NGMC Trauma Program Manager Earns National Nursing Leadership Award

Press Release

PRESS RELEASE

GAINESVILLE, Ga. – In a year that was once again marked by the COVID-19 pandemic, Jesse Gibson, Trauma Program Manager at Northeast Georgia Medical Center (NGMC), went above and beyond the call of her job. And although she isn’t one to look for the spotlight, Gibson was rewarded for her work as she was recently named the 2022 Society of Trauma Nurses (STN) Leadership Award recipient.

 “As a leader, Jesse understands that her team and partners are essential to a successful trauma system,” said Jackie Payne, NGMC’s Trauma Program Coordinator, who nominated Gibson for the award. “Jesse leads by example. She is well-respected in her department, in our organization, in the community and throughout the region, state and nation.”

The STN Leadership Award is presented annually to an individual who has demonstrated outstanding leadership in trauma at the local, state and national level. During the past year, Gibson and her team implemented and sustained a wide variety of projects to improve care – including reducing the length-of-stay in the surgical trauma intensive care unit and implementing a new intermediate care unit for surgical trauma patients at NGMC Gainesville.

Recently and most notably, Gibson led a successful initiative that has been recognized at the national level. The Regional Pre-Hospital Blood Product Pilot project has gained support as a new blood transfusion program that increases trauma patients’ chances of surviving by placing blood products in ambulances, so first responders can provide transfusions at the scene or on the way to the hospital. Now they’re working to determine if this program can be replicated across the state.

“I am so honored to receive this award,” Gibson said. “It is such a pleasure to serve our community, and I am so grateful to our team for their amazing work this past year.”

The award was presented on Thursday, March 31, during the opening session of TraumaCon 2022. The recipient of the Leadership Award is nominated by STN membership, selected by the Awards Committee and approved through review and endorsement made by the Board of Directors through a unanimous vote.

NGMC is a Level II trauma center with all necessary personnel, resources, equipment, education and training to save lives and care for severely injured patients. The trauma center treats more than 2,400 patients with traumatic injuries every year. For more information about NGMC’s Trauma Program, visit nghs.com/trauma.

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ABOUT NORTHEAST GEORGIA MEDICAL CENTER

Since 1951, Northeast Georgia Medical Center (NGMC) has been on a mission of improving the health of our community in all we do. With hospitals located in Gainesville, Braselton, Winder and Dahlonega, the four NGMC campuses have a total of more than 750 beds and more than 1,200 medical staff members representing more than 60 specialties. NGMC is part of Northeast Georgia Health System, a non-profit that cares for more than one million people across more than 19 counties. Learn more at www.nghs.com.

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NGHS urges community not to delay care

Press Release

GAINESVILLE, Ga. – As the COVID-19 pandemic enters its second year, Northeast Georgia Health System (NGHS) is reminding people it’s safe to go to the doctor and encouraging you to not delay care. In addition to traditional physician visits, urgent care and emergency care, patients can now receive care from trusted physicians on your cell phone or tablet.

“We are still seeing patients delay their care, and that’s causing unnecessary complications,” said Mohak Davé, medical director of Emergency Services at Northeast Georgia Medical Center (NGMC). “Regardless of how many COVID-19 patients are in the hospital, the Emergency Department is the best place to be if you’re experiencing anything that you think might be life-threatening. The worst thing you can do is stay home and hope it goes away.”

Even if you don’t need emergency care, there’s no need to put off routine check-ups or care for minor illnesses. To help patients get care no matter where they are, Northeast Georgia Physicians Group (NGPG) continues to offer three ways of digitally connecting with a care provider:

  • Video Visits – During a video visit, patients connect directly with one of NGPG’s providers for diagnosis and treatment through a phone or computer – saving a trip to a clinic. Video visits are available for most specialties including primary care, internal medicine, pediatrics and more;
  • After-Hours Care (Telemed) – With Telemed, you can get quick answers to healthcare questions by phone at no charge! Established patients with non-emergent issues after hours or on the weekend can call their provider's regular office number, hold until the Telemed service answers, and simply provide their name, birth date and reason for calling. An on-call provider will return their call within an hour;
  • E-Visits – For some basic healthcare issues, like cough, sinus pain and more, patients can simply fill out a form on a computer or smartphone at any time of day or night. The answers are sent to an on-call provider who reviews them, provides a diagnosis, asks follow-up questions if needed and may send a prescription order to your preferred pharmacy. There is a standard $40 fee for each E-Visit, and submissions are reviewed between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.

“Some patients are still uncomfortable entering a healthcare facility,” said Sakib Maya, MD, medical director for Urgent Care services for NGPG. “The good news is, we now have a variety of ways for everyone to get the care they need from wherever they are.”

For more information about these services and to schedule an appointment, visit ngpg.org/care.

ABOUT NORTHEAST GEORGIA HEALTH SYSTEM
Northeast Georgia Health System (NGHS) is a non-profit on a mission of improving the health of our community in all we do. Our team cares for more than 1 million people across the region through four hospitals and a variety of outpatient locations. Northeast Georgia Medical Center (NGMC) has campuses in Gainesville, Braselton, Winder and Dahlonega – with a total of more than 700 beds and more than 1,100 medical staff members representing more than 50 specialties.
Learn more at www.nghs.com.

NGMC completes new dedicated hospice unit for inpatient care

Press Release

PRESS RELEASE

GAINESVILLE, Ga. – While the last few days of life can be difficult, a new, dedicated inpatient hospice unit at Northeast Georgia Medical Center (NGMC) Gainesville provides specialized support for patients and their loved ones. The recently completed unit expands the services offered by Hospice of NGMC, providing a comforting atmosphere where hospice patients who are unable to remain at home can receive a higher level of skilled care exclusively from hospice-trained staff.

