Terry England, the Chief of Staff at the Georgia House of Representatives, makes a triumphant return to the fields and the floor following a traumatic spinal cord injury. Read his story on page 3.
Erin Gibson, editor
Gregg Carson, designer
Sean Couch, executive director
Russ Davis, director
Abigail Davis, writer
Mark Richens, writer
Layne Saliba, writer
Paige Yingst, writer
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
Glennis Barnes
Hospital Authority of Hall County & City of Gainesville
Spence Price
Northeast Georgia Health System
Semuel Maysonet
Northeast Georgia Medical Center
Pepper Brown, MD
Northeast Georgia Health System Foundation
Natalie Challen
Northeast Georgia Health System Auxiliary
Antonio Rios, MD
Northeast Georgia Physicians Group
Antonio Rios, MD
Northeast Georgia Health Partners Network
This organization does not discriminate against any patient because of race, creed, color, national origin, religion, 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 to support the organization’s mission.
from our president
It’s hard to believe this is already the second issue of Communicare since I had the honor and privilege of taking the helm as president and CEO of Northeast Georgia Health System (NGHS). The past six months have flown by! I’ve learned so much and met so many people throughout the health system and in this wonderful community, and all of my interactions have confirmed what I suspected before my first day on the job: this entire region and our health system are in an enviable position of growing and thriving.
Growth brings tremendous opportunity, but it also brings its share of challenges. That’s why NGHS refers to all of our projects to expand our services as “Growing the Greater Good.” Simply repeating the words – Growing the Greater Good – reminds our teams that the ripple effect of their work goes beyond the bedside and buildings. These projects are about improving access to care, creating new jobs, spurring economic development and much more. It is one more way that we work to fulfill our mission of improving the health of our community in all we do.
In the pages ahead, you’ll see some of our growth reflected in stories about expanding services to rebuild a pediatric playground at Northeast Georgia Medical Center Gainesville (page 15), providing more access to specialty care along Highway 316 in Bethlehem (page 13) and pushing the limits of what’s possible through robotic surgery (page 19). Please take time to read about how our Level 1 Trauma Center in Gainesville saved the life of one of Georgia’s leaders (page 3), how our orthopedic surgery team helped a local musician get back on stage (page 5) and how an interventional pain medicine physician and a neurosurgeon partnered to fix a great-grandmother’s back pain (page 11).
Last, but not least, I want to call out that a recent study by the Georgia Hospital Association credits NGHS with contributing more than $7.8 billion to our local and state economies. The study also reported our more than $76 million in charity care and found that our economic impact sustained more than 23,000 full-time jobs throughout the region and state – in addition to the more than 12,000 people directly employed by our organization. That’s a fiscal responsibility to the community and state that we don’t take lightly and why we are so committed to our effort to Grow the Greater Good.
Thank you for welcoming my family and me so warmly to this organization and this community, and I look forward to all that’s ahead.
President & CEO
BACK IN THE FIELD
On a quiet February morning, Terry England -- Chief of Staff for the Georgia House of Representatives -- was working on his family farm in Auburn. He had just started moving a load of saw logs with his skid steer when the machine suddenly tipped forward. His head bounced off the roof of the cab several times, and then everything went black.
“I don’t remember much,” said Terry. “But I do remember I was having trouble breathing.”
Luckily, his father and a neighbor were close by and saw the accident. They called 9-1-1.
Barrow County EMS responded to the call. In less than 30 minutes, he was at Northeast Georgia Medical Center (NGMC) Gainesville, a Level 1 trauma center equipped to handle traumatic injuries of any kind.
After preliminary testing, it was discovered Terry had suffered central cord syndrome, a spinal cord injury that causes paralysis of the spine. Zain Boghani, MD, a neurosurgeon with Northeast Georgia Physicians Group Neurosurgery, led his care.
“Terry had hyperextended his neck and suffered a serious spinal cord injury that required immediate surgery,” said Dr. Boghani “Thanks to the advanced surgical equipment and technology we have here, we were able to act quickly and perform a successful surgery to decompress the spinal cord and stabilize his cervical spine.”
Terry was the first trauma patient seen in the emergency department of the new Green Tower, which opened that morning. The new space was designed for high-level trauma care, and Terry’s care team moved quickly and efficiently.
“When I got the call, I drove to the hospital faster than I probably should have,” said Cindy, Terry’s wife. “We found out later that it was the first day the new tower opened. But it didn’t take away from the level of care at all. Everyone was incredible and knew exactly what to do.”
