Southwest Georgia Network

Left Photo: State Senator Renee Unterman

Right Photo (L-R): Jeffrey Nasworthy, M.D., Christopher Thaver, M.D., Amanda An, M.D., Nguyet Nguyen-To, M.D., Tarah Henderson, M.D., Keylon Glawson, M.D., Kyle Libbey, M.D., Travisha Vaughns, M.D.

(Photos courtesy of Phoebe Putney Health System)

By Walter L. Johnson II

The Family Medicine Residency program at Phoebe Putney Health System welcomed its largest class of residents Wednesday. Eight doctors received their white coats during the annual ceremony at the main entrance of Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital, marking the most residents that the residency program has had during its 25-year history.

State Senator Renee Unterman (R-Buford), who served as the keynote speaker for this year’s ceremony, explained that the Family Medicine Residency fills a critical need not only for qualified and trained doctors, but also for the healthcare workforce for Southwest Georgia in general.

“It’s a great day to be in Albany, but it’s also a great day to improve the workforce of people who are able to take care of people in need, sick people,” Unterman said. “So it’s just an exciting to be able to see the community input. (The residents) are just overwhelmed with love and support. It’s a three-year program and I know they’re going to be very successful.”

Travisha Vaughns, M.D., one of the eight residents to be a part of the history-making Class of 2021, shared in Unterman’s excitement of being in Southwest Georgia.

“I’m really excited to be at Phoebe (to) start as a medicine doctor,” Vaughns said. “It’s really intriguing to be in this specific situation.”

The opportunity to serve the mostly rural population that Phoebe serves drew Vaughns, a graduate of the Florida State University College of Medicine, to the Family Medicine Residency program.

“I was in the same situation (while) growing up,” Vaughns added. “As a physician, I always wanted to deal with a population of people who are under-served.”

Additionally, Vaughns wants to learn as much as possible about family medicine during her time in Southwest Georgia.

“I want to look into all avenues of family medicine, since it is so broad, to make that I’m able to focus on the practice.”

Aside from Vaughns, seven other doctors earned their pagers, as well as their white doctor’s coats. The remaining members of the Class of 2021 are as follows:

• Amanda An, M.D., Ross University School of Medicine
• Keylon Glawson, M.D., Meharry Medical College
• Tarah Henderson, D.O., Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine
• Kyle Libbey, M.D., Mercer University School of Medicine
• Jeffrey Nasworthy, M.D., Mercer University School of Medicine
• Nguyet Nguyen-To, M.D., Ross University School of Medicine
• Christopher Thaver, M.D., Morehouse School of Medicine

More Information: Phoebe Putney Health System Family Medicine Residency

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Photo Caption: Patient & Staff at Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals

(Courtesy of Phoebe Putney Health System)

Press Release courtesy of Phoebe Putney Health System

Albany, Ga. –Phoebe Family members set a new record during this year’s May is for Miracles campaign. Across the health system, employees raised $16,911 for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals (CMNH). “Our employees did an amazing job engaging friends, family, and local businesses to raise money. I am so proud of the enthusiasm and generosity all our employees showed for this campaign helping our local infants and kids,” said Becca Miller, CMNH coordinator.

Last month, over 40 departments across the health system sold iconic balloons to friends and family for $1 and made creative displays with the balloons in their departments. In Albany, the NICU raised the most money while Information Systems won the best display award. At Phoebe Worth, Materials Management, Environmental Services and Plant Operations won the fundraising award and Rehabilitation had the best display. And, in Americus at Phoebe Sumter Patient Treatment Modality raised the most money.

All of the money raised stays in Southwest Georgia to help medical professionals treat local children. Since 1997, CMNH supporters have raised more than $4.5 million to provide specialized equipment and programs to help babies and children treated at Phoebe.

Community members can also help support CMNH by purchasing Miracle Balloons at local sponsor locations. Currently, Miracle Balloons can be purchased at Dairy Queen through August 2.

For more information on how you can help or learn more about Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, contact Phoebe Foundation at (229) 312-1491.

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Press Release courtesy of Locate SouthGeorgiaLEADS and OneSumter.Org

June 25, 2018 Americus – Locate South GeorgiaLEADS (LSGL) is actively recruiting for participants for the third year across a 21-county region in South Georgia.  With Locate South GeorgiaLEADS, presented by Electric Cities of Georgia, recruiting the class for the 2018-2019 program, the region’s economic development initiative, Locate South Georgia seeks to link business and civic leaders, as well as elected and public officials, to the region’s economic development agenda and efforts.

