patient safety through simulation training in a mobile unit that takes training directly to NGHS’ hospitals and outlying locations.

Impact: Enhanced quality and patient care as NGHS staff improve skills and learn new techniques with no risk to actual patients.

donate by visiting TheMedicalCenterFoundation.org/Mobile

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philanthropy for good ongoing funding initiatives

of The M

HOSPICE OF NORTHEAST GEORGIA MEDICAL CENTER Compassionate end-of-life care for patients and their families

INDIGENT PATIENT FUND Health care for the most vulnerable

Hospice of Northeast Georgia Medical Center (NGMC) provides loving, in-home care for terminally ill patients and support for their families throughout a 13-county primary service area.

Hospice nurses seek to relieve symptoms and maintain patient dignity by supporting their desire to preserve control over the final months of life. Since many families face financial hardship during the terminal phase of an illness, patients ready for Hospice are granted these services regardless of their ability to pay.

The Indigent Patient Fund is a charitable initiative providing financial assistance for impoverished patients in need of urgent medical services, such as discharge medications and safe transportation home. Patients whose needs cannot be met through primary insurance, personal funds, government programs or other charitable services are eligible to receive assistance. This fund helps to ensure a healthy recovery, regardless of ability to pay, by ensuring medication compliance and optimal recuperation conditions.

Philanthropy funds: • Camp Braveheart — a day camp for children who have experienced the death of a close friend or family member • 13 months of bereavement counseling for Hospice families after the patient’s death • Patient assistance including: - emergency utility assistance - safety items - food and household goods - comforting therapies

CONTINUING EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIPS Advancing the clinical expertise of our healthcare teams In today’s job market, recruitment and retention of qualified nursing and allied health professionals is a highly competitive and difficult process. Healthcare organizations compete for talent by offering a wide variety of incentives, including educational benefits. Continuing education scholarships have been instrumental in helping retain staff at Northeast Georgia Health System (NGHS) and improve clinical expertise. By providing our staff the opportunity to stay abreast of evidence-based practices within their respective fields, we are able to directly contribute to the high quality of care patients receive at NGHS.

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e Medical Center Foundation COMMUNITY WALKS Supporting national research for pressing health issues

SAFE KIDS GAINESVILLE/HALL COUNTY Keeping our kids safe from injuries and accidents

The W.A.T.C.H. (We Are Targeting Community Healthcare) employee giving club of NGHS generously supports the local American Heart Association’s Heart Walk, American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life and March of Dimes’ March for Babies initiatives which raise funds to combat heart disease, cancer and infant mortality.

Preventable injuries are the number one killer of children age 14 and younger in the United States. Each year, 8,000 children die because of a preventable injury, and another nine million children are treated for injuries in emergency departments.

GETTING OLDER AND BETTER WORKSHOPS Empowering our senior population to maintain a healthy lifestyle Seniors can be more susceptible to illness or injury and, once sick, it is often harder for them to recover. Through our Getting Older and Better Workshops, we aim to educate seniors about important health topics and arm them with valuable information to help prevent future illness or injury. Recent program topics have included health tips for seniors, eye and skin health, good nutrition and arthritis.

Safe Kids Gainesville/Hall County has been leading the battle against childhood injuries in our community since 1992 by providing education and resources to help prevent harmful childhood accidents. In 2014, an estimated 52,000 children, family members, teachers and caregivers were touched by a Safe Kids program or collaboration. In Hall County alone, over 5,400 safety devices were distributed — and five child safety seat inspection stations were made available to the community.

Through Safe Kids: • Caregivers learn how to help prevent injuries.

• Critical child safety equipment is provided to those in need.

• Positive impacts on safety-related legislation are proposed.

• Local injury data is collected and analyzed. This information is used to identify our most affected populations and build a task force committed to changing the conditions that put children at risk.

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donate by visiting TheMedicalCenterFoudation.org/Ongoing

e immense d impressed by ces Northeast m is dedicating needs for high vices in the

”

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BRASELTON INAUGURAL

CAMPAIGN INITIATIVES

CREATING A DESTINATION OF HOPE, HEALING AND WELLNESS Prior to opening Northeast Georgia Medical Center (NGMC) Braselton, a community-driven feasibility study was conducted to determine the public’s vision for the hospital. As a result, The Medical Center Foundation organized a group of community volunteers to lead an inaugural fundraising campaign designed to benefit NGMC Braselton and the surrounding communities.

Due to the generous support of the community, an astounding $3 million of our $4 million goal has already been raised.

To date, Signature Gift Donors have funded nine unique naming opportunities, but more options still exist for those interested in naming a specific project. In addition to signature gift opportunities, there are other critical needs that will only be funded through philanthropy. Every dollar raised in Braselton will benefit the inaugural campaign and 100 percent of every gift benefits the campaign initiatives.

COMPLETION OF THE COMMUNITY PLAZA Through the inaugural campaign, patients and visitors will enjoy the transformation of NGMC Braselton’s courtyard, located on the ground floor adjacent to Café 1400, into what will be known as a Community Plaza. With a view of the Love Light Garden, the finalized Community Plaza will receive enhancements and include a maintenance endowment, ensuring it becomes a welcoming gathering destination visitors can enjoy for years to come.

NEONATAL ENHANCEMENTS Treating the tiniest and most ill patients demands the very best training and equipment. NGMC Braselton is committed to ensuring our fragile neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) patients get the highest quality care available through the following technological enhancements: SimNewB® – Realistic Newborn Simulation The SimNewB®, an interactive medical training doll featuring realistic newborn traits and clinical feedback, is used to provide hands-on patient simulation training experiences which can better prepare our neonatal healthcare providers for real-life challenges in the NICU setting.

Giraffe OmniBed The Giraffe OmniBed is a machine which pairs a double-walled incubator and radiant warmer together to help reduce stress on the infant and staff members by eliminating the need to transfer the baby between machines. This advanced technology helps providers care for babies in the NICU by providing consistently-controlled thermal environments and improved patient access and visibility — all in one machine.

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Due to the generous support of the community

$3M $4M of our

Community in

goal has already been raised.

Action

DISTRACTION THERAPY Distraction therapy is quickly evolving into a best practice when it comes to providing top-notch health care to children. In an effort to help a child cope with a painful or stressful procedure, NGMC Braselton will implement tools and strategies that encourage young patients to engage with something pleasant.

NGMC Braselton recognizes the opportunity to improve the hospital experience for pediatric patients and their families by offering interventions that will help reduce stress, anxiety and provide comfort.

CARDIAC REHABILITATION Patients requiring rehabilitation following a cardiac event, or those in need of a medically supervised program to help improve their cardiovascular health, will now have access to services even closer to home. NGMC Braselton’s outpatient cardiac rehabilitation facility, located on the ground floor of Medical Plaza B, offers the most modern equipment and cardiovascular monitoring systems available in its new 2,400-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility.

Dr. Buddy Langston and his wife, Evie, were attracted to the “commitment to community” when they moved to Gainesville in 1965. At that time he was the 36th physician on staff at Northeast Georgia Medical Center. Since his retirement as a pediatrician with The Longstreet Clinic in 2002, he and Evie have continued to serve and give to their community. Today, Dr. Langston helps champion The Medical Center Foundation’s planned giving program, The Legacy Circle.

been doing just that ever since. After retiring from an active career, she began serving the hospital through volunteerism as a buyer for The Medical Center Auxiliary’s Window Shops as well as serving on numerous committees. She is also a past president.

“Some of the tremendous good the Foundation does is easy to see,” she says. “The beautiful gardens and artwork offer such solace and peace to our patients and families. The chapels in Gainesville and Braselton and the tremendous community outreach programs would not be possible without the community’s support of the Foundation. But the Foundation also does something which is intangible. It strengthens the way we work together. The Foundation and the Auxiliary both shape how we see ourselves and reinforce – in a way that is understood even when it’s not spoken – that we are a community that thinks beyond ourselves and sacrifices for one another.”

Dot’s neighbors, Anne and George Thomas, are also long-time supporters of The Medical Center Foundation and are passionate about providing the best healthcare possible for the community. Anne is a lifetime member of The Medical Center Auxiliary and founded the Love Light Tree project in 1980 that continues today as an annual tree lighting tradition at NGMC Gainesville and Braselton with gifts in honor or memory of loved ones to benefit Hospice of Northeast Georgia Medical Center. Since its inception, Love Light has raised over $2 million.

“As we age, we all become aware of our mortality. For me, it is important that my estate be used to help future generations.” Anne says, “I elected to include The Medical Center Foundation in my will as a way of continuing to support the community I love.”

As an outspoken supporter of planned giving, and newly elected Chair of The Legacy Circle, Dr. Langston educates the community about the benefits of supporting the Foundation through estate planning. He says that the place to start your estate plan is to talk with your financial advisor and/or attorney. “Proper estate planning can not only make the world a better place,” he says, “but can also create an income stream during retirement and provide valuable tax benefits for donors and their heirs. Some arrangements are irrevocable, but many can be set up so that you can change your estate plan if your circumstances change. You may make an outright bequest in your will or contribute assets. Your attorney, your tax planner or the staff at The Medical Center Foundation would be happy to help you get started.”

Many thanks to our Braselton Campaign Cabinet, whose leadership and dedication is essential to fulfilling the vision of creating a destination of hope, healing and wellness at NGMC Braselton.

Don & Nancy Panoz, Honorary Co-Chairs Tony Funari, Chair Andrea DeCook Terry Evans Cindy Green Hardy Johnson Caryn McGarity Garol Orr Rhonda Stites Carl Williams

A Lasting Legacy Dot Dusenberry has nurtured a philanthropic spirit in her children just as her mother had during Dot’s childhood.

She told her family “if my health permits me to leave something when I am gone, I want to continue to contribute to the mission of The Medical Center Foundation.”

Planned gifts provide an opportunity to support healthcare initiatives for future generations that are meaningful to you and your family.

Anne Thomas is a lifetime

member of The Medical Center “I elected topresiinclude The Foundation Auxiliary and is a past dent and founding chair of The in my will to continue my support of Love Light Tree. In 2009, she and husband, George, made Ia love.” the community signature gift to name Anne’s

donate by visiting TheMedicalCenterFoundation.org/Braselton

Anne Thomas

Garden outside the North Patient Tower at NGMC Gainesville. Anne said, “I elected to include the Foundation in my will to continue my support of the community I love.”

Thank you, Anne, for the difference you are making!

Individuals who create a personal legacy in support of healthcare programs and services of Northeast Georgia Health System by remembering The Medical Center Foundation in planning their estates or trusts are invited to join The Legacy Circle.

If you would like to explore gifts in trust, real estate, or stocks, etc., please contact The Medical Center Foundation and we can help your professional advisor ensure that your wishes are properly followed.

Ellen DeFoor Director of Development 770-219-8099 www.TheMedicalCenterFoundation.org

What will your legacy be?

Interested in joining The Legacy Circle?

