Breaking News
Phoebe/Sumter Board Holds Inaugural MeetingTwo New OB Practices at Phoebe Sumter Medical CenterBird in Hand Event Raises More Than $125,000 for Community�s Only Locally-Owned HospiceDogs Compete for Good CauseMore than 400 Walkers Attend 5th Annual Phoebe Sumter Medical Center Breast Cancer Awareness WalkLocal Banks Donate Free Mammograms in Recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness MonthAmericus Mayor Proclaims Friday, October 10th as Paint the Town Pink DayPhoebe Sumter Medical Center to honor its own at upcoming Breast Cancer Awareness WalkRN Welch Plays Cards DealtBreast Cancer License Tag Funds $50,000 to Phoebe Sumter Medical Center in AmericusWinn-Dixie donates $25,000 to Phoebe Sumter Medical Center FoundationLocal physicians celebrate 25 years of service to community92-Year-Old Sings Virtues of Phoebe Sumter Medical Center RehabHospital Destroyed by Tornado to Open Full Service Facility1st Baby Born at Phoebe Sumter Medical Center�s Newest Facility, Phoebe Sumter Medical CenterPhoebe Sumter Medical Center Ribbon Cutting VideoPhoebe Sumter Medical Center Takes Big Step in RecoveryPhoebe Sumter Medical Center to Host Open House and Ribbon Cutting EventPhoebe Sumter Medical Center Souvenir Brick DonationsPhoebe Sumter Medical Center Oncology Clinic Goes Back to Original Phone NumbersPhoebe Sumter Medical Center to Host Community Blood DriveNews And Events (Last Updated April 3, 2008)
1st Baby Born at Phoebe Sumter Medical Center�s Newest Facility, Phoebe Sumter Medical Center
Posted 04/03/2008
After opening its doors for business on Tuesday, April 1st, Phoebe Sumter Medical Center reached a historic milestone a day later on April 2nd when the first baby was born in the new facility.
Emily Wilma Katherine Price was born at 6:54 pm on April 2nd and weighed in at 6 pounds, 11 ounces and she was 20 inches long. She will now hold the distinction of being the first baby born in the facility that will serve as Phoebe Sumter Medical Center�s home until a permanent facility is built in the next few years.
Phoebe Sumter Medical Center has 76 private rooms and more than 71,000 square feet of space, and it also includes a totally functional Emergency Room. For more information about Phoebe Sumter Medical Center and its services, please call (229) 924-6011. You can also visit us at www.sumterregional.org.
Photo #1: Little Emily is pictured with parents Megan Devane and John Price. Also pictured are (l-r) OB Nurse Leighanne Faircloth, RN; OB Nurse Manager Tammi Johnston, RN; Phoebe Sumter Medical Center VP of External Operations/Marketing Comfort Greeen and Emily�s great-grandmother Dorothy Devane. Emily received a basket of gifts from the hospital to commemorate this event.
Photo #2: Emily with parents Megan Devane and John Price.
Phoebe Sumter Medical Center to Host Open House and Ribbon Cutting Event
Posted 03/27/2008
One year after a devastating tornado destroyed its main facility, Phoebe Sumter Medical Center is scheduled to be back and ready to serve its customers on April 1st in the form of Phoebe Sumter Medical Center.
The public is invited to attend an Open House/Ribbon cutting for the new facility this Sunday, March 30th from 2 pm � 5 pm. There will be a short ceremony before the actual ribbon cutting, and then that will be followed by guided tours of the new facility. Elected officials will be on hand as well as other special guests, including representatives from FEMA & GEMA, both of whom were instrumental to the hospital�s survival during this time of crisis.
During the event, Phoebe Sumter Medical Center Foundation will also sell commemorative bricks from the demolished hospital that was destroyed by an EF-3 tornado on March 1, 2007. All proceeds will benefit the construction of a new hospital, expected to open in 2010.
Phoebe Sumter Medical Center is the hospital�s interim facility that will serve as its base of operations until the permanent facility opens in a few years. Until then, the people of Southwest Georgia will enjoy a facility that holds its own against any other comparable hospital in the state.
All 76 patient beds in this brand new 74,000 square foot facility are located in private rooms. Services and Departments include Medical & Surgical Units, Pediatrics, Rehab unit, OB/Labor Delivery unit, Coronary Care unit, Outpatient Surgery, Emergency Room, Cardiopulmonary, Radiology, Chaplain, Gift Shop, Pharmacy, Physical Therapy, Clinical Lab and Pathology.