Terry had previously been cared for by Chad Bell, PA-C, a physician assistant with the NGPG Neurosurgery team. Bell was once again involved in his care.
“These types of injuries can be complex and may have lasting effects without timely intervention,” Bell said. “But with our fast
EMS response and strong coordination between trauma and neurosurgery teams, patients like Terry have a much better chance at recovery.”
Cindy also recognized Wilson Pierce, the nurse manager of NGMC Gainesville’s Emergency Department, from a local youth development program called 4-H.
“It was terrifying not knowing what the outcome would be,” said Cindy. “But I felt confident seeing familiar faces. Even though the hospital has grown to provide world class care, I knew it would still be our community hospital.”
After a successful hospital stay in Gainesville, Terry spent two and a half months at Shepherd Center in Atlanta for rehabilitation. He later spent some time continuing physical and occupational therapy in Braselton.
Before his injury, Terry had been a strong supporter of emergency care in Georgia. As a state legislator, he backed funding for trauma centers and supported efforts that helped NGMC Gainesville become a Level I trauma center.
“I’ve been in public service long enough to remember when Georgia didn’t have enough trauma centers,” Terry said. “We talked a lot about faster response, better coverage and hospital coordination. Seeing how far we’ve come, and being on the receiving end of it, really drives it home.”
Terry’s experience shows what’s possible when preparation, teamwork and access to care come together.
“No one expects to be in an emergency like mine,” he said. “But when you are, it helps to know you have a Level I trauma center close to home. And also – don’t forget to wear a seatbelt!”
To learn more about our Level I trauma center visit nghs.com/trauma
A Comeback in Time
Mercer Crook with his sons, Michael on trumpet and Rory on trombone, at the Arts Council Summer Music Series in Gainesville.
When Mercer Crook took the stage last summer with his band, Back in Time, it was more than just another performance. It was a triumphant return for a man whose life has been centered around rhythm, harmony and resilience.
Mercer is beloved in Hall County and known for his long-standing commitment to music and education. He is a former Band Director at East Hall High School and is the principal oboist with the Gainesville Symphony Orchestra. Additionally, he plays in an 11-piece rock-and-roll tribute band called Back in Time, which includes his two sons, Michael on trumpet and Rory on valve trombone.
But behind the music lies a story of extraordinary perseverance.
In 2009, Mercer survived a devastating car accident that left him in a coma for five weeks, followed by more than three months in recovery, and ultimately having to learn to move and walk again. Just five years later, he was diagnosed with Guillain-Barré Syndrome, a rare neurological disorder. Luckily, it was identified and treated quickly, but the recovery was another long and challenging road.
Most recently, Mercer faced another hurdle: debilitating knee pain that threatened to silence his music once again. Years of wear and tear, compounded by hardware from a previous femur fracture, made traditional knee replacement surgery risky and complex.
But Mercer found a new path forward thanks to the advanced capabilities of robotic-assisted surgery and the skill of Northeast Georgia Physicians Group orthopedic surgeon Shan Sharif, MD.
Robotic-assisted surgery represents a significant leap forward in orthopedic care, offering hope and optimism for patients. The technology allows surgeons to create a 3D model of the patient’s anatomy and plan the procedure accurately. Then, during the procedure, the robotic system provides real-time feedback and guidance, allowing the surgeon to make exact movements.
“Removing the hardware from previous surgeries would have significantly complicated the knee replacement,” explained Dr. Sharif. “Using robotic technology allows us to precisely navigate around the hardware and perform a successful knee replacement.”
Just six weeks after surgery, Mercer was walking without pain, without assistive devices, and—most importantly—without limitations.
“I’m doing things I haven’t been able to do in years,” he shared. “It’s like getting a part of my life back.”
Dr. Sharif is currently one of the few orthopedic surgeons at Northeast Georgia Health System offering this advanced robotic procedure, which allows for greater precision, faster recovery and better long-term outcomes.
For Mercer, the results have been life changing. His performance with Back in Time at the Arts Council Summer Music Series in Gainesville marked a return to the stage and a celebration of community, innovation and the healing power of perseverance.
“I’m grateful for the care I’ve received and the technology that made it possible,” Mercer said, “But more than anything, I’m grateful to be back doing what I love with the people I love right here in the community that’s supported me every step of the way.”