“We’re thrilled to be able to offer this to patients and families who choose us for their hospice needs,” said Susan Bennett, executive director of Hospice of NGMC. “Sometimes our patients with life-limiting illnesses need more care than what’s possible at home, and now they can receive that care in a unit designed specifically with the needs of hospice patients and families in mind.”

The new hospice unit includes a spacious family waiting room, as well as a smaller, more intimate quiet room for those who need a moment to themselves. The new space also features seven individual patient rooms for short stays when symptoms can’t be managed at home.

“The end-of-life care we had in the hospital before was high-quality, but patients might be on any floor and would receive care from staff with all types of training,” said Bennett. “This new unit ensures dedicated hospice staff will be focused on a patient’s care for the duration of their stay – all in a much more home-like and peaceful environment. It’s truly a beautiful setting for families and patients alike.”

To learn more about Hospice of NGMC, visit nghs.com/hospice.

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ABOUT NORTHEAST GEORGIA MEDICAL CENTER

Since 1951, Northeast Georgia Medical Center (NGMC) has been on a mission of improving the health of our community in all we do. With hospitals located in Gainesville, Braselton, Winder and Dahlonega, the four NGMC campuses have a total of more than 700 beds and more than 1,100 medical staff members representing more than 50 specialties. NGMC is part of Northeast Georgia Health System, a non-profit that cares for more than 1 million people across more than 18 counties. Learn more at www.nghs.com.

NGMC completes first AVM treatment advancing brain care for the region

Press Release

 

PRESS RELEASE

GAINESVILLE, Ga. – The radiation oncology and neuroscience teams at Northeast Georgia Medical Center (NGMC) recently partnered to provide the region’s first treatment for arteriovenous malformation (AVM), a tangle of abnormal blood vessels in the brain. Because of the high risk for stroke and myriad neurological conditions associated with AVM, patients have traditionally been sent elsewhere for care – but now they can get the care they need close to home.

“It takes a lot of collaboration between different specialists to treat a complex neurovascular disorder like this,” said Sung Lee, MD, NGMC’s medical director of Neurointerventional Surgery and a neurointerventional surgeon with Northeast Georgia Physicians Group (NGPG). “Being able to provide this treatment speaks to how we are continuing to advance the neuroscience capabilities in this region, so patients won’t have to travel for life-saving care.”

Using his expertise in angiography, Dr. Lee first located the tangled vessels in the patient’s brain and then helped develop a plan with Craig Baden, MD, a radiation oncologist with NGPG, for targeted radiation treatment. These radiation treatment capabilities have been Dat NGMC to treat cancerous tumors for years, but – without a neurointerventional surgeon like Dr. Lee – AVM treatment wasn’t possible.

“Anytime you’re dealing with a complex problem, you need experts from multiple disciplines to come together and develop an appropriate treatment plan,” said Dr. Baden. “And for an AVM treatment, we’ve had some of the pieces in place previously, but we were missing the crucial piece of a neurointerventionalist.”

Patients oftentimes don’t know they have an AVM. Dr. Baden said it’s typically diagnosed incidentally or when a patient goes in for brain imaging due to headache, seizure or some kind of neurologic problem. When concern for AVM arises, Dr. Lee steps in to help decide the best route of treatment for the patient based on certain risk factors.

“A tumor is very easy to see on an MRI,” said Dr. Baden, who has been treating tumors with radiosurgery for years. “But when you’re talking about tiny blood vessels that are connecting improperly in the brain, the best way to see those is by putting a catheter in one of the arteries and going all the way up into the vascular system in the brain – that’s the expertise Dr. Lee brings to the table.”

Dr. Lee has already helped Northeast Georgia Health System (NGHS) offer new neuroscience care capabilities like mechanical thrombectomy, a critical stroke intervention procedure. With his expertise in angiography, he’s further pushing the program to new heights.

“Dr. Lee is truly an asset to this health system and this region as a whole,” said Meghan Glabach, executive director of Neurosciences at NGHS. “With his help, we’re continually expanding stroke care at NGHS. Our campuses in Barrow, Braselton and Gainesville are now all certified as Primary Stroke Centers, and we plan to continue expanding, putting NGMC on the map as a leader in neurosciences.”

To learn more about NGMC’s neurological care, visit nghs.com/neurosciences.

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ABOUT NORTHEAST GEORGIA HEALTH SYSTEM

Northeast Georgia Health System (NGHS) is a non-profit on a mission of improving the health of our community in all we do. Our team cares for more than 1 million people across the region through four hospitals and a variety of outpatient locations. Northeast Georgia Medical Center (NGMC) has campuses in Gainesville, Braselton, Winder and Dahlonega – with a total of more than 700 beds and more than 1,100 medical staff members representing more than 50 specialties. Learn more at www.nghs.com.

 

 

Spiritual gift to NGHS Foundation names new Spiritual Care Center

Featured, News

PRESS RELEASE

GAINESVILLE, Ga. – During their 60-year marriage, Verdis C. and Mary Puckett lived by the values of faith, humility, kindness, service, stewardship and most of all, love. Now, through a signature gift to the Northeast Georgia Health System (NGHS) Foundation, Mary and her late husband have ensured those same values continue to be carried out within Northeast Georgia Medical Center (NGMC) Gainesville through the V.C. and Mary Puckett Center for Spiritual Care.

“Verdis always cared so much about the people around him — friends and family, church members, customers and especially his employees,” said Mary. “I wanted to make sure that together, even after he passed, we could do something to help care for those around us. Having the Puckett Center for Spiritual Care carry our family name is a great honor, and I know Verdis would be proud.”