�We are very excited about the opening of this new facility, and we hope that everyone comes out to celebrate with us for this momentous occasion,� said David Seagraves, Phoebe Sumter Medical Center President & CEO. �We think the public will be pleasantly surprised when they see Phoebe Sumter Medical Center and all it has to offer.�
For additional information about the Open House/Ribbon, contact the Phoebe Sumter Medical Center Marketing & PR Department at (229) 924-6011. For all the latest updates, please visit our website at www.sumterregional.org.
About Phoebe Sumter Medical Center Foundation and Phoebe Sumter Medical Center:
Phoebe Sumter Medical Center Foundation (Phoebe Sumter Medical CenterF) is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization operated exclusively for medical, charitable, educational and scientific purposes on behalf of Phoebe Sumter Medical Center (Phoebe Sumter Medical Center). Phoebe Sumter Medical Center, formerly a 143-bed acute care facility delivering emergent and medical care to a patient base throughout the 10-county Middle Flint Region of Georgia, was destroyed by an F-3 tornado on March 1, 2007. Phoebe Sumter Medical CenterF has solicited donations from organizations and individuals to help replace the damaged hospital and its imaging and diagnostic facility, HealthPlex at Phoebe Sumter Medical Center, which was also destroyed by the storm. For more information about Phoebe Sumter Medical Center and its Foundation, visit www.sumterregional.org.
Phoebe Sumter Medical Center Souvenir Brick Donations
Click Here to Make a Donation and Receive a Piece of History in Return
For a generous donation you can get your own piece of history. Imprinted and Engraved bricks from our hospital that was hit by the March 1st tornado will be on sale to the general public.
Phoebe Sumter Medical Center Oncology Clinic goes back to original phone numbers
Effective today (Monday, Feb 11, 2008), the Phoebe Sumter Medical Center Oncology & Hematology Clinic can now be reached using their original phone numbers that were in place before the March 1st tornado.
Patients, visitors and other interested parties can call (229) 931-1381 or 931-1382 to reach someone at the clinic, which is still located at its location on the campus of Magnolia Manor.
For all the latest updates regarding Phoebe Sumter Medical Center, please visit our website at www.sumterregional.org.
Phoebe Sumter Medical Center to host Community Blood Drive
(Posted 2/11/08)
Phoebe Sumter Medical Center will host a Community Blood Drive this Friday, February 15th from 8 am to 6 pm. The drive will take place at First Baptist Church, which is located at 221 South Lee Street in Americus.
The drive will be held in memory of the late Josh Willis, who was killed in a car accident last week.
There will be t-shirts for all donors. Please call the local Red Cross at 229-924-2026 and make an appointment. Please give the greatest gift you can give: the gift of life.
Phoebe Sumter Medical Center to offer First Aid, CPR Class in February
(Posted 2/1/08)
Phoebe Sumter Medical Center will offer the American Heart Association's Heartsaver First Aid class on Saturday, February 16th at First Baptist Church. The class will be held from 9:00 AM until 3:30 PM and is open to the general public.
The course will include training in basic first-aid procedures and instruction in CPR, AED use, relief of choking in adults and children, and infant CPR and relief of choking. Participants who complete the course will receive a completion card.
The cost of the class is $30, and pre-registration is required. The deadline to sign up for the class is Thursday, February 14th. For more information or to register, please contact Karen Smith, Phoebe Sumter Medical Center Community Educator, at 924-6935 ext. 2032.
JANUARY
Phoebe Sumter Medical Center to Receive Free MRI
(Posted 01/26/2008)
Phoebe Sumter Medical Center didn't win an MRI. But it's getting one anyway.
Siemens Medical Solutions took note of the Americus hospital's plight during its Win An MRI contest last year and decided to donate an MRI system to the hospital, which was destroyed by a tornado in March.
"To witness through that (contest) video, the devastating effects of the tornado ... it's a very emotional experience to see that and recognize what the community has gone through," said Kristen Saponaro, corporate affairs manager for Siemens.
Hospital officials found out about the gift Friday morning.
"It's something that we've always wanted," said Comfort Green, vice president of external operations and marketing for Phoebe Sumter Medical Center. "With the problems that we've had here with the tornado, it's definitely going to save us some money."
The MRI, which stands for magnetic resonance imaging, is a Magnetom Essenza valued at $800,000, according to Siemens.