To learn more about knee surgery options, including robotic surgery, visit ngpg.org/knee
When knee pain keeps you from doing what you love, it’s time to take action. At NGPG Orthopedic Surgery and Sports Medicine, we treat everything from everyday joint pain to ligament injuries and arthritis. With options like knee arthroscopy, ACL repair, and full knee replacement, we’ll help you regain strength, comfort, and confidence.
Schedule your appointment at scan the code or call 770-264-2225
‘EVERYTHING HAD TO GO RIGHT’
After surviving cardiac arrest, he’s making the most of better health
As a trained accountant, Damon Wells has a mind for numbers. So, he has thought about what his odds of survival were when he went into cardiac arrest earlier this year.
“I should have bought a Powerball ticket that day,” jokes Damon, 58, who lives in Barrow County.
Of course, it wasn’t just luck that kept him alive. He had the good fortune of getting timely, expert care.
“For me to still be me,” he says, “is kind of amazing.”
Damon doesn’t remember much about that day. It was January 5, and he was working at a warehouse in Jefferson.
“The young ladies who saw me say I turned around, my right hand reached up like I was grabbing my chest, and then I dropped like a puppet whose strings got cut,” he says.
An onsite medic got to Damon in just 11 seconds. He used an automated external defibrillator (AED) to shock Damon’s heart out of the so-called fatal heart rhythm that caused his cardiac arrest. The medic also did CPR for seven minutes until Jackson County paramedics arrived.
On the ride to Northeast Georgia Medical Center (NGMC) Gainesville, Damon went into cardiac arrest twice more. The paramedics called ahead to alert the hospital’s interventional cardiology team. There would be no time to waste to save his life.
Nima Ghasemzadeh, MD, an interventional cardiologist with Georgia Heart Institute, and his team were ready when Damon arrived in Gainesville.
Although cardiac catheterization showed that Damon had blockages in the arteries of his heart, Dr. Ghasemzadeh made a judgment call to hold off on doing a procedure to open them up. He wanted to be sure Damon didn’t have any significant brain injury because of his cardiac arrest. Instead, he performed a procedure to insert a device into Damon’s heart to help it pump blood through the narrowed arteries, which bought some time for the medical staff to assess Damon’s neurological recovery.
“I think we made the right call,” said Dr. Ghasemzadeh. “We decided to bring him back to the cath lab and treat him when he was more stable.”
Then, three days later, “to our surprise,” said Dr. Ghasemzadeh, “he woke up.”
Damon was brought back to the cath lab and received two stents in the left anterior descending artery at the front of his heart and two more in the right coronary artery.
Finally, on January 14, a week and two days after he went into cardiac arrest, Damon went home.
“Everything had to go right for him,” said Kody Savage, regional STEMI coordinator for Northeast Georgia Health System. “If he had not had prompt CPR, his chance of survival would have been less than 5%.”
Damon counts his blessings and credits the care he received at NGMC Gainesville for giving him a new lease on life. The hospital is a Level 1 Emergency Cardiac Care Center, one of the first in the state to receive that accreditation.
“If you are unlucky enough to have a cardiac event, you want to go to Gainesville," he says. "That's it. Dr. Ghasemzadeh is absolutely fantastic. I’m glad I ended up where I ended up.”
As he recovered, Damon leaned on his wife, Sheryl. They have been married for 32 years.
“When I first got out, I was a little dizzy, couldn’t drive, so my wife took 12 weeks off from her job to help me," he says. "She was kind of my chauffeur, pill pusher, all that good stuff — my rock, basically.”
Damon participated in cardiac rehab during his recovery, and he continued working out. He got a membership at a 24-hour gym where he walks and lifts weights at least six days a week. He has also adopted a more heart-healthy diet, and he has plenty of energy to tend his leafy yard in Winder.
“I’m stronger than I’ve been in years, more energy, don’t feel like I need to take daytime naps anymore” says Damon. “I figured I was just getting old. These folks have given me a quality of life back that I didn’t even realize I was missing.”
To learn more about heart care at NGHS, go to georgiaheartinstitute.org
Anne Tarver, an active great-grandmother and retired registered nurse, was enjoying her weekend family trip to Chattanooga in September 2024 when suddenly her leg started hurting. The pain continued to persist when she returned home, so she went to her doctor that Monday morning.
“My doctor suspected that I was experiencing sciatica and recommended that I try physical therapy,” said Anne. “I went to 13 sessions of physical therapy, and nothing was helping. The pain was so unbearable that I could barely walk, and it was hard to get comfortable at night to sleep. I was practically housebound and was miserable.”