V.C. served in the United States Army, rising to the rank of First Lieutenant, while Mary had a successful career as an executive secretary for several businesses. Together, they owned Gainesville Iron Works from 1961 to 1995, and the business grew from a local steel supply firm to one with product and service distribution throughout the Southeast. They also owned Power Cranes, Inc.

“It’s hard to find words to express how grateful we are to the Pucketts,” said Chris Bray, president and chief development officer of the NGHS Foundation. “Their generosity and passion for helping others is evident as these renovations and enhancements will pay dividends for all who walk through the hospital doors for years to come.”

The Puckett Center for Spiritual Care reopened after being refurbished to meet the needs of the program. With 20 volunteer chaplains, four chaplain residents and seven full-time staff chaplains, the space needed an enhanced lobby, larger reception and conference space, lockers and bathrooms for round-the-clock chaplains, as well as a few new welcoming touches that reflect the services provided. The renovated space offers a more calming and hospitable environment for the volunteer chaplains and other guests.

“This is really for all of the people we come in contact with as a Spiritual Care department,” said Chris Jennings, director of Spiritual Care at NGMC. “We want to serve them in the best way possible, and this renovated space will help us achieve that.”

Along with the renovation, what used to be known as Pastoral Care at NGMC will now be known as Spiritual Care. As the department has grown, it has become apparent that NGMC serves a wide range of people with myriad religious backgrounds — making Spiritual Care a more fitting name. Members of the department providing spiritual care will be identified as chaplains, instead of clergy or pastors.

To learn more about the Spiritual Care department at NGMC, call 770-219-5077 or visit nghs.com/spiritual-care-services.

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ABOUT NORTHEAST GEORGIA MEDICAL CENTER

Since 1951, Northeast Georgia Medical Center (NGMC) has been on a mission of improving the health of our community in all we do. With hospitals located in Gainesville, Braselton, Winder and Dahlonega, the four NGMC campuses have a total of more than 700 beds and more than 1,100 medical staff members representing more than 50 specialties. NGMC is part of Northeast Georgia Health System, a non-profit that cares for more than 1 million people across more than 18 counties. Learn more at www.nghs.com.

 

 

 

NGHS plans to add new tower, expand clinical services at NGMC Gainesville

News, Press Release

GAINESVILLE, Ga. – Northeast Georgia Health System (NGHS) plans to grow its hospital in
Gainesville to meet the growing needs of the surrounding region by adding a new, multi-story
tower as early as 2024. This future tower is part of Northeast Georgia Medical Center (NGMC)
Gainesville’s continued evolution into one of the state’s largest and most advanced community-
based, non-profit hospitals. The tower, which will be located next to the existing North Patient
Tower, will pave the way for several anticipated improvements including:
 Moving the existing Emergency Department – among the busiest in the state – to the
ground floor of the new tower and expanding the department to care for more people
quickly and efficiently
 Providing expanded and convenient access for advanced heart care including general and
interventional cardiology, heart failure treatment, electrophysiology, structural heart
program, cardiovascular surgery and more
 Creating a new helipad on the roof of the tower, which will mean faster and more
efficient access to support life-saving trauma, heart, stroke and surgical care
 Adding more operating rooms to expand available surgeries and procedures to treat
complex stroke, neurosurgery, cancer and vascular cases
 Adding more than 150 new beds for inpatient care
 Adding a parking deck with hundreds of new parking spaces for patients and visitors

Page 2 of 2

 Adding the ability to care for more patients while also creating an opportunity for future
renovation of the South Tower
Timelines may shift depending on potential changes in the overall healthcare needs of the
community. Between 700 – 2,000 workers are expected to be on-site for planning and
construction at any given time as the project progresses.
“We’ve started referring to our future expansion and improvement projects as ‘Growing
the Greater Good,’” says Carol Burrell, president and CEO of Northeast Georgia Health System.
“That phrase is a reminder that when we grow facilities to care for more patients and expand our
clinical services, we’re ultimately reinvesting in the overall health of our region.
"Any time we add a new building, it’s a new place where we are helping people in many
ways – whether it’s providing a new service, creating new jobs or simply lifting the spirits of a
community. These projects go way beyond brick and mortar.”
NGMC Gainesville’s Emergency Department is routinely among the busiest in the state.
Moving the department to the future tower will create a more efficient space to help meet the
growing need for emergency and trauma care in the community. The expanded space will also
support training needs for an Emergency Medicine physician residency program, which NGMC
hopes to add in the coming year – as it continues to empower the physician leaders of tomorrow.
While planning for the future tower is underway, other improvement projects will
continue.
“We have a team that’s evaluating ways to improve how we move patients through the
hospital more efficiently, while maintaining high-quality care that will get them back home to
their loved ones as quickly as possible,” says Michael Covert, NGHS chief operating officer.

Page 2 of 2

“That includes reducing wait times in all parts of a patient’s journey, often starting with the
Emergency Department.”

 

NGHS stroke procedures saves lives, keeps people closer to home

News, Press Release

GAINESVILLE, Ga. – When it comes to strokes, seconds could be the difference between full recovery and long-term effects. For decades, people could rely on Northeast Georgia Medical Center (NGMC) to provide clot-busting drugs that might save their lives, but they would have to be transferred to other hospitals outside the region if other critical procedures were needed. Now – thanks to NGMC adding new technology and welcoming a new stroke expert – people can receive all the stroke care they need closer to home, saving valuable time and increasing the chances for recovery.

