7 minute read
Growing the Greater Good NGHS Building Initiatives
Northeast Georgia Health System’s (NGHS) mission of improving the health of the community inspires a tireless commitment to innovate and grow, as the healthcare needs of the region expand. Soon, that will include building several new facilities throughout the region, all of which will improve access to high-quality care and advanced technology — while also expanding the number of services and specialties offered.
Early renderings of NGMC Gainesville’s future Patient Tower, may not match final structure or appearance.
NGMC GAINESVILLE
One of the largest and most impactful Growing the Greater Good projects is a new, multi-story patient tower, which is to be built next to the current North Patient Tower. This new tower is projected to open in late 2024 and will include a series of notable improvements throughout the Northeast Georgia Medical Center (NGMC) Gainesville campus – all so patients can get the care they need close to home and more quickly than ever before.
The relocation of the Emergency Department (ED) – one of the busiest in the state – to the new tower will help streamline treatment and allow patients to be seen as quickly as possible.
“When it comes to providing life-saving care in an emergency situation, it’s crucial to be as efficient as possible,” says Mohak Davé, MD, NGMC chief of Emergency Medicine.
The renowned Heart & Vascular Services of NGHS will also be moving to the new tower, expanding and improving access to the complete spectrum of cardiology services. Read more about exciting new advancements in heart and vascular care at NGMC on pages 5-10.
The new patient tower will pave the way for other exciting changes including:
• The addition of nearly 150 new patient beds will ensure more critical patients are closer to the new ED, operating rooms, imaging and other support services.
• New operating rooms and interventional suites will increase the number and type of surgeries that can be performed, including complex stroke, neurosurgery, cancer and vascular cases.
• The addition of a new helipad on the roof of the tower will provide faster access to life-saving trauma, heart, stroke and surgical care.
• The addition of more patient rooms will create an opportunity for future renovation of the South Tower. As progress with the new patient tower continues, patients throughout the area don’t have to wait until 2024 to benefit from expansion and innovation at NGMC. In fact, there are several new developments you may have missed.
A new Neurointerventional Lab opened in November 2020, making it possible for NGMC to provide critical stroke interventions that were previously only available at hospitals in Atlanta. In fact, Sung Lee, MD, Northeast Georgia Physicians Group (NGPG) neurointerventional surgeon, is the only physician in Northeast Georgia that performs mechanical thrombectomies. Read more about how the new neurointerventional lab saves lives on pages 23 -24.
NGMC Gainesville also opened a new endovascular operating room (EVOR) for the minimally-invasive treatment of complex diseases in the arteries, veins and lymph nodes. With highlyspecialized technology in the EVOR, NGHS’ vascular surgeons will be able to care for the most complex and advanced vascular conditions more quickly and effectively.
Mohak Davé, MD, NGMC chief of Emergency Medicine
To learn more about comprehensive vascular care at NGMC and the new endovascular operating room, visit nghs.com/vascular-surgery.
A look inside the state-of-the-art endovascular operating room (EVOR) at NGMC Gainesville.
NGMC BRASELTON
NGMC Braselton opened its doors just six short years ago and hasn’t stopped growing since. Surrounded by a flourishing community filled with young families, active retirees and new businesses, there’s no shortage of growing healthcare needs – and NGMC Braselton plans to answer the call for expanded care.
One of the key Growing the Greater Good projects for NGMC Braselton will be the expansion of the Emergency Department (ED). Currently located on the first floor of the hospital, the new additions will include new treatment rooms and larger waiting areas. As a part of this ED expansion, a new 12-bed Emergency Observation Unit has already opened on the fourth floor. Together, these new projects will more than double the size of the current ED. Plus, the additional space will allow for the laboratory and pharmacy to be relocated and expanded.
NGMC and Longstreet Clinic are also making progress on the expansion of the Cancer Center in Braselton, which is expected to open later this year. The new Cancer Center will house Longstreet Clinic’s medical oncology practice and radiation oncology services in the same space – making it easier for patients who need both treatments and allowing for better care coordination and collaboration between cancer providers. It will also include a dedicated entrance, a larger waiting and reception area and increased visibility from the road.
The NGMC Braselton campus also plans to welcome a second multispecialty office building, Medical Plaza 2, in the near future. The building is planned to house a new ambulatory surgery center – complete with four operating rooms, two procedure rooms and prep/recovery areas – as well as additional physician offices. Development is pending ongoing review by the Georgia Department of Community Health.
“Even from the very beginning, NGMC Braselton exceeded patient volumes because there was such a high demand for exceptional, community-based healthcare,” says Anthony Williamson, president of NGMC Braselton. “Throughout the last several years, we have built a strong relationship with this community, so as their needs continue to evolve and grow, we will expand to provide the expert care residents count on – and more.”
NGMC LUMPKIN
After stepping in to ensure that residents of Lumpkin County would not be without a local healthcare provider, NGHS has been hard at work determining this hospital’s physical future in the county.
NGMC Lumpkin first opened in July 2019 – after renovations to the former Chestatee Regional Hospital in Dahlonega were complete – with plans for a brand-new facility long in the making. Despite the building delays that resulted from the COVID-19 pandemic, plans for the future NGMC Lumpkin haven’t changed, and NGHS is moving forward with design development and supporting timelines.
“While COVID-19 has shifted our initial timeline for the new NGMC Lumpkin facility, that hasn’t stopped us from adapting and continuing to make progress,” says Chad Hatfield, vice president of Regional Hospitals. “We’ve taken important steps, like extending the lease of the current NGMC Lumpkin to ensure there’s no lapse in care as the new facility is under construction, along with actively recruiting specialists to serve patients — all to ensure we’re in the best position possible to care for this community.”
The future NGMC Lumpkin campus will be built on 57 acres near the intersection of Highway 60 and Georgia 400. It’s planned to offer a comprehensive range of services including a fully equipped Emergency Department and a variety of outpatient services like testing and diagnostics, imaging, surgery and procedure suites. Specialty care will likely be provided though a mix of on-site providers and video consultations from experts at other hospital campuses, as an emphasis will be placed on integrating technology into patient care. Plus, the initial construction will allow plenty of room for future growth.
GROWTH THROUGHOUT THE REGION
Meeting patients where they are – in their very own communities – is also an important part of Growing the Greater Good. NGMC has already broken ground on a new Medical Plaza in Buford, which will be home to Urgent Care, The Heart Center of NGMC and NGPG practices for family medicine, OB/GYN, urology, sports medicine, orthopedic surgery and general surgery — in addition to imaging and lab services. This new building will offer ample space, the latest technology and a spa-like environment, all close to home for the Buford community.
NGMC is also expanding it’s presence in Jackson County with a new Medical Plaza in Jefferson - slated to open in summer 2022. This new building, located at the intersection of US Highway 129 and GA Highway 11, will offer convenient access to Urgent Care, The Heart Center of NGMC and imaging services, along with NGPG practices for family medicine and other specialties.
With several Growing the Greater Good projects on the horizon for NGHS, the coming years are sure to be filled with exciting new advancements and improvements. These projects are yet another example of how NGHS is striving to improve the health of the community in all we do.
“I hope everyone in the community can sense our enthusiasm and excitement for all of our Growing the Greater Good projects and will join us on this journey,” says Carol Burrell, NGHS President & CEO. “After all, it’s together that we can make the greatest impact, and we couldn’t do it without the support of those we serve.”
To see the latest plans for growth at NGHS, visit nghs.com/growing.