Anne’s physical therapist recommended she make an appointment at the Northeast Georgia Physicians Group (NGPG) Interventional Pain Medicine office near her home in Dawsonville.
“I met with Dr. Rowan, who was so kind and attentive,” said Anne. “He told me that he thought I would need surgery but wanted to try injections first to see if they would help ease my pain. In the meantime, he already scheduled an appointment for me with NGPG Neurosurgery. I was so happy to be in competent hands and to have a plan moving forward for the first time.”
Anne’s injections worked for a couple of weeks, but her pain returned.
“At my Neurosurgery appointment, I met with Wesem Dakar, a physician’s assistant,” said Anne. “Wesem was wonderful and confident. He ordered more X-rays and a bone density test. My husband and I left the appointment and could not stop talking about how impressed we were with him. We were relieved to have an expert on our side and decided to move forward with having surgery with Dr. Boghani."
“Anne was experiencing pain in her leg due to compression of a nerve in her back,” said Zain Boghani, MD, neurosurgeon with NGPG Neurosurgery. “The cause of the compression was a herniated disc. She had exhausted all conservative measures and therefore surgery was indicated.”
Anne’s surgery was on February 12 at Northeast Georgia Medical Center (NGMC) Gainesville, and she spent one night in the hospital.
“Anne was the perfect candidate for a minimally invasive discectomy,” said Dr. Boghani. “Using an inch-long incision, I was able to create a window in her spine. I then used a microscope to visualize the nerve, mobilize it and remove the part of the disc which had herniated out and was causing the compression. This procedure is highly successful and can provide immediate relief of pain.”
“I had the best experience at NGMC,” said Anne. “The staff was amazing. I did everything they told me to do after the surgery, and my recovery was exceptional. I had no pain at all.”
Now, Anne is happy to be back spending time with her family – including her son, two granddaughters and five great-grandchildren – just like she used to.
“Before my surgery, I wanted so badly to be able to drive, go to church and walk around my home without pain,” said Anne. “Now, I can play with my great-grandchildren again. I can sit at my desk and paint with watercolors again – which is my favorite thing to do. Dr. Boghani gave me my life back. I cannot thank the entire NGPG staff enough and will continue to sing their praises for as long as I can.”
Are you experiencing back or neck pain?
Learn more about our comprehensive services at nghs.com/spine
& investing improving
As northeast Georgia continues to grow, with several of its counties ranking among the fastest-growing in the state, Northeast Georgia Health System (NGHS) is keeping pace – especially in Barrow County. From renovating the emergency department’s waiting area at Northeast Georgia Medical Center (NGMC) Barrow, to building a new medical plaza in Bethlehem offering eight different specialties, to already planning for future growth, NGHS is advancing care to meet the needs of the surrounding area.
ONE-YEAR CELEBRATION AT MEDICAL PLAZA 1
More than 1,000 community members came out earlier this fall to celebrate the one-year anniversary of the opening of Medical Plaza 1 in Bethlehem with free health screenings, live music, food trucks, games, and special activities for kids like a teddy bear clinic and touch-a-truck.
The building is located just off Highway 316, at 990 Loganville Highway. It’s the new home of NGPG Family Health Associates – a well-established primary care office that moved from its longtime home in downtown Winder.
“We had such a fun time meeting our community and spending the day celebrating everything we have in Bethlehem,” said Garey “BJ” Huff, Jr., MD, a longtime physician with NGPG Family Health Associates. “We loved getting to take care of all the teddy bears kids brought to us. We went through plenty of Band-Aids and even stitched up a few that needed a little extra love.”
Medical Plaza 1 is also home to Georgia Heart Institute’s cardiology services and several Northeast Georgia Physicians Group (NGPG) practices providing orthopedic surgery and sports medicine, OB/GYN care, general surgery and behavioral health services.
Medical Plaza 1 also includes a new Urgent Care center, open every day from 8 a.m. to 7:45 p.m., as well as an Orthopedic Walk-In clinic.
RENOVATIONS AND UPDATES
The health system has also continually reinvested in the community’s local hospital, NGMC Barrow, since it joined NGHS in 2017. The most recent update is a newly-renovated waiting area for the emergency department that includes more seats, improved triage areas and enhanced security – all designed to minimize wait times.
“This renovation brings our emergency department’s space up to match the high level of care our team provides by ensuring increased comfort, privacy, efficiency and safety,” said John Neidenbach, hospital administrator for NGMC Barrow. “We have worked to steadily improve our facilities and processes, which has paid off for the community in a big way.”