The hospital lost its previous MRI system in the tornado. The hospital currently operates out of an urgent care center, but expects to open an interim facility shortly. A replacement hospital will open in 2010. The MRI system will be delivered to the hospital at that time.
Lockport Memorial Hospital in Lockport, N.Y., was the winner of Siemens' Win An MRI contest, which ended Dec. 31.
A MAGNETIC GIFT: SUMTER REGIONAL HOSPITAL RECEIVES NEW MRI AS CHARITABLE DONATION FROM SIEMENS
(Posted 01/25/2008)
New System to Become Part of Massive Rebuilding Effort for Tornado-Torn Health Care Facility
In recognition of Phoebe Sumter Medical Center �s struggle to rebuild following a devastating 2007 tornado, Siemens has announced that, as part of its charitable efforts, it will be providing the Americus , Ga. facility with a new MAGNETOM ESSENZA, worth approximately $800,000.
Siemens took notice of Sumter �s story in the company�s 2007 Win an MRI Contest and will donate a MAGNETOM ESSENZA MRI to Sumter , to be delivered once the hospital gets back on its feet and has the facility to support it. The devastating effect of last spring�s tornado on Sumter and the community it serves struck a chord with Siemens. In solidarity with those at Sumter , Siemens is looking forward to the day when the re-built facility is able to support healthcare equipment such as the Siemens MAGNETOM ESSENZA.
�From the bottom of our hearts, we want to thank Siemens for generously contributing a MAGNETOM ESSENZA to our rebuilding efforts,� said David Seagraves, president and CEO of Phoebe Sumter Medical Center. �Piece by piece, we are rebuilding and, soon, we will have the ability to address the health care needs of our community even better than before.�
�As a small, rural hospital, the terrible disaster that Sumter has endured has had a profound effect on the community that relies on it for both urgent and routine health care,� said Jeffrey Bundy, vice president, Magnetic Resonance, Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc. �Siemens stands in solidarity with Sumter and hopes that the donation of the MAGNETOM ESSENZA will play an important role in helping the facility start anew and offer the best care possible.�
The MAGNETOM ESSENZA
The MAGNETOM ESSENZA, which was introduced to the market in October 2007 and developed specifically for the small hospital market, is expected to help physicians deliver improved imaging services in neurology, orthopedics, body imaging, angiography, cardiology, breast imaging, oncology and pediatric imaging.
The lowest-cost new system available today, the MAGNETOM ESSENZA boasts 1.5-Tesla magnet strength. It generates high-resolution images that will help clinicians make a more precise diagnosis and could eliminate the need for expensive and time-consuming follow-up exams.
About Siemens Healthcare
Siemens Healthcare is one of the world�s largest suppliers to the healthcare industry. The company is a renowned medical solutions provider with core competence and innovative strength in diagnostic and therapeutic technologies as well as in knowledge engineering, including information technology and system integration. With its laboratory diagnostics acquisitions, Siemens Healthcare will be the first fully integrated diagnostics company, bringing together imaging and lab diagnostics, therapy, and healthcare information technology solutions, supplemented by consulting and support services. Siemens Healthcare delivers solutions across the entire continuum of care -- from prevention and early detection, to diagnosis, therapy and care. The company employs more than 49,000 people worldwide and operates in 130 countries. In the fiscal year 2007 (Sept. 30), Siemens Healthcare reported sales of �9.85, orders of �10.27 billion, and group profit of �1.32 billion. Further information can be found by visiting www.siemens.com/healthcare.
OBGyns of Georgia Donate $20,000 for Women�s Healthcare Unit at Phoebe Sumter Medical Center
(Posted 01/23/2008)
The Georgia Obstetrical and Gynecological Society representing OBGyn physicians in Georgia recently donated $20,000 to their colleagues in Americus to help rebuild the women�s healthcare unit at Phoebe Sumter Medical Center.
After hearing about the damage from the tornado that hit the Phoebe Sumter Medical Center in 2007, OBGyns in Georgia wanted to find a way to assist their colleagues in Americus. An auction for the OBGyn community was organized for Fall 2007. Physicians and other organizations donated items for the auction which was held at the annual state OBGyn meeting. Donations included time at physicians� personal vacation homes, jewelry, art and many other items. As part of the auction, past presidents of the Society collectively purchased a quilt, handmade by family of a past president. The quilt and all the proceeds from the quilt are part of the donation amount. Dr. Schley Gatewood Jr. as well as his father, Dr. Schley Gatewood Sr., now deceased, are both respected past presidents of the state OBGyn Society.