Contact The Medical Center Foundation at 770-219-8099 or visit TheMedicalCenterFoundation.org/Legacy for more information. www.TheMedicalCenterFoundation.org 3

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JOIN THE HEALTHY JOURNEY BY SUPPORTING THE MEDICAL CENTER FOUNDATION THROUGH A GIVING CLUB MEMBERSHIP 100 percent of all contributions support funding initiatives.

SIGNATURE GIFTS OPPORTUNITIES

THE LAUREL SOCIETY

Individuals with long-term interest in NGHS and the health of the communities we serve.

Platinum Leaf: $50,000 - $99,999 Gold Leaf: $25,000 - $49,999 Silver Leaf: $10,000 - $24,999

($100,000 or greater *)

These major gifts represent naming opportunities that create a permanent legacy for donors.

$

$

THE TRELLIS SOCIETY

($100 - $9,999) Annual gifts to support improved health of the community.

Platinum: $1,000 - $9,999 Gold: $500 - $999 Silver: $250 - $499 Bronze: $100 - $249

$

THE JAMES H. DOWNEY SOCIETY

($3,000 - $99,999*)

Opportunity for active and retired physicians to affirm their support of initiatives designed to improve the health of our community.

THE ARBOR CIRCLE

($4,500 or greater*)

Local businesses, organizations and corporations committed to supporting community health through NGHS initiatives.

Signature: $100,000 or greater Diamond: $50,000 - $99,999 Platinum: $30,000 - $49,999 Gold: $15,000 - $29,999 Silver: $7,500 - $14,999 Bronze: $4,500 - $7,499 Communicare_8.17_To_Print.indd 22

$

THE LEGACY CIRCLE

Individuals who create a personal legacy in support of the programs and services of NGHS by remembering The Medical Center Foundation during estate planning.

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the journey continues So much has changed since The Medical Center Foundation began its first Healthy Journey campaign in 1999. From the exponential growth of medical record technology, the addition of dissolvable stents for cardiac care and emerging research proving the value of nurture as a part of healing, the healthcare world has improved tremendously.

Our community has also evolved. Hall County’s population has grown by 41 percent — more than 13 percent greater than the average American community. In fact, the entire northeast Georgia area has grown. In response to our expanding population, the need for quality health care close to home has also increased. What an exciting time for Northeast Georgia Health System (NGHS) as we continue to grow to meet the demands of more than 800,000 residents in 18 counties!

Through all of this growth and change, The Medical Center Foundation has remained true to the mission of improving the health of the community. It is empowering to look through this issue of Communicare and think back to where we started versus where we are today, thanks to the generosity of this extraordinary region.

Over the years, countless hours have been devoted to this cause. Hundreds of dedicated community leaders have served faithfully on boards, committees and in a variety of volunteer roles. Thousands of donors have brought meaningful projects and life-saving technologies to NGHS that would not exist without philanthropy.

As I reflect on my time with the Foundation, I am humbled by the extraordinary commitment of the communities we serve. It is with heartfelt gratitude that I think back on all the wonderful people I have had the pleasure of working with over the years. I am inspired by all the projects envisioned and brought to life through a desire to make our communities better and healthier. It is humbling to witness first-hand that, when caring and generous people come together, extraordinary things happen.

It is indeed an exciting time of growth and change for NGHS, and the commitment of The Medical Center Foundation remains strong. We will continue to grow, build and serve this region for generations to come. Thank you for joining us on our continued journey.

With grateful appreciation,

Nancy D. Colston, President & Chief Development Officer

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TWENTY SIX

YEARS

CELEBRATING

Thursday, October 5, 2017, at Chicopee Golf Course

Rain date: October 19, 2017

This year’s tournament will benefit Gateway Domestic Violence Center.

The 2017 Medical Center Open Golf Tournament is proud to support Gateway Domestic Violence Center. One hundred percent of the proceeds from this year’s tournament will fund the construction and furnishing of a counseling suite with six support group rooms at Gateway’s new shelter facility and, potentially, a dining room based upon the total amount raised.

Gateway Domestic Violence Center’s vision is to meet all the basic needs of domestic violence survivors in our community.

Domestic violence is a public health concern that affects roughly one in four women. Women who experience violence at home often experience physical injuries, and some even die because of their abuse. In fact, in 2015, 139 deaths were reported as a result of domestic violence in Georgia. Of all domestic violence fatalities, an alarming 36 percent are witnessed by children.

Through The Medical Center Open

More Than

$3.5M

In addition to physical injuries, domestic violence victims may experience negative consequences to both their mental and physical health. Post traumatic stress disorder, anxiety and depression are some of the most common effects.

Receiving treatment can be difficult for these women, as health care costs can be up to 30 percent higher for domestic violence victims.

This year’s partnership with Gateway will help create an environment for healthy, self-sufficient growth and violence prevention — while equipping these women and children with a safe place to live.

Thank you to our sponsors!

has been given back to the community in support of other non-profit organizations.

Want to Help?

Sponsorship, volunteer and beneficiary information is available at TheMedicalCenterFoundation.org or by calling 770-219-8099.

Special thanks to the Medical Center Open Committee! We are grateful to our co-chairs Ron Bracewell and Jeff Terry, MD, and the entire golf committee for their commitment to the tournament’s success. We could not do it without you!

Karen Baston l Gail Bowen l Jessica Butler l Sean Childers l Shanna Cronic l Susan Daniell l Vince Davis l Ellen DeFoor l Donna Deyton David Dickerson l Headen Embry l Josh Everett l Joy Green l Don Grimsley l Gene Marlow l Megan Martin l Al Morrison l Ann Nixon Will Peeples l Michele Piucci l Zach Propes l Ricky Pugh l Kathy Riner l Calvin Robinson l Jeff Sims l Matt Smith l Tyler Smith Andy Stewart l Jesse Tipton l Mike Weaver l Philip Wilheit, Jr.

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THE MEDICAL CENTER FOUNDATION 2017 BOARD OF TRUSTEES

LeTrell Simpson Chair

Lynne Allen Director, Volunteer Services

Jennifer Bagwell Laurel Society Co-Chair

William Bagwell Laurel Society Co-Chair

Pepper Brown, MD Signature Gifts Co-Chair

Nancy Colston President & CDO The Medical Center Foundation

LeeAnn LoCicero President, The Medical Center Auxiliary

Ricky LoCicero, MD Downey Society Co-Chair

Scott McGarity Arbor Circle Chair

Ivan Moore W.A.T.C.H. Tri-Chair

Meg Nivens Vice President, The Medical Center Auxiliary

Jennifer Stoeckig, RN W.A.T.C.H. Tri-Chair

Mohak Davé, MD Downey Society Co-Chair

Philip Wilheit Signature Gifts Co-Chair

Tony Funari Braselton Campaign Chair

Morgan Wood Trellis Society Co-Chair

Heath Gurr W.A.T.C.H. Tri-Chair

Trey Wood Trellis Society Co-Chair

Buddy Langston, MD Legacy Circle Chair

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ual

26

th Presented by The Medical Center Auxiliary

liday Shopping!

and Willis Investment Counsel

This year, shop til you drop for a good cause!

November 2 - 4, 2017

THE GAINESVILLE CIVIC CENTER Preview Party: Thursday, November 2: 6:30 - 9:30 p.m.

Friday, November 3: 9:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Saturday, November 4: 9:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

ONE HUNDRED PERCENT OF FUNDS RAISED BY MARKETPLACE IN 2017 WILL BENEFIT SAFE KIDS GAINESVILLE/HALL COUNTY. Marketplace tri-chairs (left to right) Maggie Griffin Caroline Nix, and Leslie Miller

For more information or to purchase Preview Party Tickets, visit www.nghs.com/marketplace or call 770-219-1830

THE MEDICAL CENTER AUXILIARY

This year’s Auxiliary Volunteer Appreciation Banquet was especially meaningful as leaders from all three Northeast Georgia Medical Center campuses — Louis Smith, Anthony Williamson and Chad Hatfield — joined together to convey their appreciation of volunteers throughout Northeast Georgia Health System (NGHS).

Mark Your Calendars!

Recognizing

Our Leaders

Fiscal year 2016 was a record-breaking year with 722 volunteers contributing a total of 70,690 hours of service to NGHS — equivalent to 42 full-time employees and a value of $1.6 million to the organization!

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nsel

2017 Tree Lighting Celebrations

SAVE THE DATES! NGMC Gainesville 12-4-17 7 p.m.

NGMC Braselton 12-7-17 7 p.m.

NGMC Barrow 12-11-17 7 p.m.

ONE HUNDRED PERCENT OF FUNDS RAISED

BY LOVE LIGHT BENEFIT HOSPICE OF NGMC.

Love Light co-chairs Dr. Ron and Bonnie-Lynne Wilson

Love Light is a meaningful way to honor or remember special friends and loved ones throughout the year. The Love Light celebrations bring special meaning to gifts that benefit terminally ill patients and their families served by Hospice of Northeast Georgia Medical Center (NGMC).

Visit www.nghs.com/lovelight for more information.

The Medical Center Auxiliary recognized several outstanding volunteers this year: Jennifer Bagwell was the recipient of the 2017 Marjorie Covington Smith Auxilian of the Year Award; Gertrud Rocco was awarded the Nell Whelchel Wiegand Patient Friend Award; and Ruby Brawner was recognized for 30 years of volunteer service. Additionally, Lorena Collins was honored for the most volunteer hours in the Auxiliary’s history with the 25,000 Hour Award, a feat accomplished after serving 54 years as an NGHS volunteer.

Louis Smith presents awards to (Top left to right) Jennifer Bagwell, Gertrud Rocco (Bottom left to right) Ruby Brawner, Lorena Collins

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NGMC COMMUNITY BENEFIT REPORT “Improving the health of our community in all we do.”

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Northeast Georgia Medical Center (NGMC) values cooperative efforts with community organizations and other healthcare providers to improve the health status of area residents. NGMC demonstrates this through many partnerships that range from serving as lead agency of the Safe Kids Coalition of Gainesville/Hall County to partnering with other organizations, such as Good News Clinics (GNC) and the Public Health Department, to reach at-risk populations in need of health care.

In FY16, NGMC provided more than $6 million in community benefit programs and outreach. NGMC provided many community education opportunities through free community lectures, various support groups and the semi-annual health magazine, Communicare. NGMC also offered several community education seminars on topics ranging from health and nutrition to women’s health education and more.

WHAT DRIVES NGMC’S COMMUNITY HEALTH IMPROVEMENT ACTIVITIES? With input from the community, NGMC completed an updated Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) in 2016. The assessment focused mainly on the needs of the community’s most vulnerable populations — particularly those with low-incomes who are uninsured. Input from the community was gathered through focus groups and interviews including community leaders, public health experts and those representing the needs of minority, underserved and indigent populations. Input was also received from an internal NGMC board-level workgroup and senior leadership, who together validated, refined and expanded the list of health needs NGMC will address. The study culminated in the identification of the following five priority health needs across the region: sepsis (blood infections), access to care, diabetes, cancer and injury.

