Southwest Georgia Network

Posted on February 7, 2019 by walterljohnsonii@yahoo.com

Press Release courtesy of the Albany-Dougherty Economic Development Commission

Albany, Ga.– This week, the Georgia Chamber of Commerce hosted its 31^st 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 and expansion of industry for Albany-Dougherty County.

Follow the Southwest Georgia Network on Twitter @swganetwork.

Posted on February 7, 2019 by walterljohnsonii@yahoo.com

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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