Sung Lee, MD, will perform critical stroke intervention procedures in NGMC Gainesville’s new Neurointerventional Lab. The lab features the latest stroke-fighting technology to perform mechanical thrombectomies, a procedure that uses small catheters and wires to remove blood clots from the brain. He is the only doctor in the northeast Georgia region performing the procedure, and the lab is the only one of its kind in the region.

“Even though we are grateful for our colleagues in Atlanta, the delay in getting to timely treatment was a real detriment to our community,” said Dr. Lee, a neurointerventional surgeon with Northeast Georgia Physicians Group (NGPG) and NGMC’s medical director of Neurointerventional Surgery. “This is a game-changer for how we not only treat strokes, but it also gives us the ability to perform other complex brain, spinal and vascular procedures. It’s the dawn of a new era of neurological care in Hall County and the surrounding region.”

In addition to providing round-the-clock care at NGMC gainesville, Dr. Lee is also seeing patients at his NGPG practice in Gainesville. He received his medical degree from the Medical College of Georgia before completing a residency in neurology at the Mayo Clinic, a sub-specialty fellowship in neurocritical care and stroke at the University of California in San Francisco and an additional fellowship in neurointerventional radiology at Emory University. He is board certified in Neurology, Vascular Neurology and Neurocritical Care.

“We’re excited that Dr. Lee is helping lead our stroke team, as we continually push the boundaries to improve our services and make sure patients who come in with stroke symptoms receive the best and quickest treatment possible,” said Holley Adams, Stroke Program coordinator at NGMC Gainesville. “Our community is truly a safer place now that we offer this level of care.”

If you or a loved one suspect a stroke, remember the acronym BE FAST:

Balance difficulties

Eyesight changes

Face drooping

Arm weakness

Speech slurring

Time to call 911

For more information about recognizing the signs of stroke and to learn more about stroke care at NGMC, visit nghs.com/stroke-care. To learn more about NGPG Neurointerventional Surgery, call 770-219-6520 or visit ngpg.org.

ABOUT NORTHEAST GEORGIA MEDICAL CENTER

Since 1951, Northeast Georgia Medical Center (NGMC) has been on a mission of improving the health of our community in all we do. With hospitals located in Gainesville, Braselton, Winder and Dahlonega, the four NGMC campuses have a total of more than 700 beds and more than 1,100 medical staff members representing more than 50 specialties. NGMC is part of Northeast Georgia Health System, a non-profit that cares for more than 1 million people across more than 18 counties. Learn more at www.nghs.com.

ABOUT NORTHEAST GEORGIA PHYSICIANS GROUP

Northeast Georgia Physicians Group (NGPG) brings together over 450 talented physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, midwives and other clinical staff at more than 65 locations across North Georgia. As the state’s sixth-largest physician group, we always have a practice nearby to offer you expert care in more than 25 specialties. See the full list of specialties and locations – and meet our providers – at www.ngpg.org.

NGPG is affiliated with Northeast Georgia Health System (NGHS), a non-profit which serves more than 1 million people in 19 counties across the region. As part of NGHS, patients of NGPG have a direct connection to Northeast Georgia Medical Center’s four hospitals in Gainesville, Braselton, Winder and Dahlonega. Learn more at www.nghs.com.

 

 

 

 

NGMC recognized for excellence in stroke care

News, Press Release

PRESS RELEASE

GAINESVILLE, Ga. –Northeast Georgia Medical Center (NGMC) Gainesville has been recertified as a Primary Stroke Center by DNV GL Healthcare (DNV) while NGMC Braselton received a stroke quality award from the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association (AHA/ASA).

“At NGMC Gainesville, we’re honored to have been able to serve our community and the entire North Georgia region as a Primary Stroke Center since 2010,” says Dr. Jonathan Kerrick, neurologist and specialty service line director for Northeast Georgia Physicians Group (NGPG). “We always want to treat patients who experience stroke symptoms in the best and fastest way we can, and receiving this recertification proves we accomplish that daily.”

In order to receive the recertification, which happens every three years, a hospital must have the staff, infrastructure and programs to stabilize and treat most emergent stroke patients. The hospital must also provide some acute therapies and admit patients to a designated stroke unit or to beds specifically assigned for stroke care.

“The mission at NGHS is to improve the health of our community in all we do,” says Holley Adams, stroke coordinator at NGMC Gainesville. “Our stroke program is continuing to do that by taking care of stroke patients in the community, ensuring they don’t have to travel far to get treatment.”

The Stroke Program at NGMC Gainesville was also awarded the AHA/ASA Get With the Guidelines Gold Plus Quality Award, as well as the Target: Stroke Honor Roll and Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll.

The Gold Plus Quality Award recognizes hospitals for their commitment to excellent treatment of stroke patients by following national guidelines to ensure quick, quality care for 24 consecutive months.

In order to be recognized for the Target: Stroke Honor Roll award, a hospital must achieve a 60-minute door-to-needle time — the amount of time between when a stroke patient arrives in the emergency room and when they receive the clot-buster drug tPA — for at least 75% of applicable patients. And for the Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll, a hospital must demonstrate at least 90% compliance with stroke measures specifically tailored to patients with Type 2 diabetes for 12 consecutive months.

NGMC Braselton was awarded the Get With The Guidelines Silver Plus Quality Award for its commitment to stroke care for 12 consecutive months, as well as the Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll.

“Earning these awards is a great thing for us, but we truly care about our patients most,” says Kerrick. “Our patients come first. The awards come second.”

To learn more about stroke care offered at NGMC’s Primary Stroke Center in Gainesville, or our Remote Treatment Stroke Centers in Braselton or Barrow, visit nghs.com/stroke-care.

