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Archive for February 2019
ICYMI: CMN CEO visits Phoebe
(Courtesy of Phoebe Putney Health System)
Press Release courtesy of Phoebe Putney Health System
Albany, Ga. – The President & CEO of Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) Hospitals visited the CMN hospital in southwest Georgia for the first time Tuesday. John Lauck has served as CMN’s top executive since 2011. CMN Hospitals has raised record-breaking funds each year under his direction. Lauck toured Phoebe’s neonatal intensive care, pediatrics, and labor & delivery units. He also met with hospital leaders and frontline staff and saw technology and equipment purchased with CMN Hospitals donor dollars.
“This is an amazing facility, and the people of southwest Georgia are lucky to be able to depend on Phoebe to offer tremendous care to the children of the region. It’s also clear to me the people at Phoebe are the health system’s strongest asset. There are some incredibly talented people who are part of this hospital, and it’s great to see the support they get from this community,” Lauck said.
Since it was founded in 1983, CMN Hospitals has raised more than $5 billion dollars to support the care of children in not-for-profit hospitals and to save and improve the lives of as many children as possible. “Many people don’t realize insurance doesn’t pay for everything. There is a huge need to make sure every sick or injured child gets the care they need. It is rewarding for me to visit our CMN hospitals and see how the generosity of local donors is paying off,” Lauck said.
Phoebe is one of 170 CMN hospitals throughout North America. Since partnering with CMN in 1997, Phoebe has raised more than $5 million through CMN to help care for its youngest patients. “What’s great about the CMN model is that all the money raised in our region stays right here in southwest Georgia to support our patients. When folks in our area give to CMN, we want them to know they are helping their friends, neighbors or maybe even a member of their own family who could need care in our NICU, pediatrics unit or emergency room,” said Becca Miller, Phoebe CMN Coordinator.
While visiting Albany, Lauck also spent time with area families who have benefited from CMN donations through healthcare at Phoebe. During a gathering at Merry Acres Event Center Tuesday afternoon, Lauck thanked CMN partners for their fundraising over the last year and helped kick off their upcoming efforts. Partners in attendance who support families served by Phoebe through their contributions to CMN included representatives from southwest Georgia Walmart stores, Remax of Albany, Publix and Georgia Drug Card.
During the upcoming May is for Miracles campaign, donors will have the opportunity to purchase miracle balloons for $1 each at locations throughout southwest Georgia. You can donate anytime to CMN Hospitals at www.supportphoebe.org.
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ICYMI: SOWEGA Flu Cases On The Rise
File Photo: Front entrance to Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital
(Courtesy of Walter L. Johnson II)
Press Release courtesy of Phoebe Putney Health System
Albany, Ga. – More people in southwest Georgia are contracting the flu. During the week ending Feb. 10, the lab at Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital confirmed 38 flu cases, by far the highest weekly total so far this flu season. In fact, the number of positive tests over the last three weeks exceeds the combined total of the previous 17 weeks of the 2018-2019 flu season.
“It is not uncommon to see an increase in flu activity in February. While flu season can extend well into spring, it often peaks in February. It is especially important right now for southwest Georgians to try to minimize the spread of the illness by practicing proper hand hygiene, coughing and sneezing into their elbows, seeking treatment at the onset of flu symptoms and avoiding contact with others as much as possible until they are free of fever for at least 24 hours,” said Steven Kitchen, MD, Phoebe Chief Medical Officer.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), flu activity remains high in Georgia, and cases are increasing throughout our region. “We have already confirmed 80 flu cases at Phoebe Sumter in February, compared to 60 during the entire month of January,” said Brandi Lunneborg, Phoebe Sumter CEO. “We want people to know it’s not too late to get a flu shot to protect themselves and their families, and the vaccine remains the best prevention method.”
So far, this flu season has not been as severe as last season. Last year, flu cases in Georgia spiked throughout the month of January before peaking in early February. “It’s too early to predict when this flu season will peak. We simply want people to be aware that flu activity has increased significantly in the last few weeks, and we encourage them to do all they can to avoid the illness,” said Dr. Kitchen.