NGMC Barrow’s emergency department has also earned the prestigious Lantern Award for excellence in emergency care from the national Emergency Nurses Association and is accredited for pain and addiction care by the American College of Emergency Physicians. The hospital is also a Level III Pediatric Readiness Center, which state surveyors define as being capable to evaluate and stabilize critically ill children and provide rapid transfer to a higher level of care if needed.
NGMC Barrow is also renovating its surgical areas to expand recovery space as surgery volume grows, updating its six-bed intermediate care unit to improve the patient experience, adding local artwork and making other cosmetic touch-ups.
PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE
In addition to those improvements, NGHS is also looking to the future. The system recently received approval from the state to build an ambulatory surgery center (ASC) in Barrow County near Medical Plaza 1.
An ASC is a modern healthcare facility focused on providing sameday surgical care, including diagnostic and preventive procedures. Having surgery at an ASC is often more convenient than surgery in a hospital, since the process is designed to get you in and out in the same day. NGHS already has one ASC in Braselton – called the Braselton Surgery Center – and has seen success in the care provided there.
“We don’t have a timeline yet to open the ASC, since the project is working its way through the state’s Certificate of Need process, but planning is already underway,” said Kevin Matson, vice president of regional hospitals, southern market, for NGHS. “Our goal is always to expand access to high-quality care, close to home, and that’s exactly what the ASC will do for people in Barrow, Oconee, Walton and the surrounding counties.”
Learn more about our Orthopedic Walk-in Clinic at ngpg.org/orthopedics/walk-in-clinic
Learn more about Medical Plaza 1 in Bethlehem: nghs.com/locations/medical-plaza-bethlehem
Check emergency department wait times: nghs.com/emergency-unplanned-care
ROOFTOP PLAYGROUND GETS REVIVAL
For more than a decade, the rooftop pediatric playground brought joy to countless families at Northeast Georgia Medical Center (NGMC) Gainesville. Built in 2007 with generous funding from the Jim, Greg & Steve Syfan Family Foundation, the playground provided a break for young patients and their families during a hospital visit.
"It’s amazing what being out in the sunshine and fresh air will do for a sick kid," said Gentry Hunt, MSN, director of Pediatric Services at NGMC. "For our patients, being stuck in bed is almost as bad as being sick. Having the rooftop playground so close – just off our inpatient pediatric unit – allowed them some freedom and fun."
When the playground closed in 2019 due to age and safety concerns, families and staff felt the loss.
For six years, the space sat empty. What was once colorful and inviting became nothing more than a blank rooftop. Until Norfolk Southern took notice.
"When we approached Northeast Georgia Health System (NGHS) about their priorities and needs, we knew reviving the outdoor play area would be the most meaningful," said Mark George, president and CEO of Norfolk Southern. "As long as our trains run through Gainesville, we will invest in what’s important to that community."
Along with Norfolk Southern’s commitment of $300,000, Syfan Logistics has renewed its support to continue the legacy they started in 2007.
"We're honored to continue supporting children's health in our community," said Greg Syfan, president of Syfan Logistics. "This time, we're building something even better—a playground where every child can play together, regardless of their abilities."
The new playground will feature inclusive design with accessible equipment and sensory-friendly elements to ensure children of all abilities can play safely together.
In addition to Norfolk Southern and Syfan Logistics, Carroll Daniel Construction has committed to supporting the development of this new playground.
"The goal is to create a space where every child who enters can find joy, connection, and hope," said Chris Bray, NGHS Foundation president and chief philanthropy officer for NGHS. "We’re thankful for the partners who are driving this project forward. It reflects the best of community collaboration."
“It will be so exciting once the playground is complete,” said Gentry. “I can’t wait to hear the laughter of little voices again.”
To donate to the NGHS Foundation and help raise funds for this rebuild project, please visit nghs.com/give.
Robotic Surgery:
Expanding What’s Possible
More people in Georgia now have access to the newest and most advanced robotic surgical technology, as Northeast Georgia Health System (NGHS) has expanded its robotic surgery capabilities with the addition of the newest technology — the da Vinci 5 (dV5) surgical system.
“Robotic surgery provides patients with tremendous benefits through smaller incisions and less blood loss, which often leads to a shorter hospital stay, faster recovery and smaller scars,” said Parker Long, DO, medical director of Robotic Surgery at Northeast Georgia Medical Center (NGMC) and an OB/GYN with Northeast Georgia Physicians Group (NGPG). “It takes a tremendous amount of teamwork across all clinical staff, physicians and leadership to support our world-class program.”