ABOUT NORTHEAST GEORGIA MEDICAL CENTER

Since 1951, Northeast Georgia Medical Center (NGMC) has been on a mission of improving the health of our community in all we do. With hospitals located in Gainesville, Braselton, Winder and Dahlonega, the four NGMC campuses have a total of more than 700 beds and more than 1,100 medical staff members representing more than 50 specialties. NGMC is part of Northeast Georgia Health System, a non-profit that cares for more than 1 million people across more than 18 counties. Learn more at www.nghs.com.

Lumpkin County man arrested for battery, criminal trespass

News

LUMPKIN COUNTY, Ga. – A 24-year-old Lumpkin County man was arrested on charges of simple battery-family violence and criminal trespass last week.

Sheriff’s deputies responded to a 911 call on Thursday (May 28) where, according to the incident report, Joanne Rider said her son, Tyler Holloway, chased her through the house and punched her before punching through a window and cutting his arm.

Holloway’s grandfather said he was asleep when he heard screaming and awoke to see Holloway fighting with his mother before he called 911. According to the report there was no visible sign of injury to Joanne Rider and she later changed her story to say her son did not hit her.

Holloway was transported to Northeast Georgia Medical Center for medical treatment then to the Lumpkin County Detention Center.

 

Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYN attracts 300,000+ page views per month, 3.5 million impressions per month and approximately 15,000 viewers per week on FYNTV.com and up to 60,000 Facebook page reach. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com

 

Local martial artist back to normal after stroke

News

GAINESVILLE, Ga. – Greg and Jeri Mansur were away for a little bit of a staycation when a stroke struck.

Greg was out buying some medicine for Jeri’s headache. They exchanged a few texts. But, when he returned to the hotel, he found Jeri, her face against the ground. “He came back, and he saw me on the floor,” Jeri, now 63, said.

She couldn’t stand. She couldn’t give her husband any answers. She wasn’t sure how she ended up on the floor and couldn’t figure out why she wasn’t able to get up. Greg knew something was wrong.

In the 11 minutes between the last text Greg exchanged with his wife and the time he called 911, Greg realized Jeri had suffered a stroke. He was able to tell the operator on the phone, and Jeri was taken to Northeast Georgia Medical Center (NGMC) in Gainesville, the area’s designated primary stroke center, for rapid treatment. The staff at NGMC were prepared for Jeri’s arrival and able to administer alteplase, a blood clot-busting drug. When a stroke occurs, time is everything.

“Her arm, her whole left side, was gone,” Greg said. “She had no movement, no feeling, no strength, no anything. She was looking the wrong way when I called her, and I said, ‘Baby, something’s wrong.’ So, I called 911 right away.”

Jeri is an otherwise healthy person. She’s likely healthier than most her age – or even younger. She’s a martial artist with a third-degree black belt and a personal trainer. Greg said she’s worked out at least five days a week, every week, since her 20s. She doesn’t have a history of strokes in her family.

“I would have never thought in a million years that I’d have a stroke,” Jeri said. “I’ve been healthy all my life.”

But a stroke can affect anybody. “That’s the scary thing about strokes,” said Holley Adams, stroke coordinator at NGMC Gainesville. “They can happen to anyone at any time. And, when a stroke does occur, it’s important to get help fast — like Greg was able to do for Jeri.”

When Jeri suffered her stroke in July 2019, she was rushed to NGMC. The quick assessment she received there helped save Jeri from any long-term deficits she may have faced.

“It’s important to always seek care immediately if you’re experiencing symptoms of a stroke, even during this COVID-19 pandemic,” Adams said. “The main thing we want everyone to do is call 911, no matter what. When you arrive at NGMC, we’re prepared to evaluate you quickly and administer alteplase if you’re eligible. And, if we need to send you somewhere else for further treatment, we’re prepared to do that, too.”

Before Greg was able to get to NGMC to be with his wife, nurses at the areas designated primary stroke center had a plan in place.

“By the time I got there, they had already figured out that Jeri had a clot in her brain, and she needed to get down to (Grady Memorial Hospital),” Greg said. “Their speediness in addressing the issue was certainly very good.”

Jeri was flown to Grady in Atlanta for surgery, and she is now almost fully recovered.

“I don’t have any paralysis,” Jeri said. “But what I’ve learned since the stroke is that time is of the essence.”

May is National Stroke Awareness Month, and this is Jeri’s first year observing as a stroke survivor. She didn’t know much about strokes around this time last year, but now she does.

“You could say he’s my hero,” Jeri said of her husband. “Because of the way he acted so quickly in getting me help, whenever I’m in a situation where somebody might be having a stroke, I’ll do my very best to do what he did for me — get help as quick as possible. I’m very thankful.”

For more information about stroke care and to learn how one of NGMC’s designated stroke centers in Barrow, Braselton or Gainesville can help, visit nghs.com/stroke-care.

 

ABOUT NORTHEAST GEORGIA MEDICAL CENTER

Since 1951, Northeast Georgia Medical Center (NGMC) has been on a mission of improving the health of our community in all we do. With hospitals located in Gainesville, Braselton, Winder and Dahlonega, the four NGMC campuses have a total of more than 700 beds and more than 1,100 medical staff members representing more than 50 specialties. NGMC is part of Northeast Georgia Health System, a non-profit that cares for more than 1 million people across more than 18 counties. Learn more at www.nghs.com.

 

 

 

NGHS reports 111 COVID-19 cases

News

GAINESVILLE, Ga. – Northeast Georgia Health System (NGHS) which operates hospitals in Gainesville, Dahlonega, Braselton and Winder,  has released data about its COVID-19 cases.  Monday afternoon, NGHS reported that 15 deaths have occurred and 111 COVID-19 patients had been treated.