Visit www.nghs.com/community-benefit-library for more information.

The following contains highlights of community benefit activities provided by NGMC in FY16, often partnering with other organizations and individuals in the community: PARTNERING TO REACH THE UNINSURED: NGMC works cooperatively with other area healthcare providers to care for all area residents, particularly the indigent population. Partners include, but are not limited to: NGMC, Northeast Georgia Physicians Group (NGPG) Primary Care Clinic at Hall

County Health Department, Northeast Georgia Diagnostic Clinic, The Longstreet Clinic, GNC (indigent clinic), Medlink (federally qualified health center) and local physicians.

Good News Clinics (GNC): NGMC provides funding to GNC that helps provide medications, medical supplies and other support for GNC — the largest free clinic in Georgia. Founded in 1992, GNC is a Christian ministry that offers medical and dental care to the indigent and uninsured population at no charge. Forty-six physicians, 12 mid-level providers and 44 dentists volunteer to treat patients at GNC. In addition, 340 specialist physicians volunteer to treat patients in their offices through referrals from GNC, NGPG Primary Care Clinic at the Hall County Health Department and physicians in Hall County. In FY16, more than $500,000 was donated to help GNC provide care to indigent patients who were at or below 150 percent of the federal poverty guidelines and did not qualify for other programs.

Clinical professionals from NGMC staff a Congestive Heart Failure Clinic at GNC, as well as a cardiology clinic. This project has been extremely successful, holding a 30-day hospital readmissions rate of zero in 2016.

Additional health screenings are provided to vulnerable populations at GNC, such as prostate screenings. Other services provided include a seizure clinic and diabetes education and management. GNC has a registered dietitian on staff who helps patients with lifestyle modifications required for management of heart failure, diabetes and weight loss.

NGPG Primary Care Clinic at the Hall County Health Department: NGMC funds and staffs a Primary Care Clinic at the Hall County Health Department to improve access to primary healthcare services for low-income people in our community. In FY16, NGMC contributed more than $1 million to provide this clinic.

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Prenatal Care Program at the Health Department: NGMC partners with The Longstreet Clinic to improve birth outcomes by increasing early prenatal care for low-income, uninsured and underinsured pregnant women via the Health Department’s Primary Care Clinic. Yearly cost to NGMC is approximately $200,000.

Indigent Patient Fund: At NGMC, financial assistance is provided for indigent patients to obtain urgently needed discharge medications and transportation. Individuals eligible for these funds are patients whose needs cannot be met through primary insurance, their own personal funds, government programs or other charitable services.

This helps to ensure medication compliance and maximize conditions for recovery and recuperation. Funding is provided through The Medical Center Foundation.

Charity Care: NGMC’s charity care policy removes barriers for low-income populations within our service area beginning with free, medically necessary care for patients whose gross family income is up to 150 percent of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). Further, patients from our service area, whose FPL is from 151 to 300 percent, may qualify for an adjustment equivalent to the hospital’s Medicare reimbursement rate, plus an additional 40 percent discount to the Medicare reimbursement rate.

Total Charity Care cost for FY16 was $31 million: $17.2 million for Hall County patients and $13.8 million for regional residents.

SERVING THE COMMUNITY NGMC Volunteers: In FY16, 722 NGMC volunteers contributed 70,690 volunteer hours of service — equivalent to 42 full-time employees and a value of $1.6 million to the organization. While these figures are not included in the quantitative portion of the community benefit report, they show the depth of support the community gives NGMC. 138 teens participated in the Teen Volunteer Program in 2016, representing 28 different schools within the area.

Encouraging Medical Volunteering: NGMC encourages physicians to volunteer through local free clinics (Good News Clinics in Gainesville and Helping Hand Clinic in Cleveland), as well as Health Access. NGPG also encourages its physicians to volunteer at these locations. In addition, NGMC’s Cancer Services program encourages its physicians to actively participate in community outreach through community education seminars, screenings and other events.

Financial Navigators: NGMC has financial assistance counselors who help patients become insured through Medicaid, PeachCare or other programs. NGMC’s financial navigators focus on advocating for uninsured and underinsured patients and aiding them in finding viable means to access care. They find the best solutions for helping patients apply for Medicaid or disability, access healthcare exchanges and process charity applications, when appropriate.

Cancer Patient Navigators: NGMC also has a cancer patient navigation program which provides cancer patients with guidance throughout their cancer journey. Through NGMC’s cancer program, patients have access to three navigators, as well as one American Cancer Society navigator, free of charge. Together, these navigators provide cancer patients with clinical, educational, financial and emotional support.

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PARTNERING IN THE COMMUNITY NGMC is actively involved in Vision 2030, a community-wide program sponsored by the Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce.

Vision 2030’s board, currently chaired by an NGHS employee, focuses on creating a culture of community wellness supporting and maintaining lifelong learning, building an economy around emerging life sciences, encouraging innovative growth/ infrastructure development and promoting cultural integration.

Participation is open to everyone in the community. (www.Vision2030.org) In addition to Vision 2030, NGMC is an active partner on other chamber committees, such as the Healthcare Committee and the Health Initiative Consortium. NGMC also partners with HALLmark — a community investment plan that addresses economic development, education, government and community development through partnership.

Additionally, members of NGMC’s bariatric service line continue to serve on Hall County School System’s Wellness Council.

An NGMC representative serves with the Hall County Family Connection (HCFC), a collaborative group which serves as the local decision-making body, bringing community partners together to develop, implement and evaluate plans that address the serious challenges facing the children and families in our county. Its vision is that every child has the opportunity to reach his or her full potential for good health, be secure from abuse and neglect and become a literate, productive, economically self-sufficient member of our community. The mission of HCFC is to identify and monitor areas of community concern and mobilize the community and its resources in a common effort to develop solutions. For the next two years, HCFC will focus efforts on teen pregnancy prevention and community-wide resources mapping through a partnership with United Way. The Medical Center Foundation Raises Funds to Benefit the Community: The Medical Center Foundation (TMCF) is the fundraising arm of NGHS and raises money to improve the health of the community. NGHS supports the Foundation’s operating expenses so that donated funds can be used for NGHS projects and community health improvement initiatives.

Following are items of interest to note: 1997, approximately $3.5 million has been raised for community health improvement projects through The Medical Center Open.

• Since

• The 2015 Medical Center Open Golf Tournament raised almost $282,000 for the Medical Association of Georgia Foundation’s ‘Think About It’ Campaign. One hundred percent of the proceeds will benefit the campaign’s Project DAN (Deaths Avoided by Naloxone), which is designed to reduce widespread drug abuse and specifically reduce deaths from opioid overdose.

• Through the employee giving club known as W.A.T.C.H. (We Are Targeting Community Healthcare), members have donated more than $8.4 million to support Healthy Journey since the program’s inception in 1999.

INVESTING IN OUR YOUTH Safe Kids Coalition Works to Keep Kids Safe: The Gainesville/Hall County Safe Kids Coalition, led by NGMC, is part of Safe Kids Worldwide — the first and only national organization dedicated solely to the prevention of unintentional childhood injury, which is the nation’s number one killer of children ages 14 and under. This program provides affordable safety equipment such as car seats, bike helmets and life jackets to our area’s children in need. Working with a coalition made up of law enforcement, area schools, community volunteers and others, Safe Kids provides educational materials and programs that teach children and their parents how to avoid accidents and injuries. Safe Kids continued the work of injury prevention for families in the Hall County community in 2016, thanks to the support of TMCF and the Healthy Journey campaign.

In FY16, members of the Gainesville/Hall County Safe Kids Coalition provided more than 300 programs and events that reached an estimated 50,000 children and their family members, teachers and caregivers. Through these programs, over 5,000 safety devices were distributed to families in need.

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EDUCATION AND SUPPORT FOR SENIORS Getting Older and Better Workshops: More than 300 people participated in the September Getting Older and Better Workshops, which were held in both Gainesville and Braselton. Sponsored by The Medical Center Auxiliary and provided by NGMC, this event focused on joint health and falls prevention and featured Dr. Gregory Woods, Dr. Jeffery Garrett and Donna Lee, NGMC’s Trauma Services outreach coordinator.

Training and Education for Healthcare Professionals: NGHS continues to serve as a pipeline to help get more qualified people interested in healthcare positions and provide training and education to students. This training and education is done through a variety of avenues, from job shadowing to the nurse extern program and pharmacy residency program, as well as significant support to Foothills Area Health Education Centers.

NGMC has provided a significant donation for a non-profit, volunteer-run transportation program serving Hall County senior adults, called iTNLanier, which is being spearheaded by the Wisdom Project. The service provides personal, cost-effective transport services to the elderly. iTNLanier is a pre-affiliate of iTNAmerica, a national organization with 27 chapters providing thousands of rides daily to senior citizens.

NGMC PROVIDES HEALTH INFORMATION & SUPPORT The Fraser Resource Center and Health Sciences Library, located at NGMC Gainesville, serves the health information needs of the community. Consumers, patients and their family members have access to credible resources relating to medical symptoms, conditions and treatments both at the library and also via links on NGMC’s website: www.nghs.com/library. The Resource Center encourages visitors to make healthy choices and become active, informed partners in their health care.

EMPLOYEE SUPPORT OF COMMUNITY EFFORTS TO IMPROVE HEALTH NGMC employees are very active in the community, volunteering at Good News Clinics, in their churches on mission trips and for community agencies such as the Humane Society and Habitat for Humanity. Through The Medical Center Foundation’s employee giving club, W.A.T.C.H. (We Are Targeting Community Healthcare), more than 3,400 employees donated about $550,000 in 2016.

Relay for Life, American Heart Walk, and March for Babies: NGMC employees turned out in full force for community events such as the American Heart Walk, March of Dimes’ Walk America and American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life, averaging participation of 200 employees per event.

Blood Drives: In FY16, NGMC hosted 25 blood drives, resulting in 437 donors and 359 pints of blood.

United Way Pacesetter: NGHS employees contributed more than $100,000 to United Way as a Pacesetter Company. Two NGHS employees currently serve on the United Way Board.

ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW Northeast Georgia Health System (NGHS) is a growing, not-forprofit community health system serving almost 800,000 people across the region through three hospital campuses — Northeast Georgia Medical Center (NGMC) Gainesville, Braselton and Barrow — with a total of 713 beds and medical staffs of more than 700 physicians representing more than 50 specialties.

NGMC continues to receive top state and national rankings for quality care from multiple independent healthcare quality ratings agencies, including CareChex, which studies virtually all US hospitals (general, acute, non-federal) and measures them across several categories including quality of medical care, outcomes of care and patient satisfaction. For 2017, CareChex rates NGMC as: • Georgia’s

#1 Heart Hospital (2006 – 2017) #1 Pulmonary Care Hospital • Georgia’s #1 Hospital for Women’s Health • Top 9% in the Nation for Cancer Care • Top 10% in the Nation for Pneumonia Care • Georgia’s

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®

NGMC has been rated one of America’s 50 Best Hospitals (according to Healthgrades ) and among only 20 large community hospitals named to Truven Healthcare’s list of the nation’s 100 Top Hospitals. NGMC is accredited by DNV and holds accreditation with commendation as a Comprehensive Community Cancer Program by the American College of Surgeons’ Commission on Cancer, as well as accreditation by the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program.

