Over the course of 2023, East Georgia Regional Medical Center played a vital role helping people get well and live healthier at more than 280,000 patient encounters across its hospital and growing network of East Georgia Medical and Surgical associates physician clinics and other outpatient sites of care.
At more than 50,000 emergency department visits each year, lifesaving medically necessary care is provided for all patients regardless of their ability to pay. Members of the community who cannot fully afford their medical care are provided deep discounts or even charity care and the hospital has resources to help them secure medications and medical support devices. Last year, East Georgia Regional Medical Center provided more than $102.4 million in charity and uncompensated care for the community’s most vulnerable.
“East Georgia Regional Medical Center plays a vital role in our community around the clock, every day of the year to help people get well and live healthier,” said Stephen Pennington, chief executive officer for East Georgia Regional Medical Center. “Regardless of holidays or challenging weather, our dedicated team of clinicians and caregivers are using their skills, experience and compassion in service to the patients who are counting on us.”
Other support for social determinants of health in the community includes financial donations for charitable organizations such as the Hearts and Hands Clinic, United Way and Safe Haven and acts of service such as the Jars of Love drive collecting peanut and other nut butters for the local food banks.
East Georgia Regional Medical Center commits its resources to expanding medical services, facilities, and technologies, ensuring patients have access to advanced care close to home. This includes significant enhancements in surgery services through recruitment of interventional pulmonology, interventional cardiac, and gastroenterology specialists. These skilled providers utilize new technologies, including robotic-assisted navigational bronchoscopy, enabling early detection of lung cancer and thereby improving both treatment outcomes and five-year survival rates.
The commitment to accessibility is evident with three new clinics within the Medical Office Building on the EGRMC campus. Recruitment of six new specialists supports comprehensive cardiac, pulmonology, gastroenterology, and urology care locally. Capital investments of more than $1.6 million have included upgrades to the surgical, radiology, and laboratory departments, including integration of new technologies such as robotic bronchoscopy, 128-slice Computed Tomography (CT scan) equipment, and advanced laboratory chemistry analyzers, all optimizing the patient experience and supporting quality, timely care.
Civic resources and services are supported by East Georgia Regional Medical Center’s tax payments of more than $7.5 million and the payroll of more than $88 million ripples across the local economy as employees buy goods and services.
Workforce development remains a priority and strong relationships with local nursing programs and
allied health education programs have supported clinical education to more than 300 regional students in 2023. Investments are being made to help team members achieve their personal and professional goals through assistance with student loan repayments, as well as tuition reimbursement.
Pennington continued, “The vital care we provide is only one part of the broad impact we have that adds up to more than $211 million last year. We recognize that our services are essential to this community and we are committed to doing all we can to provide quality health care and make Statesboro and Bulloch County a healthier, better community for all.”