While this information is shared with the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) each day, it may not match what is available on the Georgia DPH website due to a lag in how the information is verified and updated.

“Keep in mind, due to challenges that still exist with testing, we are confident that even our latest data doesn’t truly reveal all cases that exist in our community,” says Supriya Mannepalli, MD, chair of Northeast Georgia Medical Center’s Infection Prevention & Control Committee. “It’s a certainty there are more people with COVID-19 in our region who haven’t been tested and aren’t showing any symptoms.”

On Monday, Gov. Brian Kemp announced plans to reopen parts of Georgia’s economy, including barber shops, hair salons, gyms and fitness centers later this week and restaurants by April 27.

NGHS has a predictive model – which applies widely respected methodology developed by the University of Pennsylvania to real-time data from NGHS – which currently shows COVID-19 activity may eventually outpace the health system’s capacity.

“It’s true that we have some capacity for patients today, but that is extremely likely to change,” says Clifton Hastings, MD, chief of NGMC’s Medical Staff. “The only way to lessen the likelihood of our hospitals being overwhelmed is for people to continue following expert recommendations to stay home as much as possible, wear masks and isolate if you develop symptoms.”

“Our intensive care units in Gainesville and Braselton are hovering between 60-80% full on any given day, and they would have already been overwhelmed if we had not recently increased our total ICU beds from 91 to 134,” says Michael Covert, NGHS chief operating officer. “We look forward to adding 20 more beds when a mobile ICU unit granted by the state arrives on May 5. We have also increased the number of medical/surgical beds across all four hospitals from 474 to 522, and we have a total of 108 ventilators across the health system.”

NGHS President and CEO Carol Burrell said, “Some people may think we are overstating the seriousness of the situation, and they’re anxious to get back to ‘business as usual,Trust me, as a non-profit, we understand that sentiment for many reasons. But our physician leaders, clinical experts and objective data all tell us now is not the time to relax. Rather, now is the time to continue to take every precaution we can.”

People can continue to get the latest information about what they need to do if they feel sick, how NGHS is responding to the pandemic and how the community can help at nghs.com/COVID-19.

“We know people are tired of staying home, but this is about saving as many lives as possible,” says Burrell. “Thank you for doing your part, and know you should be proud of our entire team – physicians, clinical staff, support staff, everyone – who are working tirelessly to care for you and your loved ones.”

ABOUT NORTHEAST GEORGIA HEALTH SYSTEM
Northeast Georgia Health System (NGHS) is a non-profit on a mission of improving the health of our community in all we do. Our team cares for more than 1 million people across the region through four hospitals and a variety of outpatient locations. Northeast Georgia Medical Center (NGMC) has campuses in Gainesville, Braselton, Winder and Dahlonega – with a total of more than 700 beds and more than 1,100 medical staff members representing more than 50 specialties. Learn more at www.nghs.com

Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYN attracts 300,000+ page views per month, 3.5 million impressions per month and approximately 15,000 viewers per week on FYNTV.com and up to 60,000 Facebook page reach. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com

NGHS urges 14 days isolation

News

GAINESVILLE, Ga. – As the number of positive cases of COVID-19 and associated deaths in Georgia continue to climb, Northeast Georgia Health System (NGHS) physicians and board members – along with city and county officials in multiple jurisdictions – are collectively urging you stay home for at least 14 days to slow the spread of the virus.

“This is a critical moment in time for the health of our local communities, state and nation,” says Supriya Mannepalli, MD, medical director of Infectious Disease for Northeast Georgia Medical Center (NGMC). “If people don’t stay home and isolate more strictly now, COVID-19 will continue to spread rapidly – potentially as rapidly as it has in other countries that waited until it was too late to avoid dire consequences.”

As of 5 p.m. on March 27, the Georgia Department of Public Health reports 2,001 positive cases of COVID-19 and 64 deaths already caused by the virus.

“When you hear experts talk about ‘flattening the curve,’ what they’re talking about is slowing the spread of COVID-19 before hospitals and healthcare resources are overwhelmed,” says Shravan Kethireddy, MD, medical director of Critical Care for NGMC. “If that happens, we will be forced to start making extremely difficult decisions about who receives care and who doesn’t – and no one ever wants to make those decisions.”

A joint resolution issued by NGHS’ medical staff and board members, in collaboration with the Hall County Commission and Gainesville City Council, recognizes some necessary exceptions for leaving your home. They ask that you leave only for tasks required by your job and necessary needs such as food, medications and medical emergencies.

“Our hope is that businesses will make every effort to encourage people to work from home whenever possible, or to create a work environment that allows for at least six feet of distance between workers,” says RK Whitehead, chair of the NGHS Board of Trustees. “As a local business owner, I know that isn’t easy for my business and won’t be easy for many other businesses – and healthcare workers may not always have those options – but we must all make a serious commitment to social distancing. We believe it’s necessary to save lives.”

If you start to feel sick, Northeast Georgia Health System is advising people to take three simple steps:

1) Monitor your symptoms at home – pay close attention to symptoms like fever, cough and shortness of breath.

2) Call before you come – if you feel you need to leave home for care, call your doctor’s office first to discuss your symptoms and get direction about where to go. If you don’t have a doctor, call an urgent care clinic or find a practice at www.ngpg.org. “You can also complete an online E-Visit from home by visiting www.ngpg.org/evisit.”

3) Rely on healthcare providers to determine if you need to be tested – caregivers will evaluate your symptoms and will coordinate testing if needed. If you experience emergency symptoms including trouble breathing; persistent pain or pressure in your chest; new confusion or inability to arouse; or bluish lips or face – seek medical treatment immediately.