LSGL is a 21-county regional leadership development program for South Georgia designed in 2015 as a partnership of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, the J.W. Fanning Institute for Leadership Development at the University of Georgia, and the region’s economic development professionals and affiliates that make up Locate South Georgia.

As the largest regional leadership program in the State, South Georgia is raising the bar for leadership, economic development and civic engagement for existing leaders.  LSGL is an eight-month leadership experience for leaders throughout South Georgia designed to facilitate awareness of issues that are essential to the future success of the region by giving participants the necessary skills and training needed to effectively lead South Georgia in the 21^st Century economy.

Visits to new communities, focused on issues of regional importance and growth challenges across the region; this year’s LSGL class will have the opportunity to visit the Georgia Ports Authority in Savannah and network with regional leaders from Leadership Southeast Georgia—the coastal region’s leadership program.  With applications currently available, the program will start in August 2018 and run through March 2019.  This year’s class will join the alumni of LSGL at a kick-off retreat in Sylvester-Worth County on August 16-17.

LSGL links regional site visits and issue awareness to relevant leadership development content within the framework of the Locate South GeorgiaLEADS priorities.  Emphasizing regional priorities throughout the program, each session directly links leadership skills training to issues of critical importance to South Georgia:

·         Regional Identity & Influence

Includes creating a regional brand and identity for South Georgia that is recognized internally as well as externally, enhancing both perception and influence of the region across the State.

·         Workforce Development

Includes the strategic alignment of public and private sectors—business, industry, and educational partners—to address key workforce development needs and challenges; and to increase the economic viability of South Georgia.

 ·         Collective Visioning & Planning

Includes developing leaders who understand the changing South Georgia economy and culture; and recognize why it is essential to both think and act within a global context, working collaboratively to ensure the region’s success.

The purpose of Locate South GeorgiaLEADS is to develop informed, aware, and educated leaders to promote and grow South Georgia by:

·         Increasing awareness of assets and resources;

·         Creating a shared sense of regional pride and ownership in both action and solutions;

·         Strengthening partnerships and alliances; and

·         Enhancing political influence and acuity to support the needs and opportunities of South Georgia.

Tuition is $1,250 per participant, with a limited number of scholarships available.

For more information about Locate South GeorgiaLEADS, please contact Mary Beth Bass, Executive Director, One Sumter Economic Development Foundation, Inc., at 229.815.1669; or at marybeth@onesumter.org. Application materials can be found online at http://www.onesumter.org/locate-south-georgia-leads.html.

Applications are due on Friday, July 6, by the close of business.  Interested candidates may also contact their local economic development team—Chambers of Commerce and Development Authorities—for further information.

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Press Release courtesy of the Southwest Georgia Public Health District

Press Release courtesy of the Southwest Georgia Public Health District

Press Release courtesy of Phoebe Putney Health System

Albany, Ga. – During a meeting Thursday, the Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital Board of Directors approved the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Form 990 for the hospital covering the 2016 tax year.  As a not-for-profit hospital, Phoebe is required to file the form each year to give the government and the public insight into its finances and benefits to the community.

The filing shows Phoebe’s total revenue was $521,230,941, an increase of nearly $5.6M over the previous year.  The hospital’s total assets increased by 1.6% while total liabilities decreased by 3.9%, resulting in net assets of $121,675,127.

“At a time when many hospitals are facing financial crises due to lack of Medicaid expansion, significant drug cost increases and statewide nursing shortages, Phoebe continues to maintain a strong balance sheet which allows us to retain excellent credit ratings,” said Phoebe Chief Financial Officer Brian Church.  “Phoebe Board members closely watch our finances to ensure we can continue our mission for years to come.  They require our leadership team to operate the hospital wisely and have done so for generations.”

The IRS 990 filing shows that in 2017, Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital provided $60M worth of charity and indigent care to more than 9,000 patients.  The hospital also provided $5M in community benefit through programs such as Network of Trust, free community health fairs, indigent drug pharmacy, Southwest Georgia Cancer Coalition, Southwest Georgia Council on Aging, Horizons Community Health Solutions, health screening events, education of nurses and other health professionals and support of other community organizations that improve the health and welfare of citizens.

The community benefit report, prepared in accordance with the community benefit reporting guidelines established by Catholic Health Association and VHA, shows a total community benefit of $274,098,471.  That number includes unreimbursed cost of Medicaid and Medicare services.

“Since 1911, Phoebe’s mission has been to serve southwest Georgians in need of medical care, regardless of their ability to pay,” Church said.  “We remain committed to that mission and to leading and supporting innovative efforts to improve the health and wellness of people in our region.”

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Press Release courtesy of the Southwest Georgia Public Health District.