The Health System’s services extend throughout the Northeast Georgia region through urgent care centers, outpatient rehabilitation centers offering physical, speech and occupational therapy, a satellite cancer treatment center and several multi-specialty medical office buildings. Through Northeast Georgia Physicians Group, residents in Northeast Georgia have close access to primary care as well as a host of medical specialties through more than 250 providers at more than 50 locations.

Led by volunteer boards made up of community leaders, the Health System serves approximately 800,000 people in more than 18 counties across northeast Georgia. As a not-for-profit health system, all revenue generated above operating expenses is returned to the community through improved services and innovative programs. Northeast Georgia Medical Center’s Charity Care Policy supports the provision of care for indigent patients, regardless of their ability to pay.

SPECIAL NOTES NGMC uses the precepts outlined in “A Guide for Planning and Reporting Community Benefit,” provided by the Catholic Health Association of The United States and VHA, Inc. The guide’s purpose is to help not-for-profit, mission-driven healthcare organizations develop, enhance and report on their community benefit programs.

“We Are Targeting Community Healthcare” W.A.T.C.H. IS THE EMPLOYEE GIVING CLUB OF NORTHEAST GEORGIA HEALTH SYSTEM (NGHS). SINCE 1999, EMPLOYEES HAVE RAISED OVER $8.4 MILLION DOLLARS TO IMPROVE THE HEALTH OF OUR COMMUNITY THROUGH THE MEDICAL CENTER FOUNDATION FUNDING INITIATIVES. If you are an employee of NGHS and not currently a W.A.T.C.H. member, join us!

Sign up online at TheMedicalCenterFoundation.org/watch

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Community Benefit Definition: Program or activity must address a demonstrated community need, and seek to address at least one of the following community benefit objectives: • improve

access population health • advance generalizable knowledge • relieve government burden to improve health • enhance

The program or activity must: • primarily benefit the community rather than the organization • result in measurable expense to the organization If the program or activity is provided primarily for marketing purposes, standard practice, expected of all hospitals (such as activities required for accreditation, licensure or to participate in Medicare) or is primarily for employees (not including interns, residents and fellows) and/or affiliated physicians, it is not considered community benefit.

For more information, contact Christy Moore, Manager, Community Health Improvement, at (770) 219-8097 or visit www.nghs.com.

Not an employee, but inspired by the dedication NGHS employees demonstrate? Show your support by donating in their honor!

For more information, visit TheMedicalCenterFoundation.org/donate or call 770.219.8099.

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FOUNDATION HAPPENINGS

Braselton’s Campaign Cabinet Busy in the Community Spring was an especially active time of year for The Medical Center Foundation in Braselton. In April, the Braselton Campaign Cabinet hosted an exclusive look behind the scenes of the hospital’s cardiac and surgical services. The tour was filled with community members interested in learning more about the hospital and the Foundation’s funding initiatives benefiting Northeast Georgia Medical Center (NGMC) Braselton.

Ivan Moore, manager of Cardiac Services at NGMC Braselton, led a tour of the hospital’s cardiac unit, giving guests the opportunity to learn more about the latest technology available for non-invasive heart procedures. With angioplasty and stents on the horizon, NGMC Braselton will soon offer more critical heart care services, closer to home.

In addition, Courtney Emory, manager of Surgical Services, provided guests a rare look behind the “red line” of an operating room to see how the state-of-the-art surgical equipment, including the da Vinci robot, is used at NGMC Braselton.

As the tours and conversations concluded, it was clear everyone was impressed with the knowledgeable, passionate staff and appreciated the opportunity to see behind the scenes of their community hospital — an accommodating and modern healthcare facility.

The community had another chance to learn about The Medical Center Foundation and NGMC Braselton in April, when “Coffee and Conversation” was hosted at the home of Garol Orr. The Campaign Cabinet did a wonderful job blending hospitality with education to friends and neighbors interested in forming a deeper relationship with NGMC Braselton and the Foundation.

Megan Cargile, manager of NGMC Braselton’s Labor, Delivery, Recovery and Postpartum (LDRP) unit, impressed everyone with her report about the new unit, staff performance and the high volumes the LDRP unit is experiencing. In fact, Braselton has already delivered almost 40 percent more babies than originally expected at this time! Tara Jernigan, manager of Acute Care Services, also joined the group to answer questions and discuss the daily operations, needs and successes of the hospital.

The Foundation rounded out a busy spring season with a wellattended social evening in May, held at the home of Dr. Charlie and Andrea DeCook. Guests enjoyed great food, fellowship and engaging conversation with Foundation leadership, members of the Campaign Cabinet and NGMC Braselton’s executive director of operations, Zach Reed. Attendees were excited to learn about the hospital’s 24-bed expansion, the growth of cardiac services and the community response to having health care close to home since the hospital’s opening in 2015.

The Medical Center Foundation is grateful to the Braselton Campaign Cabinet for its continued efforts to educate the community on the lasting impact of philanthropy while working to create a destination of hope, healing and wellness at NGMC Braselton.

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FOUNDATION HAPPENINGS

Physicians Setting the Pace The James H. Downey Society proudly continues the tradition of philanthropic leadership in our community. Offering physicians the opportunity to meet and develop meaningful relationships with their peers outside of a clinical setting, The Downey Society plays a significant role in the medical community. Most importantly, Downey Society members further demonstrate their commitment to the health of our community by supporting the initiatives of The Medical Center Foundation. These active and retired physicians continue northeast Georgia’s longstanding tradition of providing healthcare excellence by contributing funds for the latest medical technologies, improving delivery of services and ongoing medical education.

In April, The Downey Society committee hosted an educational event for physicians and their spouses at Dr. Victor and Angela Zubar’s home in Flowery Branch. This provided participants the opportunity to enjoy the fellowship of their colleagues and learn more about The Medical Center Foundation’s Healthy Journey initiatives.

As healthcare providers, Downey Society members — and potential members — learn firsthand the impact philanthropy has on the health of the region.

It is commendable that these physician leaders, in addition to giving their talents on a dayto-day basis, philanthropically contribute to the health of the community by supporting The Medical Center Foundation.

Many thanks to the Zubars for their gracious hospitality, as well as the Downey Society committee, and co-chairs Dr. Mohak Davé and Dr. Ricky LoCicero, for their leadership.

If you are a physician interested in learning more about opportunities to make a difference through a Downey Society membership, please contact The Medical Center Foundation at 770-219-8099 or visit TheMedicalCenterFoundation.org/downey

JOIN THE JOURNEY! THE MEDICAL CENTER FOUNDATION OFFERS MULTIPLE OPPORTUNITIES TO PARTNER WITH US TO IMPROVE THE HEALTH OF THE COMMUNITIES WE SERVE THROUGH OUR HEALTHY JOURNEY CAMPAIGN:

• Gifts from the Heart is a very popular way to honor the memory of a loved one or mentor, or to celebrate a significant event or friend.

• The Grateful Patient Program gives patients and families a meaningful way to say “thank you” for the compassionate care received from our nurses and physicians, and to recognize healthcare excellence.

• Giving Clubs present a unique opportunity for physicians, individuals, employees, local businesses and corporations to be recognized for their generous gifts of $100- $99,999.

See page 24 for more details.

• Signature Gifts of $100,000 or more provide unique naming opportunities for individuals, families or businesses wishing to create a permanent legacy.

donate by visiting TheMedicalCenterFoundation.org/Donate

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The Medical Center Foundation

DONOR LISTING

The continued health improvement of our community is made possible by The Medical Center Foundation’s generous family of donors. With genuine gratitude, we present to you donors contributing $100 or more.

A plus (+) sign indicates a new or renewed donor from February 1, 2016 - July 31, 2017. An asterisk (*) signifies a decreased donor. (B ) indicates an NGMC Braselton donor. (B, Charter ) denotes an NGMC Braselton donor who has given $25,000 or greater to the first Braselton Campaign. (G, B ) indicates a donor supporting both NGMC Gainesville & Braselton. If there are no superscripts, this signifies an NGMC Gainesville donor. Every effort has been made to publish an accurate list. Please bring any error to our attention by calling 770.219.8099.

Signature Gifts ($100,000 during a single giving campaign) 1 Anonymous Donor The Henry Edward Braselton Family B,Charter Murray & Daphne David Mrs. Eleanor Dunlap Mr. James A. Dunlap* Grady & Lillian Fraser* Jack & Janice Frost B,Charter Frank Green* Lillie Mae Green Hamilton State Bank B,Charter The Jim Syfan Family Foundation Mrs. Claribel Jones* Dr. & Mrs. William T. Langston Richard & Phyllis Leet* Paul & Glenna Maney B,Charter Jack & Robbye McKibbon, Jr. Jackson Electric Membership Corporation B,Charter Mr. & Mrs. Ray McRae* The Medical Center Auxiliary + The Medical Center Auxiliary B,Charter Muriel H. Nathan Don & Nancy Panoz B,Charter Parker, Hudson, Rainer & Dobbs LLP B,Charter Don & Dot Pirkle + Lona Pope Richard Pope* Edd & Lynn Price B,Charter Mr. & Mrs. Wilbur Ramsey* The Rotary Club of Braselton B,Charter Lawrence B. & Sherrie N. Schrage Lessie Smithgall Bob & Wanda Swoszowski + Gordon & Julie Telford B,Charter George & Anne Thomas The James A. Walters Family WellCare of Georgia Philip & Mary Hart Wilheit Laurel Society – Platinum Leaf ($50,000 - $99,999) 1 Anonymous Donor Steve & Carol Burrell The Lowell S. Dunn & Betty L. Dunn Family Foundation, Inc. + John & Lydia Ferguson Dallas & Bobbie Gay Anthony & Cathy Herdener Mary Helen Hosch James D. & Diane S. Magnus Foundation Margaret Merritt Wm. David Merritt* Donald R. Myers* The V.C. and Mary A. Puckett Foundation LeTrell E. Simpson + Laurel Society – Gold Leaf ($25,000 - $49,999) John & Loveanne Addison Dr. & Mrs. Robert H. Anderson, Jr.* Joanne & W. A. Bagwell Ray & Madge Burch Jerry & Karen Coker Wayne & Nancy Colston Mrs. Don Cottrell Mary Lynn & John Coyle Dr. John & Sally Darden Robert & Linda Fowler Dr. Jack T. & Barbara K. Griffeth John Jacobs, Jr.* Martha Jacobs Hardy & Donna Johnson B,Charter Dr. & Mrs. Frank G. Lake III Peter & Cathy Miller