Due to a national shortage of test supplies, Northeast Georgia Health System is currently prioritizing testing for these patient groups experiencing symptoms:

  • Anyone who has experienced symptoms within the last 14 days and traveled to high-risk areas identified by the CDC
  • Anyone who has experienced symptoms within the last 14 days and had direct contact with a person who is suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19
  • High-risk patients with moderate or severe illness:
  • People over the age of 60
  • People with chronic medical conditions
  • Pregnant women
  • Hospitalized patients with respiratory illness of unknown cause and signs/symptoms consistent with COVID-19
  • Healthcare workers
  • First responders (law enforcement, firefighters, paramedics, etc.)
  • Patients in illness clusters in a communal location (schools, shelters, etc.)
  • Prioritized groups may change to fit the situation as the pandemic evolves. You can find more helpful information at nghs.com/covid-19.

ABOUT NORTHEAST GEORGIA HEALTH SYSTEM

Northeast Georgia Health System (NGHS) is a non-profit on a mission of improving the health of our community in all we do. Our team cares for more than 1 million people across the region through four hospitals and a variety of outpatient locations. Northeast Georgia Medical Center (NGMC) has campuses in Gainesville, Braselton, Winder and Dahlonega – with a total of more than 700 beds and more than 1,100 medical staff members representing more than 50 specialties. Learn more at www.nghs.com.

 

NGHS issues guide for patients, visitors and employees

News

GAINESVILLE, Ga. — Northeast Georgia Health System has issued this press release to guide visitors at each Northeast Georgia Medical Center (NGMC) hospital:

Each patient and visitor will be screened for COVID-19 as they enter. You can see a complete list of open entrances, updated visitation limitations and other helpful information at www.nghs.com/covid-19.

“These simple screening questions will help us protect all of our patients, visitors and employees as we try to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in our communities,” said Supriya Mannepalli, MD, chair of the Infection Prevention & Control Committee for NGMC. “If a visitor is suspected for COVID-19, we will provide them with next steps to follow for testing.”

Physicians and hospital leadership are reviewing scheduled, elective surgeries. Hospital staff will contact patients if a surgery is canceled. If you have concerns about your scheduled surgery, please contact your physician’s office.

Cafeterias at all NGMC hospitals will continue to serve food, but all dining areas are closed until further notice. That means patients, visitors and employees may purchase food to take back to waiting areas, patient rooms, break rooms, etc.

“These decisions are being made with safety in mind,” says Carol Burrell, president & CEO of NGHS. “Our top priority is always the safety of our patients, visitors, employees, physicians and others who rely on and support NGHS.”

Northeast Georgia Health System (NGHS) was notified today of two confirmed positive tests for COVID-19. Both patients are currently being treated at NGMC Braselton.

“Our physicians, nurses and other staff are following all guidelines from the CDC to provide the best possible care,” says Anthony Williamson, president of NGMC Braselton. “That includes keeping the patients in negative pressure rooms, wearing personal protective equipment and following all recommended cleaning procedures to help keep patients and all others in the hospital safe. People in our community should continue coming to NGMC Braselton for care as they need it.”

If you have a fever and cough or difficulty breathing, these steps will help you find the care you need and limit the spread of COVID-19 in our region:

Call before you come

Please call your doctor’s office or an urgent care clinic for advice about where you should go for treatment.

If you already have an appointment scheduled and have recently traveled to an area affected by Coronavirus, please call the office before you leave your house.

Call 9-1-1 for emergencies

Calling 9-1-1 is always the fastest and most efficient way to get proper treatment for medical emergencies.

Consider staying home and completing an E-Visit

We have updated our online E-Visits to ask screening questions that may indicate if you have Coronavirus.

Just visit www.ngpg.org/evisit-info for instructions about how to complete an E-Visit from the comfort of your home.

ABOUT NORTHEAST GEORGIA HEALTH SYSTEM

Northeast Georgia Health System (NGHS) is a non-profit on a mission of improving the health of our community in all we do. Our team cares for more than 1 million people across the region through four hospitals and a variety of outpatient locations. Northeast Georgia Medical Center (NGMC) has campuses in Gainesville, Braselton, Winder and Dahlonega – with a total of more than 700 beds and more than 1,100 medical staff members representing more than 50 specialties. Learn more at www.nghs.com.

Army combat veteran Jeff Moran’s experience in Iraq, Afghanistan has prepared him to lead

Election 2018

FetchYourNews will post a series of profile articles on both candidates for the District 4 seat on the Lumpkin County Board of Commissioners. This is the first in that series.

DAHLONEGA, Ga. – Jeff Moran’s life has been guided by the principle of service before self. He proved that during a stellar 26-year career in the U.S. Army that included multiple leadership roles and three combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Now he wants to serve his county as a member of the Lumpkin County Board of Commissioners. But first, he will have to defeat Clarence Grindle in a July 24 runoff. In last week’s General Primary, Grindle received 1,005 votes to Moran’s 956. Mark Zeller finished third with 538 votes.

In an exclusive interview with FetchYourNews Tuesday, Moran said he is well-prepared to hold the office.

“One thing the military has always been good at is producing leaders,” he said. “I can’t think of a bigger leadership challenge than leading people into combat.”

Moran entered the Army as a private but rose up the ranks to become a commissioned officer and ultimately to the rank of major. During his combat deployments, he commanded 180 soldiers. The last was an outpost on the outskirts of the mountains of Afghanistan, a 13-hour ride away from reinforcement on the Pakistani border.

He and his men did more than carry out combat missions, however. “We provided security for a district the size of two counties, attended government meetings, sat with them and talked about issues like building schools, retaining walls to divert flood waters and paving projects. So there were a lot of things that directly relate to being a county commissioner that I was actually able to do as a combat officer. With all those combat deployments, there were some serious leadership challenges, and I was successful in all of them,” Moran stated.