PHOTO: On hand for the check and quilt presentation were the following: (L-R) Dr. Henry Teaford, Phoebe Sumter Medical Center VP of Medical Affairs; Local physician Gatewood Dudley, MD; Nicole Pavlides, Nurse Midwife for Dr. Schley Gatewood, Jr.; Dr. Anne Patterson-Barnett, a high risk OB from Atlanta who chaired the auction; Dr. Schley Gatewood Jr., Pat Cota, Executive Director of Georgia OBGyn Society; Phoebe Sumter Medical Center President & CEO David Seagraves; Phoebe Sumter Medical Center Director of Nursing Susie Fussell and Local OBGYN Wallace Mays, MD.
ABOUT THE OBGyn Society
The OBGyn Society is the professional organization representing OBGyn physicians in Georgia with over 900 members. It is dedicated to improving the state of women�s healthcare in Georgia through education of members and advocacy for women�s healthcare. The auction effort was chaired by Dr. Anne Patterson-Barnett, a high risk OB physician from Atlanta, GA. She will present the donation to representatives of the Americus Healthcare Community.
Siemens to make announcement regarding MRI contest this Friday at 8 am
(Posted 1/22/08)
Dear Phoebe Sumter Medical Center supporters,
We invite you to attend an important event regarding the MRI contest this Friday.
Siemens representatives will be on hand to make an announcement regarding the MRI contest. The event will begin at 8 am and will take place at the Pope Center on the campus of South Georgia Technical College in Americus. If possible, please plan on being there by 7:45 am.
This event will be webcast on the www.winanmri.com site to a world-wide audience, so we need to make a good impression and have as many people as possible in attendance. If you are unable to attend for work or other commitments, or if you do not live in this area, please go to the aforementioned website to view the ceremony live.
This event is open to the public, so please invite all of your friends and everyone who supported Phoebe Sumter Medical Center during the contest.
Thanks in advance for your support and look forward to seeing you on Friday!
Tornado Disaster Contributions
Tornado Disaster Contributions Needed For Hospital, Employees, and Community
Demolition Progress as of 01/17/2008
(Posted 01/18/2007)
Click Here to View Demolition Photos....
Demolition Day Video
You can view highlights from Wednesday's Demolition Day ceremony by clicking on the following link:
http://www.youtube.com
Demolition of 1953 Building Has Begun
(Posted 01/09/2008)
These are photos of the demolition of the 1953 building of the old Phoebe Sumter Medical Center. The demolition of the entire facility is expected to take 2 to 4 months, with groundbreaking of the permanent facility to take place later this year.
Unofficial MRI-Contest Votes Look Good for Phoebe Sumter Medical Center
(Posted 01/03/2008)
Phoebe Sumter Medical Center (Phoebe Sumter Medical Center) ended on a high note in its quest for a new MRI machine, finishing the Siemens contest with approximately 260,335 votes. Grant Regional Health Center in Lancaster, Wisc., was in second with 158,595 votes, 101,000 less than Phoebe Sumter Medical Center.
Phoebe Sumter Medical Center expects to get the official decision from Siemens sometime in mid-January. Siemens� website instructs visitors to check back on Jan. 18.
"It was a long process, but everyone stayed committed and we feel good about our chances," said Marcus Johnson, Phoebe Sumter Medical Center marketing & PR director. "We finished with a bang, and we look forward to hearing some good news from Siemens in a few weeks. It was a total team effort from everyone in the community, state, nation and world, and we certainly appreciate the support."
Click Here to Read More...
South GA Hospital Leading as MRI Contest Closes
(Posted 01/03/2008)
A south Georgia hospital may be starting off the new year with some much needed help, thanks to you.
Phoebe Sumter Medical Center is rebuilding after a tornado struck Americus, Georgia in March, destroying everything they had. Starting over is a long, expensive process, but the hospital found something that could help them. A company that makes expensive magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machines started an online contest to give a brand new machine to a worthy hospital.
Sumter put together a video presentation about their problem and what they're doing, but it was a big hit. People around the country, including right here in the Coastal Empire and Low Country, voted online to help Phoebe Sumter Medical Center.
It's not official yet, but the company closed it's online voting on New Year's Eve and Phoebe Sumter Medical Center was in the lead with more than 260,000 votes, more than 100,000 votes ahead of their closest competitor. They should get the final results in a few weeks.
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