NGMC Gainesville was the first hospital in Georgia to acquire and operate with the new dV5 surgical system in the summer of 2024. In May of 2025, NGMC Gainesville acquired four additional dV5s — and is now one of only two hospitals in the world to have five or more dV5 robotic systems. NGMC acquired its first da Vinci surgical system in 2008 and has since expanded to 11 robotic surgical systems across three hospital campuses in Braselton, Gainesville and Lumpkin.
As with all da Vinci surgical systems, the surgeon is 100% in control of the dV5 robotic-assisted system, which translates their hand movements into smaller, more precise movements of tiny instruments inside
the patient’s body. This means greater precision and less complications for patients, and robotic surgery often also leads to smaller scars and faster recovery.
“We’re proud to offer state-of-the-art technologies and high-quality care to more patients than ever before,” said Ron Lewis, MD, medical director of perioperative services at NGHS and robotic hernia surgeon with NGPG.
More than 50 surgeons perform robotic procedures across several surgical specialties including bariatric weight loss, heart & vascular, colorectal, gynecological, gynecological oncology, orthopedic, thoracic, urological and general surgery.
“Being a Center of Excellence means that we are held to a higher standard and have an even greater focus on improving quality, safety and outcomes for our patients,” said Dr. Lewis. “We are proud to have a nationally recognized program and are honored to use robotics to help more patients than ever before.”
Watch to learn more about the first robotic surgery in Lumpkin: nghs.com/lumpkin-surgery
Read more about robotic surgery at nghs.com/robotic
DO YOU KNOW WHERE TO GO?
URGENT CARE
bronchitis colds earaches flu pink eye minor back pain
URGENT CARE IS BEST FOR MINOR PROBLEMS THAT ARE NOT LIFE-THREATENING BUT STILL NEED QUICK TREATMENT LIKE:
minor abscesses minor broken bones minor cuts and burns minor eye injuries minor muscular pain poison ivy seasonal allergies sinus infections sore throat sprains urinary tract infections
NGHS has 11 Urgent Care locations across the Northeast Georgia region.
Get Care at Home — You can also schedule an on-demand video visit seven days a week, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., using your phone, tablet or computer. It is a fast, easy way to get care for things like cold or flu symptoms, skin conditions and minor injuries.
Visit ngpg.org/on-demand to start a video visit.
WHETHER YOU NEED FAST CARE FOR A SORE THROAT, HELP IN A SERIOUS EMERGENCY, OR PEACE OF MIND FOR YOUR CHILD, NGHS IS HERE FOR YOU.
WHEN YOU OR SOMEONE IN YOUR FAMILY IS SICK OR HURT, KNOWING WHERE TO GO CAN SAVE TIME. NORTHEAST GEORGIA HEALTH SYSTEM (NGHS) OFFERS MANY WAYS TO GET CARE.
EMERGENCY ROOM
any condition you believe is life-threatening chest pain or pressure coughing or vomiting blood deep cuts or bleeding that won’t stop
difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
high fevers new discomfort that is caused by exercise numbness in the face, arm or leg seizures
GO TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM OR CALL 9-1-1 IF YOU ARE HAVING:
severe abdominal pain severe burns
sudden blurred vision sudden dizziness, weakness or loss of coordination or balance
sudden, severe headache (not a migraine)
All five Northeast Georgia Medical Center campuses have 24/7 Emergency Departments equipped to treat all types of emergencies.
NGMC Gainesville, Braselton and Barrow were recently certified as Pediatric Readiness Centers. This means their emergency teams are specially trained and equipped to care for children of all ages.
DID YOU KNOW?
YOU CAN NOW CHECK REAL-TIME WAIT TIMES FOR BOTH URGENT CARE AND EMERGENCY ROOMS ON OUR WEBSITE. JUST VISIT NGHS.COM AND CLICK “EMERGENCY WAIT TIMES” OR “URGENT CARE WAIT TIMES” AT THE TOP OF THE PAGE.
NGMC COMMUNITY BENEFIT REPORT
IMPROVING THE HEALTH OF OUR COMMUNITY IN ALL WE DO. NGMC values cooperative efforts with community organizations and other healthcare providers to improve the health status of area residents. As a not-for-profit community hospital, all revenue generated above operating expenses is returned to the community through improved services and innovative programs. Here are some highlights of community benefit activities provided by NGMC between October 1, 2023, and September 30, 2024:
To view NGMC’s complete Community Benefit Impact Report, visit nghs.com/community-benefit-resources.