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Jim & Evanda Moore + Mr. & Mrs. Thomas C. Mundy Alice & Tom Paris, Jr. Dr. Dan Procter Elizabeth Procter* Strother & Cindy Randolph Margaret L. Schutte, MD Lynda T. Stewart W. Woodrow Stewart* Mickey & Betty Wages B,Charter Frank & Nell Wiegand* Carl & Alicia Williams B,Charter Laurel Society – Silver Leaf ($10,000 - $24,999) 6 Anonymous Donors 1 Anonymous Donor + Thomas & Molly Abbruzzese America’s Home Place Benny & Susan Bagwell B Emily Bagwell William & Jennifer Bagwell Dr. and Mrs. Wiley S. Black Karen & Frank Booth Tom & Maria Bower Jane & Charles Bradley Anne Elisabeth Braselton B,Charter Mrs. Henry Edward Braselton B,Charter Clarissa & Pierpont Brown III, MD Dr. James A. & Wynelle L. Butts Rives & Kathleen Carter David & Gail Chester John & Cathy Cleveland Mrs. Ralph W. Cleveland Counte & Jackie Cooley Mike & Lynn Cottrell Don & Gerri Crane Al & Ginny Crumley Allana L. Cummings Roger & Violet Dailey Carole Ann Daniel Dr. Mohak & Mrs. Katie Davé Dr. Charles & Mrs. Andrea DeCook B Jim & Franny DeLong* W.E. Dunlap* Regina & Austin Edmondson Billy & Diana Farnell Edwards B Mr. Joe L. Estes, Jr. Mrs. Joe L. Estes, Jr.* Don & Sandra Fancher Mr. & Mrs. Lester Fant III B,Charter Ruth Faulkner Dr. & Mrs. Harry H. Ferran, Jr. Teresa & Tony Funari B Jim & Judy Gardner Mr. & Mrs. Joseph L. Glover Dr. Casey J. & Mrs. Susan L. Graybeal Drs. Andrew & Kristen Green Cindy Green & Larry Monroe B Richard & Elizabeth Grimes + Heath & Valerie Gurr Danita Hamilton Marcia Hammock B Nat & Sonya Hancock Clifton & Donna Hastings David & Ann Haynes Marvin & Valerie Hewatt B Jack Hodge Martha Hodge Dr. Jim & Judy Holcomb Jack Hough Vicki Hough Betty W. Howard Bill & Eileen Howard B

Gary Hutchins Ivelisse & Rafael Isaias B The Jim Mathis Family Fund at the North Georgia Community Foundation James & Stephanie Joedecke B Samuel & Suzanne Johnson Ray C. Jones* Starlet & George Jones Dr. & Mrs. Ellis B. Keener C. Neil Kelley* Steve & Amanda Kelly Dr. & Mrs. Linton L. Kuchler Dr. Richard & LeeAnn LoCicero Rao & Dr. Jyoti Manekar B Paul & Glenna Maney Greta & Wesley E. Martin Mike & Caryn McGarity B McKibbon Hotel Group Scott & Sonja McLendon John & Mary Lou Melvin Robert & Lynda Miller B Melody Millett Dr. & Mrs. John Delano Mixon Kate Moore & Lois Finch Dr. Larry Morris* Mr. & Mrs. Ben Mundy* Drs. Wylie & Monica Newton Drake & Linda Nicholson Allen & Meg Nivens Ken & Cathy Nix Betty & Frank Norton, Sr. Nancy & Frank Norton, Jr. Tom & Sally Oliver B,Charter Bob & Martha Painter* Jeff & Hart Payne Don Pirkle Pat Pirkle * Rudy & Melissa Pittman Ricky Presley Teresa Presley* Joanne Frances Eppard Prien* John D. Prien, Jr. Brad & Jennifer Puryear Dr. & Mrs. Sam Rauch Bill Rezak Henry & Jo Ann Rigdon Billy & Mary Rogers George & Sandra Romberg Al & Reneigh Satterfield Darrell & Russella Scales Mr. & Mrs. Jack Scarpellino Danny & Glenda Scroggs George & Francis Seelke Harold Smith The Smith Family B Louis & June Smith Russell & Fran Smith +B Craig & Sandy Stewart B Dennis & Elaine Still B John & Rhonda Stites B Jamie & Warren Stribling Mrs. Warren Dickey Stribling III Tread & Debbie Syfan Faron & Linda Thompson Doris Tipton James Tipton John G. Turner Dr. & Mrs. Frank Waggoner Bo & Laurie Weber Debbie & Dave Weber Dr. Dave & Faye Westfall Harry & Janice Whitehead Philip & Addie Wilheit

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Mr. & Mrs. Jason Williams B,Charter Scotty & Jenny Williams Anthony & Stephanie Williamson B Bob Willis Pamela Willis Dr. Jim & Liz Winham Charlie & Dancy Wynne The James H. Downey Society ($3,000) 2 Anonymous Donors 1 Anonymous Donor B Thomas A. Abbruzzese, MD Robert H. Anderson, Jr., MD* Suman Annambhotla, MD Michael Appel, MD Danny E. Askew, MD Nancy Stead Atwood, MD Raj Ayyathurai, MD Craig J. Baden, MD David R. Bailey, MD James Bailey, MD Preston A. Ball, MD Alexander Benz, MD Emily Anne Black, MD Steven E. Black, MD + Wiley S. Black, MD Charles K. Bradley, MD + Craig Brown, MD Pierpont F. Brown III, MD G,B Brandon Bruce, MD Lawrence E. Bullard, Jr., MD + Shane Bussler, MD Allen Butler, MD J. Allen Butts, MD James A. Butts, MD Tim Carey, MD Armando Castillo, MD Misty D. Caudell, MD James G. Chambers, MD B Jack M. Chapman, Jr., MD Nancy Chen, MD Eugene C. Cindea, MD Scott A. Clark, MD Chad Copper, MD Richard C. Cory, MD + John W. Darden, MD Mohak Davé, MD Mitch Davis, MD William E. Davis, MD Puya Davoodi, MD Adair deBerry-Carlisle, DO Greg DeLong, MD Lawrence Dudas, MD Allison Dupont, MD Ezra Ellis, MD Babajide Falana, MD Harry H. Ferran, Jr., MD Roderick Finlayson, MD John W. Forrest, MD Edward Foxhall, MD Don Freeman, MD Jack Freeman, MD + Philippe Gadegbeku, MD G,B Abhishek Gaur, MD Ryan Gethers, MD Robert Gisness, MD John L. Givogre, MD Michael Gottsman, MD Casey J. Graybeal, MD Andrew Green, MD G,B Jack T. Griffeth, MD G,B Betsy Grunch, MD Sujoy Gulati, MD Kristin Halligan, MD William C. Hallowes, Jr., MD Doug Harkrider, MD Khary Harmon, MD Holt Harrison, MD Clifton Hastings, MD Mark Hazel, MD Wesley D. Head, MD John L. Hemmer, Jr., MD Greg A. Herzog, MD Wayne Hill, MD + Stephen Hodes, MD + James D. Hogue, DO James W. Holcomb, MD Michael A. Hollifield, MD

Brenda Hott, MD + James D. Jackson, MD +G,B Sam Johnson, MD Bill Jones, MD Todd H. Jordan, MD + Andre Kallab, MD Mark Kats, MD Ellis B. Keener, MD C. Neil Kelley, MD* Gary Kempler, MD Georgina O. Kesterson, MD Britton David Knowles, MD Jason L. Konzelmann, MD Linton L. Kuchler, MD Georges Lafleur, MD Francis Lake, MD B Frank G. Lake III, MD William T. Langston, MD G,B Lori C. Lebow, MD + Antoine Leflore, MD James H. Leigh, Jr., MD Jason Lemons, MD John Lewellen, MD* Henry Lewis, MD Ronald C. Lewis, MD Richard LoCicero, MD Jyoti Manekar, MD B Dev Mangalat, MD Holmes B. Marchman, MD J. Jeffrey Marshall, MD Gregory S. Martin, MD Lee A. Martin, Jr., MD + Frank McDonald, Jr., MD Courtney A. McKay, MD Paul Merlis, MD Stephen Moore, MD Larry Morris, MD* Douglas Morrison, MD Charles H. Nash III, MD Harvey M. Newman, MD* Monica Newton, DO Wylie Newton, MD Heidi Nicholson, MD Bruce J. Nixon, MD Tomohiro Oshimura, MD + Roger Owens, MD Namita Pareek, MD B Rafael P. Pascual, MD Arif Patni, MD Jeff Payne, MD Derek Pendarvis, MD Sam Poole, MD* Julie Pardue Presley, MD Dan Procter, MD Carol Nessmith Pryby, MD Malay S. Rao, MD Sam D. Rauch, Jr., MD Christina Rich, MD Ed Rigel, Sr., MD Antonio Rios, MD G,B Ethan Rogers, MD Akhil Saraswat, MD + Christina Saurel, MD Darrell Scales, MD Margaret L. Schutte, MD G,B Timothy A. Scully, MD Neeraj Sharma, MD B P. Tennent Slack, MD Rodney L. Smith, MD Scott M. Stephen, MD Tawanna J.S. Strauther, MD Raj Swami, MD Jeff Terry, MD Richard Trent, MD Pradyumna Tummala, MD Idopise Umana, MD +B Gonzalo Villalobos, MD +B Christy Wagner, MD + Howard Walpole, MD Geoffrey J. Weidner, MD G,B Joey West, MD David N. Westfall, MD Anu K. Whisenhunt, DO Donna W. Whitfield, MD Christopher Whitson, MD Pete Williams, MD Robert Winham, MD Dan Winston, MD

Gregory A. Woods, MD Victor Zubar, MD + Arbor Circle – Signature ($100,000 during a single giving campaign) Hamilton State Bank B,Charter Jackson Electric Membership Corporation B,Charter Parker, Hudson, Rainer & Dobbs LLP B,Charter WellCare of Georgia Arbor Circle – Diamond ($50,000 - $99,999) Brasfield & Gorrie, LLC Crystal Farms, Inc. Fieldale Farms Corporation Gainesville Emergency Department Services HKS, Inc. McGarity’s Business Products Recro Pharma Regions Bank Roy C. Moore Foundation Stewart, Melvin & Frost, LLP Syfan Logistics Turner Construction B,Charter Whelchel, Dunlap, Jarrard & Walker, LLP Arbor Circle – Platinum ($25,000 - $49,999) Brenau University The Childress Family - Mechanical Equipment Co. B,Charter Crystal Farms, Inc. Gainesville Bank & Trust Hamilton State Bank HGA Architects and Engineers B,Charter Jackson EMC Foundation Jones Lang LaSalle Lanier Cold Storage, LLC Lawler-Wood, LLC B,Charter Medway Air Ambulance B,Charter Polaris Aviation Solutions B,Charter ProCare Rx SunTrust Bank United Community Bank Arbor Circle – Gold ($10,000 - $24,999) 12Stone Church B 101 Mobility of North Georgia B Babies “R” Us BatesCarter Busker Communications Inc. Conditioned Air Systems, Inc. The Fockele Garden Company Fox, Chandler, Homans, Hicks & McKinnon, LLP Georgia Power Foundation, Inc. Harry A. Gentry, DDS B Independence Bank of Georgia B Jackson Electric Membership Corporation Kubota Manufacturing of America Lawson Air Conditioning & Plumbing Mar-Jac Poultry, Inc. Marel Stork Poultry Processing, Inc. McGarity’s Business Products B New Leaf Landscape Services Peach State Bank & Trust Primerica Slack Auto Parts Company Turner, Wood & Smith Insurance Wells Fargo Whitehead Die Casting Arbor Circle – Silver ($4,500 - $9,999) Anesthesia Associates of Gainesville, LLC Art Plumbing Company B BB&T Busker Communications Inc.B Carroll Daniel Construction Company Chevron Petrofast Food Store CoBank Eckardt Electric Co. Gainesville Isuzu Truck B Gainesville Truck Center B Higher Grounds Coffee House B Howard Hardaway, State Farm B Independence Bank of Georgia JE Dunn Construction Company McKenney’s, Inc. B The National Bank of Georgia Park Avenue Bank Smith, Gilliam, Williams & Miles, P.A. South State Bank