Moran said the critical issue facing Lumpkin County is economic development: “We need more industrial growth in the county. Right now, our citizens drive outside the county to work, shop, eat, find entertainment and get medical care. They travel to surrounding counties and sink millions of dollars into their economy as opposed to our own. With an effective plan of commercial and industrial growth, we can address economic development while still maintaining the charm of Dahlonega and preserving the beauty of Lumpkin County.”

There is little doubt that explosive growth is headed northward up the Ga. 400 corridor to Lumpkin County. Moran said the county is eerily similar in population and growth rate to Forsyth County in the late 1990s. “Look at Forsyth now. We can either come up with a plan and get ahead of growth and manage it properly or stick our heads in the sand and hope for the best,” Moran stressed.

Moran said the possibility of Northeast Georgia Medical Center building a hospital at the intersection of Ga. 400 and Hwy. 60 will “create a spark that will ignite growth here in the community. It’s going to bring jobs to the community where people can live here and work here too, not just doctors and surgeons, but nurses, technicians, x-ray techs, cafeteria workers and custodial staff.”

Moran said he will work to ensure transparency on the board and enhance communication with the citizens of the county by recommending that all meetings be streamed live on the county website and recorded so that all citizens will have access to them.

Now that he has settled into civilian life, he is the senior Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (JROTC) instructor at Lumpkin County High School. His wife Brenda owns her own small business in Lumpkin County. The couple has four grown children.

“I have the time, energy, passion and dedication to serve the people of Lumpkin County,” Moran said.

 

Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYN attracts 300,000+ page views per month, 3.5 million impressions per month and approximately 15,000 viewers per week on FYNTV.com and up to 60,000 Facebook page reach. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dawsonville man killed in single-vehicle wreck

News

DAHLONEGA, Ga. – A Dawsonville man was killed in a single-vehicle traffic accident on Hwy. 52 West Monday night near its intersection with Applewood Lane in Lumpkin County.

The deceased was identified by Lumpkin County Coroner Jim Sheppard as 52-year-old Jeffrey Wayne Disharoon, of 47 Betts Mine Road in Dawson County.

According to a Georgia State Patrol incident report, Disharoon was the driver of a Ford Econoline van traveling west on state Road 52 when it failed to negotiate a left-hand curve, overturned and struck a tree with its top. The van came to rest on its right side facing south on the north shoulder of SR 52.

Tambra Nelson, 55, of Lumpkin County, was a front-seat passenger in the van. She was transported to Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Gainesville where she was treated for unknown injuries.

The report indicates that both victims had their seatbelts on and that drugs and alcohol are not suspected to be a factor in this crash.

 

 

 

Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYN attracts 300,000+ page views per month, 3.5 million impressions per month and approximately 15,000 viewers per week on FYNTV.com and up to 60,000 Facebook page reach. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com

 

NGHS opening new emergency room and building new hospital in Lumpkin County

Community, Featured

LUMPKIN CO., GA

Northeast Georgia Health System announced in February that they were opening an emergency room in Lumpkin County, in the facility that was formerly Chestatee Regional Hospital. The new facility will open July 1, 2019 and will offer emergency services, as well as some inpatient beds, imaging equipment and other services; however, the emergency room will be open temporarily. NGHS is also currently developing plans for a new hospital facility that will be located along GA-400, near the intersection with Hwy 60. It is expected to be designed in the same fashion as the NGHS Braselton hospital, and will be called Northeast Georgia Medical Center Lumpkin, or NGMC Lumpkin for short.

Offering services at the existing hospital site will preserve the Certificate of Need authority to operate a hospital in Lumpkin County, while also meeting the healthcare needs of Lumpkin and surrounding counties. The anticipated open date for the new hospital is 2022, and it will provide emergency services, inpatient medical/surgical care, imaging services and a focus on outpatient surgery.

NGHS President and CEO, Carol Burrell, expressed her excitement over the upcoming changes, “We’re thrilled to share this exciting news, which ensures people in and around Lumpkin County will have local access to the high-quality health care they need for generations to come,” says Carol Burrell, president and CEO of NGHS.  “We appreciate the patience of the community as we’ve worked to create solutions that are high-quality, sustainable, and deliver on our mission to improve the health of the community in all we do.”

NGHS currently leases the former Chestatee Regional Hospital property from The University System of Georgia Board of Regents, so once NGMC Lumpkin is in full operation, the University of North Georgia (UNG) will utilize the former Chestatee Regional Hospital facility for their highly competitive nursing program, as well as other educational purposes. “These positive changes in our local healthcare landscape create exciting opportunities to enhance the way we teach and prepare our students,” says Dr. Bonita Jacobs, president of the University of North Georgia (UNG).  “We look forward to the potential to collaborate with NGHS and other local providers.” Dahlonega resident and former executive director of Lumpkin County’s Development Authority. According to Dahlonega resident, former executive director of Lumpkin County’s Development Authority, and former Georgia Senator, Steve Gooch, “I’ve driven and supported efforts to establish a new hospital in Lumpkin County and expand UNG’s healthcare programs on the Dahlonega campus, in large part because of the role healthcare plays in today’s economics. We’ve all seen the growth and prosperity of a new hospital and associated development can bring, and we look forward to working alongside NGHS to build a better future for our community.”

 

FetchYourNews.com attracts more than 300,000 page views and 3.5 million impressions per month for ad server. FYNTV attracts approximately 15,000 viewers per week and has between 15,000 to 60,000 per week Facebook page reach. For the most effective, least expensive local advertising, call 706-276-6397 or visit [email protected]

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