COMMUNITY BENEFIT PROVIDED IN FY24 AT NGMC HOSPITALS IS ESTIMATED AT $168 MILLION
$67.7 million in financial assistance for low-income patients
$36.8 million in losses incurred from Medicaid
$213.7 million in bad debt
OVER $232K LOSS INCURRED FROM OTHER GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS THAT SUBSIDIZE LOW-INCOME PATIENTS
$63.7 million for other community benefits, including health professions education and partnership with charitable clinics and other non-profits in the communities we serve
OVER $35 MILLION IN COMMUNITY BENEFIT PROGRAMS AND OUTREACH PROVIDED BY NGMC (INCLUDES NGMC GAINESVILLE, BRASELTON, BARROW, LUMPKIN AND HABERSHAM), INCLUDING:
$24 million in workforce development
over $1 million in cash and in-kind contributions to nearly 99 partner organizations
$7.8 billion in economic impact, the ripple effect the hospital’s spending has on other sectors of the local and state economies
23,000 employees
Source: Georgia Hospital Association 2023 calculations
In FY24, NGMC offered patients the opportunity to participate in 45 clinical trials involving some of the most promising, breakthrough new medical therapies. Over 450 patients were enrolled in trials that provided patients with access to cutting edge treatments for cancer and heart disease. For more information, visit nghs.com/research.
In FY24, more than 691 Auxiliary volunteers provided over 57,600 hours of service throughout the health system, which equates to 34 FTEs and a value of $1.9 million to enhance the quality of services provided by NGHS. This level of community service is an indicator of the strong community relationships that are maintained throughout the region.
NGMC Barrow has donated $250,000 towards the Building Our Futures Project in Barrow County. The Building Our Futures Project is a public-private partnership between the Barrow Community Foundation, Barrow County Schools, local businesses and community members to develop an 8-acre park and playground centrally located near the Center for Innovative Teaching (CFIT) in Winder. In FY24, representatives from NGHS celebrated the grand opening of the community park, which provides spaces for recreation and education and the playground features unique play pieces as well as ADA-accessible features. Former NGHS President and CEO, Carol Burrell, a native of Barrow County, served as Campaign Leader Council Co-Chair.
MENTAL AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH
NGHS is an active partner of the One Hall Mental and Behavioral Health Subcommittee, now referred to as the Health Subcommittee because “mental health is health.” NGHS employees Monica Newton, DO, and Adam Raulerson of Laurelwood co-chaired the committee. With activities around Access, Collaboration and Education, this collaborative enjoys active involvement from over 30 agencies and hundreds of individuals at its monthly meetings. FY24 accomplishments of the collaborative can be found here: unitedwayhallcounty.org/reachout/reports.
NGHS partnered with the United Way of Hall County in the “Hall Goes Green” challenge in recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month. NGMC hospital exteriors were lit in green, representing hope, strength and support for those living with mental health concerns and NGHS employees wore green on May 16, Mental Health Action Day, to show support. Nearly 40 businesses and organizations in Hall County participated in the challenge in 2024.
The One Hall Mental and Behavioral Health committee also coordinated a Mental Health Action Day walk in Gainesville. Over 75 people participated by wearing green and walking down Green Street to raise awareness of the importance of mental health.
In FY24, over 100 healthcare professionals were Mental Health First Aid certified through a partnership between NGHS and the University of North Georgia. Through this training, Mental Health First Aiders learn how to identify, understand and respond to mental health and substance use disorders. United Way of Hall County also offers the training and since 2021, over 1,101 community members have become Mental Health First Aiders.
In September 2024, counselors and specialists from Laurelwood, Hospice and the Employee Assistance Program provided support for students, parents and staff affected by the school shooting at Apalachee High School in Barrow.
FIRST COHORT GRADUATES FROM ACCELERATED BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN NURSING PROGRAM
Since January 2023, NGHS and UNG have partnered to create the Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program to add 280 nurses to the workforce over the next five years. The 15-month program is for students who already have a bachelor’s or master’s degree in another field and want to transition into a career in nursing. In FY24, 15 students graduated as part of the first ABSN track cohort from UNG.
FOOTHILLS AHEC CELEBRATED 10 YEARS OF ITS PATHWAY TO MED SCHOOL PROGRAM
NGHS continued its work to address the shortage of primary care providers across the state, as eight college students graduated this year from the Pathway to Med School program—a program organized by the Foothills Area Health Education Center (AHEC), an affiliate of NGHS. In its 10th year of training future medical professionals, the Pathway to Med School program is a four-week, residential program for undergraduate, pre-medical students who attend Georgia colleges and intend on staying in the state to practice primary care.