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SteelFab, Inc. B Uzun & Case, LLC B University of North Georgia Foundation Grants 1 Anonymous Donor Amerigroup Babies “R” Us Francis Hollis Brain Foundation The Dr. & Mrs. Pierpont F. Brown III Fund at the North Georgia Community Foundation E. Rhodes & Leona B. Carpenter Foundation The Carroll E. Daniel Family Foundation at the North Georgia Community Foundation Dare to Share SunTrust Directed Funds - Nell Warren & William Simpson Elkin Foundation Georgia Power Foundation, Inc. The Luther & Susie Harrison Foundation Jackson EMC Foundation Junior League of Gainesville Hall County March of Dimes J. Cleon Nalley Educational Enhancement Fund at United Way of Hall County Oncology Nursing Society Foundation The Alice & Tom Paris Fund at the North Georgia Community Foundation Pfizer The Richard & Lona Pope Charitable Fund at the North Georgia Community Foundation Quadramed Corporation Safe Kids Worldwide United Way Hall County, Inc. University of Georgia – Georgia Health Sciences University WellCare Georgia Wells Fargo Foundation The Wilheit Family Foundation at the North Georgia Community Foundation Frances Wood Wilson Foundation, Inc. Legacy Circle The Estate of Betsy Adams The Estate of Clara L. Anderson Stan Applebaum The Estate of Susan Irene Archer Danny & Lynda Askew John & Patti Atwill Beth Baldwin W. Michael Banks* The Estate of Charlotte Berston Tracey A. Biles Dr. Arthur E. & Pamela H. Bilyeu The Estate of Myrtie A. Black + Clarissa & Pierpont Brown III, MD Steve & Carol Burrell Dr. James A. Butts Doug Carter Wayne & Nancy Colston Leonard & Peggie Colvin Mr. & Mrs. James M. Coyle John & Mary Lynn Coyle Dr. John W. & Sally Darden Murray & Daphne David Carlos L. Dominguez The Estate of William E. Dunlap Dot Dusenberry Gene Dusenberry* John & Lydia Ferguson The Estate of Grady & Lillian Fraser Jim & Judy Gardner Cindy Green & Larry Monroe +B Frank Green* Lillie Mae Green Adam S. Hicks William E. Hicks, Jr. Philip & Shirley Hudgins Elizabeth P. Johnson Christina D. Jones Rick Kimpling Dr. & Mrs. William T. Langston The Estate of Victor L. Lee Sara Eleanor Lloyd James E. Mathis, Jr. Kevin & April Matson Mr. & Mrs. J.B. McKibbon, Jr. Dana Miller Jim & Evanda Moore

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The Estate of Donald R. Myers Don Pirkle+ Lona Pope The Estate of Richard Pope The V.C and Mary A. Puckett Foundation Lawrence B. & Sherrie N. Schrage The Estate of Margie Nadine Sealy LeTrell E. Simpson The Estate of Joanne Smith Lynda Stewart W. Woodrow Stewart* Robert W. Swoszowski Tracy Tesmer George Thomas The Estate of Ruth Johnson Whelchel Nell W. Wiegand * Philip & Mary Hart Wilheit Robert T. Willis, Jr. Trellis Society – Platinum ($1,000 – $9,999) Suman & Pallavi Annambhotla Danny & Lynda Askew Abi & Raj Ayyathurai Craig & Lori Baden Jay & Sandra Barnhill Alexander & Heidi Benz Dr. Emily Anne Black & Mr. Douglas P. Black Charles & Jane Bradley Craig & Jennifer Brown Lawrence & Tara Bullard + Dr. Allen & Valerie Butts Tim & Suzie Carey Armando & Shirley Castillo Richard & Joanne Cory + Julia & John Cromartie Dr. & Mrs. Mohak Dave Ben & Adair Carlisle Lawrence & Kathryn Dudas Dr. Allison & Mr. Drew Dupont Ezra & Jean-Marie Ellis Rick & Bea Ferguson +B Roderick & Anne Finlayson Don & Susan Freeman Philippe & Lesley Gadegbeku Ryan & Lisa Gethers Drs. Michael & Jennifer Gottsman Betsy & Raymond Grunch Sujoy & Creighton Gulati Billy & Kathy Gunn B Kristin & Colin Halligan Dr. & Mrs. William C. Hallowes, Jr. Dr. Doug & Deb Harkrider Khary & Janaye Harmon Richard M. Harris Holt & Jaimie Harrison Mark & Fran Hazel Dr. and Mrs. Wes Head Dr. & Mrs. John L. Hemmer Drs. Greg & Katie Herzog Wayne & Ruth Hill + Stephen & Beth Hodes + Drs. Brenda Hott & David Olansky + Lew & Wanda Hudson B Sherri Hughes Jim & Karen Jackson + Todd & Tammera Jordan + David & Ki Knowles Francis & Sandra Lake Frank & Jane Lake Ben H. Lancaster, Jr. Griff & Nikki Law Antoine & Heneicia Leflore Jason & Heather Lemons Dr. & Mrs. J. Jeffrey Marshall Greg & Candi Martin Lee & Dedra Martin + Courtney A. McKay, MD & J. Franklin McKay Douglas & Jayashree Morrison Heidi Nicholson & David Potter John & Linda Nix Drs. Tomohiro & Jennifer Oshimura + Namita & Kapil Pareek Rafael & Angela Pascual Arif & Rishma Patni Derek & Scarlet Pendarvis Mrs. Bess Poole Julie & Clint Presley Jesse & Kerri Prince

Carol & Todd Pryby Malay & Rachana Rao Dr. & Mrs. Sam Rauch Drs. Akhil & Ami Saraswat + Drs. Christina Saurel & Mark Kats Josh & Crystal Schlieman Timothy & Mary Scully Neeraj & Lisa Sharma Mr. & Mrs. W. H. Slack III Dr. & Mrs. Rodney L. Smith Sam & Mary Stanford Scott & Janelle Stephen Raj Swami & Jenny Contreras Mr. Bill Swan Jeff & Stacey Terry Pam & Dick Treadwell Gonzalo & Cathy Villalobos + Drs. Christy & Ben Wagner + Jimmy & Jackie Wallace Howard & Sally Walpole Geoffrey & Michelle Weidner Joey & Meredith West Anu & Kelvin Whisenhunt Mr. Bryan & Dr. Donna Whitfield Pete & Devon Williams Dr. & Mrs. Robert J. Winham Women’s Club of Chateau Elan B Dr. Gregory and Mary Woods Dr. & Mrs. Victor Zubar + Trellis Society – Gold ($500 - $999) Drew & Shanna Addison Matt & Kate Cook Larry & Kathy Dent Mr. & Mrs. David Griffin Lee Johnson Mrs. Joan Kosmala Mrs. Deborah K. Mack Mahmoud & Laila Mohamed Ranjit & Pushpa Patel Siamak (Mak) Yari Trellis Society – Silver ($250 - $499) J. & Cindi Alexander Dr. & Mrs. Charles E. Allen Larry & Elisabeth Baldwin Virginia M. Benefield Steve & Merry Blair Greg & Barbara Bostwick Mr. & Mrs. Bob Bowman Paul & Kimberly Davidson Mark & Ellen DeFoor Chuck & Betty Dyarmett Junior & Sharon Flanigan Drs. Abhishek & Swati Gaur Kevin J. & Doris Ellen Guidry Dr. Ben & Suzie Hawkins Jack & Caroline Keener Dianne L. Kosmala Matt & Bethany Magnus Mr. & Mrs. Phillip B. Sartain Hal & Caroline Silcox Mr. & Mrs. Edmund A. Waller, Sr. Mitch & Anslee Wilson Trellis Society – Bronze ($100 - $249) 1 Anonymous Donor Betty Beck Marqurer Cruce & Bill Bellisle Walter & Winkie Boomershine Allison Borchert John Breakfield Diana Browne Lawana W. Bryan Bobby & Patti Chambers Joe & Diane Chipman Bonnie Cody Collins Property Group, LLC Dr. & Mrs. L.E. Conyers Randy & Joni Coody Jody & Lora Cooley Betty W. Deadwyler Bob & Wanda Dowdy Arthur & Shirley Dunbar Lewis & Paula Elliott Jimmy & Marie Faulkner Brett & Laura Fowler Dr. & Mrs. Henry G. Goble Col. & Mrs. Joseph H. Goble

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Pam & Benjy Griffin Carrie Hatfield Barbara J. Hermann Mr. & Mrs. Kenneth B. Herock Tim & Connie Holland Mike & Lynn Hulsey Brenda & Larry Jamieson Henry & Cecily Kannapell Nietta Kent Art & Kay Kunzer Morgan & Kelly Lee Kristina H. Leggett Chuck & Penny Lisowski Marvin & Cleda Locey Hubert & Rowena Lovell Ellis & Gordon McIntyre Dr. Robert & Deanna Milledge Brenda Morgan Mr. & Mrs. Guy N. Mullinax Mary Ellen Murray Mr. Doyle T. Odell GW & Brenda Ours Sylvia B. Palmer Juanita Pardue Wendall Parker Dr. & Mrs. Randy Phillips Debbie & Neil Pittman Harold Platt Wilma S. Propes Richard & Tena Riley Joe & Caryl Roark Peter & Gertrud Rocco Claude & Mary Schneider Ed & Myra Schrader Steve & Olivia Shockley Fred & Olivia E. Skey Merita T. Smith Jamie & Colby Smithson Susan Smithson Bernice Snyder Bryan & Judy St. Pierre Jimmy & Janis Stapleton Damian J & Rhonda E Stites Dr. & Mrs. John C. Sundstrom Ted & Michelle Versteeg Cathy & Seth Vining Stuart Virgin Margaret S. Walker William B & Pamela Ware Elsie Weisenbacher Michael & Mickie Westbrook Sara P. Wheeler Mr. & Mrs. Brown Wilder William & Ludin Wilmont Selena Womac The following donors have made memorial or honorarium gifts of $100 or more from February 1, 2017- July 31, 2017.