Flu season visitation restrictions remain in effect at all Phoebe hospitals. Children under age 18 should not visit the hospital, and patient visitors should be limited to those assisting with the care of the patient. Learn more about Phoebe’s visitation policy and ways to prevent the flu at www.phoebeflu.com.
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ICYMI: Albany hosts Georgia Quail Hunt
Press Release courtesy of the Albany-Dougherty Economic Development Commission
Albany, Ga.– This week, the Georgia Chamber of Commerce hosted its 31st annual Georgia Quail Hunt in Albany as 22 business leaders representing state recruitment and expansion prospects joined economic development officials to learn about the benefits of doing business in Georgia.
The hunt, sponsored by the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, the Georgia Allies, the Albany-Dougherty Economic Development Commission and Locate South Georgia, provides an opportunity for relationship development among statewide leaders and guests whose companies or clients are looking to move to or expand in Georgia.
Newly-elected Georgia Governor Brian Kemp was on hand for the event in his first appearance at the hunt.
The recruitment event utilizes various hunting preserves throughout Southwest Georgia and is based out of Albany.
“In Albany-Dougherty County, we believe collaboration is key. The Georgia Quail Hunt, hosted in Albany for more than 30 years, is a testament to that principle as an incredible collaboration between local, regional, state and corporate partners,” said Justin Strickland, president of the Albany-Dougherty Economic Development Commission. “Having the opportunity to host this broad range of partners in Albany each year gives us the chance, not only to connect and network with one another, but to show off our skilled work force, infrastructure, low costs of doing business and other assets that make this an attractive location for industry locations and expansions.”
Such collaboration is largely to credit for Georgia’s consistent recognition by industry experts as the nation’s top state for business.
“This event allows our guests to learn firsthand about the assets we have to offer in Georgia and the practices that have lead us to be known as the No.1 state for business,” said 2019 Georgia Quail Hunt Chairman Daryl Ingram, chief external officer and senior vice president of Electric Cities of Georgia. “Georgia has the infrastructure in place to meet and exceed the needs of a company at any stage in its growth. The Georgia Quail Hunt provides us an opportunity to leverage our capabilities for the economic advancement of our state at all levels.”
Event organizers say the hunt has been successful in recruiting businesses to Georgia.
“We are honored to continue the annual Georgia Quail Hunt. For over three decades, this event has created thousands of jobs and tens of billions in investment in Georgia’s economy,”said Chris Clark, president and CEO of the Georgia Chamber. “Our focus is to offer more opportunities to showcase the incredible quality of life and impressive talent pool of Albany and Southwest Georgia to businesses all over the world.”
In addition to the Georgia Allies, the Albany-Dougherty Economic Development Commission and Locate South Georgia, corporate sponsors include Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia, MillerCoors, PowerSports Plus, Glock,Trulock Choke Tubes and Taurus Holdings.
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About the Georgia Chamber of Commerce
The Georgia Chamber of Commerce is the state’s largest business advocacy organization that focuses on state and federal issues. The Chamber has worked to keep, grow and create jobs to make Georgia a better state for business. The advocacy, policy and thought leadership help ensure Georgia’s economic competitiveness, attract new investments as well as promote growth and prosperity for all businesses.
About the Albany-Dougherty Economic Development Commission
The Albany-Dougherty Economic Development Commission is a public-private partnership whose mission is to foster new investment and job creation through the recruitment, retention
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ICYMI: Phoebe seeks state trauma center designation
(Courtesy of Walter L. Johnson II)
Press Release courtesy of Phoebe Putney Health System
Albany, Ga. – The Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital Board of Directors voted Wednesday to pursue Level II trauma center designation from the Georgia Office of Emergency Medical Services/Trauma (OEMS/T). The vote comes as Phoebe is planning a capital project to build a new helipad adjacent to the current main hospital emergency department, an important step toward creating a trauma center.
“Currently, we have the equipment, training and staff to properly handle many trauma cases. This vote, however, shows our commitment to expanding our capabilities to provide lifesaving emergency care to the vast majority of patients who suffer traumatic injuries in our area,” said James E. Black, MD, Phoebe Medical Director of Emergency Medical Services.