80% students have completed the Pathway to Med School program with a 98% medical school acceptance rate.
YOUTH-MED PHYSICIAN MENTORSHIP PROGRAM
FY24 was the inaugural year for the YOUTH-MED physician mentorship program, which stands for Youth Opportunities for Unparalleled Training in Healthcare, Medicine, Education and Development. It is a collaborative effort between Northeast Georgia Health System and community partner Help for Healthcare Professionals, Inc. (HHCP). This program spans 5 weeks and is designed to advance equity and inspire youth to pursue a myriad of healthcare careers. In FY24, 65 NGHS physicians, residents and fellows provided over 750 hours of mentorship to 22 students.
EDUCATION LEADER IN THE REGION
NGMC hosted the following for over 2,100 health professionals throughout the region:
Georgia Heart & Vascular Symposium
Infection Prevention Symposium
Neuroscience Rehab Symposium
NGPG Sports Medicine Symposium
Regional Trauma Advisory Committee and Symposium
GME RESIDENTS LAUNCH WALK WITH A DOC PROGRAM
In FY24, Family Medicine residents started “Walk with a Doc,” the local version of a national program that offers free walking programs to give community members the opportunity to speak with local physicians about health topics while getting steps in. Seven programs have attracted 38 walkers in the inaugural year.
SAFE KIDS NORTHEAST GEORGIA
NGMC serves as lead agency for Safe Kids Northeast Georgia, reducing unintentional injuries and deaths in children 19 and under. In FY24, Safe Kids provided programs and educational events with outreach to an estimated 6,689 children and family members, teachers and caregivers in the Gainesville, Braselton, Barrow County and Lumpkin County communities. Through these programs, safety items, such as car seats and helmets, were distributed to families in need.
COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS
NGMC supported the Hispanic Alliance’s Latino Fest held in Gainesville. NGHS Chief of Population Health Dr. Antonio Rios, NGMC GME residents and staff provided health education information to the community. Proceeds from Latino Fest go towards the “Fund the Dream” scholarship, which is awarded to first-generation, low-income minority students.
PARTNERSHIPS WITH INDIGENT CLINICS THROUGHOUT THE REGION
NGMC partnered with indigent clinics throughout the region such as Good Shepherd Clinic in Dawsonville, Community Helping Place in Dahlonega, Grace Gate Clinic in Demorest, Open Arms Clinic in Toccoa and Good News Clinics in Gainesville, the largest free medical clinic in Georgia. Over the past three years, NGMC has contributed $1 million to the Greater Things Expansion campaign to fund the health education center at Good News Clinics.
The NGPG Primary Care Clinic, now named NGPG Community Clinic, celebrated its opening in the 8,000-square-foot medical office building adjacent to the Hall County Health Department on the Butler Campus in Gainesville. The clinic offers primary care, family medicine, medication assistance, diabetes education and behavioral health and social work services at reduced costs based on what each patient can afford.
In 2024, NGMC Gainesville. Braselton, Barrow and Lumpkin received an “A” grade for social responsibility in the Lown Institute Hospitals Index. The Lown Institute, an independent healthcare think tank, graded over 3,500 hospitals and 300 health systems nationwide based on data up to 2022. The report evaluated hospitals’ health equity and value of care, alongside patient outcomes and measured over 50 metrics, including community benefit and racial inclusivity, to come up with social responsibility rankings.
DISCRIMINATION IS AGAINST THE LAW
Northeast Georgia Health System, Inc. (NGHS) complies with applicable State and Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of any legally protected class or characteristic, including race, color, national origin, religion, age, disability, or sex.
NGHS:
• Provides free auxiliary 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 Medical Interpreter Department Telephone Number: 770-219-1689
If you believe that NGHS has failed to provide these services or discriminated in another way on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, age, disability, or sex, you can file a grievance with:
Fax: 770-219-1895, or Email: civilrightscoordinator@nghs.com.
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: 1-800-368-1019
TDD: 1-800-537-7697
Complaint forms are available at: http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/office/file/index.html
INTERPRETERS AVAILABLE
You have access to interpretation services 24/7 at no personal cost to you. This chart includes languages commonly spoken in your community, additional languages are available.
English: Do you speak [language]? We will provide an interpreter at no personal cost to you.