Donations to Breast Cancer Navigator Program Janet L. Scott Donations to Camp Braveheart Tori H. Mabry Donations to Cancer Services Fred H. Dissen Sara P. Wheeler

Ms. Rosean White-Lehr Mr. & Mrs. Warren Stribling IV Donations to Healthy Journey Mrs. Bess Poole LeTrell E. Simpson Jimmy & Jackie Wallace In honor of: Endoscopy Department Lewis Elliott Dr. Tim Fulenwider David Chester Tony Herdener The Medical Center Auxiliary John Nix Pittman Construction Co. Don & Dot Pirkle The Medical Center Foundation, Inc. Dorthy Dusenberry Pirkle Don Pirkle Radiology Staff William H. Slack Philip Wilheit, Sr Pittman Construction Co. In memory of: Phyllis Anderson Mr. & Mrs. Griff Law

In memory of: Phyllis Anderson Dora K. Jenkins Anne W. Thomas Winnie Barton Tom E. Fish Cecilia Battersby Carys B. Strain Josh Billo Rebecca Hair

Felicia Burns Martha R. Jacobs

William Buffington Nancy Buffington

Jessie Crumley Tripp Hill

Yvonne L. Burns Dr. & Mrs. David T. Hill

Jimmie Glosson Todd Moody

Frances Coker Ed Albrechet

Donald Hammond Northeast Georgia Diagnostic Clinic, LLC

Nina Collins Samuel A. Stiteler Walter Wood

Harriet Hulsey Mr. & Mrs. Griff Law Dr. Henry Jennings Luke Gregory Rebecca Hair Martha R. Jacobs Scott McGarity Mr. & Mrs. Henry C. Rigdon, III Carol R. Scott LeTrell E. Simpson The Medical Center Auxiliary The Medical Center Foundation, Inc. John Kesler Scott McGarity Jack McDaniel Benny & Susan Bagwell Walton Moore The Medical Center Auxiliary

In honor of: Dr. Annambhotla Annette S. Green Dr. & Mrs. Ed Wall Joseph Glover In memory of: Dr. Henry Jennings Mr. & Mrs. Warren Stribling IV

Tommy Phillips LeTrell E. Simpson Betsey D. Poorman-Pirola Mr. Joseph F. Pirola, Jr.

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In honor of: Hospice Staff Porfirio Hernandez

Sylvia Bowen Elizabeth B. Grimes

Dr. Hamil Murray Martha R. Jacobs

Dr. Leland Poole Mr. & Mrs. Warren Stribling IV

Donations to Hospice of NGMC David Chester Kevin Guidry Sherri Hughes Jack & Caroline Keener Ms. Dianne L. Kosmala Mrs. Joan L. Kosmala Patricia L. Menard Mahmoud & Laila Mohamed Mary Ellen Murray Damian J. Stites The Blue Sneakers Club of Village at Deaton Creek The Medical Center Auxiliary

Lamar Bagwell LeTrell E. Simpson

Donations to Cardiac Services Richard M. Harris

Dr. Hamil Murray Mr. & Mrs. Warren Stribling IV

Arthur Weisenbacher Elsie Weisenbacher

Janet Sanders Benny & Susan Bagwell Joan Turk Benny & Susan Bagwell Max Ward Martha R. Jacobs Scott McGarity

JK Crumley Richard Coleman Juanita L. Crumley Robert Fowler Starlet R. Jones Lona Pope Mildred Rider LeTrell E. Simpson Risky Business Investment Club Stewart, Melvin & Frost, LLP Edna Dale Kittie P. Ross William Elton Cassandra H. Elton Horace Fitzpatrick Joe Avery Martha A. Davis Northeast Georgia Diagnostic Clinic, LLC Joel Palmer White County Republican Party Jimmy Glosson Vicki S. Arnold Donna M. Painter Alphine Gorman Katherine Dale Family of Henry & Edna Vickers Angie Lawless Marilyn Heberlein Bradshaw, Pope, & Company, LLP Thomas R. Tinder Paula Hernandez Porfirio Hernandez

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Harriett Hulsey Dora K. Jenkins

Maria Pia Cornejo Jodi Whitney

Dr. Henry Jennings Dr. & Mrs. William T. Langston

Donations to NGMC Braselton Kevin Guidry The Benevity Community Impact Fund

Ancil Kastner Cathy Fuller Richard Kelley Louise Terrell Thomas Kent Nietta E. Kent Matilda Kirby Stephen W. Chappelle Melinda Krarup Theresa Bonnett

In memory of: Dr. Ernest Kamara Michael Reese Health Trust Donations to Pastoral Care In memory of: Benny Adams Jeff Thompson Ed Holland Jeff Thompson

James Land Betty Roy National Auto

Donations to Ronnie Green Heart Center Bill Swan The Medical Center Auxiliary

Edward Langert Robert Belin

In memory of: Pat Hughes Ritchie McLamb Harold Smith Betty Varnadore

Harold Law Dora K. Jenkins Starlet R. Jones National Auto JoAnn Lovell Ranjit & Pushpa Patel Donald McClure MTI Robin Merrill Tom E. Fish Jerald Pace Hilda Pace Jody Pollan Louis Gerland Starlet R. Jones Kathleen Phillips Jeanne P. Deboer Elizabeth S. Ellard New Holland Knowledge Academy Dudley Ray W. D. David Patricia M. Patten Edward Ross Ronald E. Anderson Craig Elder Andy Russell Dora K. Jenkins A.B. Sailors, Jr. Judy C. Beaver Betty McDonald Jacqueline Sikes Sharon A. Harnell Lloyd Hofer Keitt Smith Dora K. Jenkins Tom Vizzini Douglas Denise Arthur Weisenbacher Elsie Weisenbacher Donation to The Medical Center Foundation Endowment In memory of: Dr. Henry Jennings Dr. Howard T. Walpole Dr. Hamil Murray Dr. Howard T. Walpole Donald Phillips Lake Lanier Sailing Club Edward Ross

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Tommy Phillips Mr. & Mrs. Bob Coleman Jeffrey McIntire Donations to Safe Kids The Medical Center Auxiliary Donation to SimNewB Maintenance Anonymous Donor Donations to NathanSchrage Teaching Center In honor of: Mrs. Muriel H. Nathan The Medical Center Foundation, Inc. NGHS Employees W.A.T.C.H. (We Are Targeting Community Healthcare) The following employee donors joined the employee giving campaign at various giving levels February 1, 2017 – July 31, 2017: 87 Anonymous Donors Leia Able Lena Acker Amabel S. Acosta JoAnna Adams Amanda Adams Mary Aefila Temidayo Ademokoya Janet Aguirre Nancy Aldaco Brittnay Alexander Lemechel Allen Keith Allen Alicia Allison Diane Allison Ejaz Anam Angela Anderson Leah Anderson Maricza Andrade Nicole L. Archie Erica Arellano Nicholas Armour Kyle P. Atkins Brian Aultman Carla Avitia Patty Bagwell Karen Bailey Tiffany J. Baker Nicole Barber Mallory Barrett Brandi Barrett Gwen Bell Kasey Bartley Bailey Beard Angela Belford Caleb Bemis Jan Bennett Lara Bizzotto Andrea Bloodworth

Alicia Lauren Boss Maggie Britt Andrea N. Brown Donna Brown Abigail Brown Cindy Browning Emilie Brymer Lauren Buchanan Casmia Buffington Ashley Bulloch Sue Ellen Bunnell Becky Buscema Rachel Bussink Judy Cain Mary Caine Kirsten Callihan Chynna Campbell Janee Cantrell Eric Carlson Megan Carney Kierstun Carrs Denise Carter Neile B. Chambers Fred Chaney Teresa Charles Harlee Cheshire Jennifer L. Cheek Ruth Chester Deirdre Clark Stefan Clark Denita Clarke Cheri Clary Tom Cleveland Cassie Cobb Simon Cobian Tammy Coleman Linda Collier Jessica H. Cotton Ella Craig Tiffany Craig Kelli Cronier Jamie Cronier Kayla Crosby Brandon Crosby Matthew Crumpton Gene Cucuta Connie Daniels Sandra Daust Silvia Davila Marisa De Gannes Laura De La Rosa Brittney Dean Jennifer Delaney Priscilla Dickens Christina DiPlotti Kasey Dixon Lane Dobbs Karis A. Dobey Brandie Donlan Satrice L. Dorsey April Dorvault Keshia Douglas Jana Duncan Kelli Duncan Amanda Dutton Shawn Edoimloya Connie Edwards Nikki Ellis Suzi Elmore Courtney Epperson Rebecca Espinosa Hannah C. Espinoza Alison V. Evans Nayima Evans Rachel Ezell Sonya Farmer Sarah Feinberg Jessica Fields Mark Fillingham Rianna Fisher Keisha Fluellen Victoria Fontana Marie Forrester Jonathan Fountain Marlie Fredette Joanna Funk Renah Gallagher Briana Gallman

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Lisa Gannon Drew Gardner Lorraine Gates Natalyn German Lauren Gertsen Ashley Glenn Shannon Glover Leslie Godfrey Shanda Gonzales Hillary Gosnell Sherri L. Gray Erin Green Ana Sofia Griffin Amanda Griffin Kristin Griffin Jennifer Grimes Jessica Guembes Katie Hamilton Katie Hamilton Michelle Hardin Heather Hardy Mark Hardy Stacy Harned Brenda Hart Kaylia Hawk Jessica Hawkins Mayra Hernandez Vanessa Hernandez Adriana Herrera Brittany Hewell Brynn Hill Kyrie Hill Gay Hoffman Shinecka Hopkins Donna Howard Michaella Hulsey Kim Humphries Maria Ibarra Jacqueline Infante Dawn D. Irvin Zohra Ishfaq Amber Ivey Sherry Jackson Sandra January Angel Jarrard Jamie Jaudon Paige A. Johnson Amber Johnson Andrea Johnson Hillary Jones Brock Jones Lynn Jones Ashley Jones Sam Jones Angela Jones Andrea Jones Jennifer Jordan Stephanie Jordan Stephanie Kaiser Siddy Kanyembo Raechelle Kelley Morgan Kelly Jeanne Kemper Gina Kendrix Jill Kennedy Tracy Killian Monica King Kimberly King Rachel Klosterman Regina Knighton Jacquline Komonski Nicholas Krajcovic Michelle Kubicek Matt Lacey Eric H. Langley, Jr. Leanne LaRosa Samuel Latimer Annie Laveaux Raven Leedy Brittany Leggett Bonnie Leonard Laurie Lesniak Paige Lewis Julie Lewis Jackie Lee Longenecker II Carolina Lopera-Sierra Keisha Louallen Rho Love