Phoebe is working closely with the leadership of the Georgia Trauma Care Network Commission, includingChairman Dennis Ashley, MD, who is also Director of Trauma and Critical Care at The Medical Center (Navicent Health) and Chair of the Department of Surgery at Mercer University School of Medicine, both in Macon. As part of the process, Phoebe will soon appoint a Trauma Coordinator, Trauma Medical Director and Trauma Registrars. They will lead development of Phoebe’s trauma program based on recommendations established by the American College of Surgeons and to collect data, as required by OEMS/T.
Currently, there are only 10 Level II and 5 Level I designated trauma centers in Georgia (in addition to several centers specializing in burn and pediatric patients) and only one Level II center in the region served by Phoebe. “There really isn’t a difference in the sophistication of clinical care provided by Level I and Level II centers. The main distinction is Level I centers conduct research and education and participate in the training of residents. We are confident a Level II designation for Phoebe would greatly benefit southwest Georgians and would keep more trauma patients closer to home for care,” Dr. Black said.
Trauma is the leading cause of death for Americans ages 1 – 44, and death rates increase as a patient’s distance from a trauma center increases. Currently, the only Level II centers in Georgia south of Macon and west of Savannah are in Columbus and Thomasville. “Studies prove a patient’s probability of survival improves dramatically when he or she is treated at a trauma center. Right now, there is a gap in service in our part of the state. We hope to close that gap by earning Level II trauma center designation,” said Dr. Black.
Once OEMS/T accepts Phoebe’s registry and after approximately a year and a half of preparation, a team of experts will review Phoebe’s submitted documents and conduct a site visit before making a recommendation to OEMS/T which, in turn, will submit a recommendation to the Medical Director for the Department of Public Health, OEMS/T who will decide whether to accept Phoebe into the statewide trauma network.
“This journey represents a major commitment by Phoebe to the people of southwest Georgia and involves an anticipated investment of more than $5.8M over the next five years. We strongly believe a designated trauma center is needed in Albany, and it has long been a goal of Phoebe to join Georgia’s trauma care network. After a great deal of long-term planning and preparation, we are convinced now is the right time to pursue this designation,” said Joel Wernick, Phoebe President & CEO.
Phoebe is already actively recruiting trauma surgeons who will play an integral role in achieving the state designation. The new helipad is also an important part of Phoebe’s planned trauma program and will greatly enhance the care for trauma patients. It will be built on top of the parking garage next to the emergency department, eliminating a number of parking spaces.
Wednesday morning, the Albany-Dougherty Historic Preservation Commission approved a plan to raze several structures adjacent to Phoebe’s main campus that sustained major storm damage two years ago. That work will make room for additional parking and will relieve overcrowding in the small parking lots designated for emergency room and Community Care Clinic patients, thus making it easier for the public to access the main ER and the clinic.
“The helipad project alone is an investment of more than a million dollars in our patients. We believe it will bolster our efforts to achieve trauma center designation by easing congestion and improving the transport of emergency patients. Currently, helicopters transporting patients must land in a field a block away. The new helipad will increase speed and efficiency in cases where seconds truly can make a difference,” said Jeff Flowers, Phoebe Senior Vice President for Operations.
Phoebe hopes to complete the helipad in the upcoming fiscal year and plans official notification soon to the Georgia Region VIII EMS Council and OEMS/T of its plans to seek trauma center designation. The entire designation process should take 18 – 24 months. “We are confident in our ability to meet the requirements set forth by the state. We hope to earn official state designation as a trauma center and look forward to becoming the next member of the Georgia Trauma Care Network,” Wernick said.
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Podcast: Georgia Pacific breaks ground on new Albany lumber production facility
(Courtesy of Walter L. Johnson II)
Georgia Pacific broke ground on its new $150 million state-of-the-art lumber production facility at the former Albany-Dougherty Industrial Park site in eastern Dougherty County on Tuesday.
GP Public Affairs Manager Rick Kimble and Albany-Dougherty Economic Development Commission President and CEO Justin Strickland both gave their thoughts on the new facility, and the impact it could have not only on Albany/Dougherty
Rick Kimble
Justin Strickland
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