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Sarah Lovejoy JR Lubin Tori Lunsford Amber J. Manders Joshua Manga Kesh Mapp Chris Martinez Latauna Matthews Carl Maurisma Julie Mayes Tara Mayfield Victoria B. Mays Cindy McCallister Leigh-Anne McClellon Marc McCloskey Ruth McFearin Kelly Ann McGillivray Karen McKenzie Donna McNabb Edwin Mejia Arisbey Mejia Ellie Mentonelli Jessica Metcalf Lori Mikek MacKenzie Miller Johana Minaya Dawnitta Mitchell Cristina Monreal Lisa Amanda Moore Kim-Sun Moreira Alejandra Munoz Christina Myles Dawn Nicholson Carol Nicholson Charlie Nix Logan Norris Page Odum Kiley Oliver Lori Ortega Courage Osagie Sarah Owens Louqina Pannell Stevie Parker Rushina Patel Tracey Patskanick Kelee Patterson Wesley Paul Elisabeth Peevy Nida Pelcha Erin Perkins Camille Perry Kimlee Peterson Wendy L. Phalan Alexis Phillips Blake Poole Nikki Poole Michelle Povolny Jennifer Powell Diane Propes Kelsey Purcell Nano Ramirez Yomira Ramirez Cecilia Ramos Asha Reavis Tender Redding Michael Redmond Tracy ReeceNiki Reeve Amber Reid Erica Restrepo Melissa Reynolds Angela Ricks Caryn Ridenour Cami Ridgeway Charles W. Roach Lindsey Robbins Spencer Chase Roberts Colby Roberts Nicole Robinson Kerelyn Marie Rodriguez Veronica Rodriguez Randi Rogers Liria Romero Angela D. Ross Miryana C. Rucker Nia Ruiz Teresa Ryder Consuelo Salinas Penny Sammons

Darrell Scott Sanderson PJ Satayabut Heather Scalise Linda Scanzillo Patricia Schriver Gabriela Sepulveda Jay Sessions Jana Shelton Kristina Sherred Summer Shockley Anita Shropshire Jennifer Simmons Jordany Simon Brianna Simonds Jonta Simpson Shaylynn Sisum Virginia Sizemore Cheri Skeean Kelsey Skinner Dee Smalley Kelly Smallwood Laurente Smink Jan Smith Amy Smith Kelley Smith Melissa Smith Heather Smith Alexis South Laura Spencer Marty L. Staton Brian D. Steines Noreen Stuefloten Kevin Swing Jacqueline Sydnor-Owens Renelsa Sykes Klarissa Talley Damesha Tanner Ann Testman Jessica Thomas Brittany Towe Danny Trent Hanna Turcotte Megan Turner Ashley Turner Nancy Turpin Mayra Urias Lesly Valencia Debbie VanSandt Ruth Vasquez Laria Vides Nicole Walker Tina Cooper Waller Nikki Walls Lois Warbington Whitney Waters Ashlee Watznauer Christopher Webb James Welch Amy Weldon Julia Westbrook Tayler White Ali Wiggins Mary Wilcox Lauren Wilkinson Emerald T. Williams TeEricka Williams Madeline Williams LaShonte Williams Kristi Williamson Emily Willig Ariean Wilmont Laura Wilson Kim Wood James Wooden Madison B. Wright Ray Wright Ginger Wright Donnell Wright Tricia Yasmer Selena York Laurie Young Michelle Zimmerman Anna M. Zuares

FOUNDATION GIVING CLUBS

One hundred percent of all contributions to The Medical Center Foundation support funding initiatives. The Medical Center Foundation, an affiliate of Northeast Georgia Health System, works to fulfill the mission of improving the health of our community.

The Foundation raises funds to improve the health and well-being of the people of northeast Georgia.

Signature Gifts

($100,000 or greater during a single giving campaign) Those who have made a major gift naming opportunity to improve quality healthcare development

The Laurel Society

($10,000 - $99,999 during a single giving campaign) Individuals with the long-term interest of NGHS and the community it serves in mind Platinum Leaf – $50,000 -$99,000 Gold Leaf – $25,000 - $49,999 Silver Leaf – $10,000 - $24,999

The James H. Downey Society

($3,000 - $99,999 during a single giving campaign) Active and retired physicians who are committed to improving the health of our community through education and outreach programs

The Legacy Circle

Individuals who create a personal legacy in support of healthcare programs and services of NGHS by remembering The Medical Center Foundation in planning their estates

The Arbor Circle

($4,500 or greater during a single giving campaign) Businesses and corporations who have committed to support the community and NGHS Signature – $100,000 or greater Diamond – $50,000 - $99,999 Platinum – $25,000 - $49,999 Gold – $10,000 - $24,999 Silver – $4,500 - $9,999

The Trellis Society

($100 - $9,999 annually) Community members who make an annual gift of $100 or more toward development projects of NGHS Platinum – $1,000 - $9,999 Gold – $500 - $999 Silver – $250 - $499 Bronze – $100 - $249

W.A.T.C.H.

Employees of NGHS who have made a commitment at any of the above giving levels to the employee giving campaign

8/29/17 1:02 PM

DISCRIMINATION IS IS AGAINST AGAINST THE THE LAW LAW DISCRIMINATION Northeast Georgia Health System, Inc. (NGHS) complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex.

NGHS does not exclude people or treat them differently because of race, color, national origin, age, disability or sex.

NGHS: • Provides free aids and services to people with disabilities to communicate effectively with us, such as: • Qualified sign language interpreters • Written information in other formats (large print, audio, accessible electronic formats, other formats) • Provides free language services to people whose primary language is not English, such as: • Qualified interpreters • Information written in other languages If you need these services, contact: NGHS’ Customer Care Resource Center Telephone Number: 770-219-2998.

If you believe that NGHS has failed to provide these services or discriminated in another way on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex, you can file a grievance with: NGHS Corporate Compliance 743 Spring Street NE Gainesville, GA 30501 Telephone Number: 770-219-5403, (TTY: 1-800-255-0135) (VRS: 1-888-888-1116) Fax: 770-219-2910, or Email: corporate.compliance@nghs.com.

You can file a grievance in person or by mail, fax or email. If you need help filing a grievance, NGHS Corporate Compliance is available to help you.

You can also file a civil rights complaint with the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights electronically through the Office for Civil Rights Complaint Portal, available at https://ocrportal.hhs.gov/ocr/portal/lobby.jsf, or by mail or phone at: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 200 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, D.C. 20201 Phone: 1-800-868-1019 TDD: 1-800-537-7697 Complaint forms are available at http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/office/file/index.html.

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,

ATENCIÓN: si habla español, tiene a su disposición servicios gratuitos de asistencia lingüística. Llame al 770-219-1689 (TTY: 1-800-255-0135) (VRS: 1-888-888-1116).

CHÚ Ý: Nếu bạn nói Tiếng Việt, có các dịch vụ hỗ trợ ngôn ngữ miễn phí dành cho bạn. Gọi số 770219-1689 (TTY: 1-800-255-0135) (VRS: 1-888-888-1116). 주의: 한국어를 사용하시는 경우, 언어 지원 서비스를 무료로 이용하실 수 있습니다. 770-2191689 (TTY: 1-800-255-0135) (VRS: 1- 888-888-1116) 번으로 전화해 주십시오. 注意：如果您使用繁體中文，您可以免費獲得語言援助服務。請致電770-219-1689 (TTY: 1-800-255-0135) (VRS: 1-888-888-1116).� �

ુ ના: જો તમે ગજ ુ રાતી બોલતા હો, તો નન:શલ્ુ ક ભાષા સહાય સેવાઓ તમારા માટે ઉપલબ્ધ છે . ફોન સચ કરો 770-219-1689 (TTY: 1-800-255-0135) (VRS: 1-888-888-1116).

ATTENTION : Si vous parlez français, des services d'aide linguistique vous sont proposés gratuitement.

Appelez le 770-219-1689 (TTY: 1-800-255-0135) (VRS: 1- 888-888-1116). ማስታወሻ: የሚናገሩት ቋንቋ ኣማርኛ ከሆነ የትርጉም እርዳታ ድርጅቶች፣ በነጻ ሊያግዝዎት ተዘጋጀተዋል፡ ወደ ሚከተለው ቁጥር ይደውሉ 770-219-1689 (መስማት ለተሳናቸው: 1-800-255-0135) (VRS: 888-888-1116). ध्यान दें: यदद आप ह द िं ी बोलते हैं तो आपके ललए मुफ्त में भाषा सहायता सेवाएं उपलब्ध हैं। 770-219-1689 (TTY: 1-800-255-0135) (VRS: 1-888-888-1116). पर कॉल करें ।

ATANSYON: Si w pale Kreyòl Ayisyen, gen sèvis èd pou lang ki disponib gratis pou ou. Rele 770-2191689 (TTY: 1-800-255-0135) (VRS: 1-888-888-1116). ВНИМАНИЕ: Если вы говорите на русском языке, то вам доступны бесплатные услуги перевода. Звоните 770-219-1689 (телетайп: 1-800-255-0135) (VRS: 1-888-888-1116). ‫ )رقم‬1689-219-770 ‫ اتصل برقم‬.‫ فإن خدمات المساعدة اللغویة تتوافر لك بالمجان‬،‫ إذا كنت تتحدث اذكر اللغة‬:‫ملحوظة‬ .(0135-255-800-1) :‫( والبكم الصم ھ‬VRS: 1116-888-888-1).

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ATENÇÃO: Se fala português, encontram-se disponíveis serviços linguísticos, grátis. Ligue para हैं। 770-219-1689 (TTY: 1-800-255-0135) (VRS: 1-888-888-1116). ‫بگیرید تماس‬. ‫ تسھیالت زبانی بصورت رایگان برای شما‬،‫ اگر بھ زبان فارسی گفتگو می کنید‬:‫ توجھ‬। 770-219-1689 (TTY: 1-800-2550135) (VRS: 1-888-888-1116). ‫ باشد می ف‬.‫با‬ ACHTUNG: Wenn Sie Deutsch sprechen, stehen Ihnen kostenlos sprachliche Hilfsdienstleistungen zur Verfügung. Rufnummer: । 770-219-1689 (TTY: 1-800-255-0135) (VRS: 1-888-888-1116). 注意事項：日本語を話される場合、無料の言語支援をご利用いただけます。770-219-1689 (TTY:1-800-255-0135) (VRS: 1-888-888-1116）まで、お電話にてご連絡ください。

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Northeast Georgia Medical Center 743 Spring Street Gainesville, GA 30501-3899

Non-Profit Organization US POSTAGE PAID Gainesville, Ga. Permit 6

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We hope you never face cancer, but if you do, the people of Northeast Georgia Medical Center will stand by you. It’s a tough battle, but you won’t face it alone. Choose a doctor at one of the nation’s leading cancer centers at nghs.com/top9

RANKED IN THE TOP 9% OF CANCER CENTERS IN THE NATION 770-824-9262

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