SGMC Health Berrien Unveils New $15 Million Emergency Department: A Beacon for Rural Healthcare

SGMC Health leadership, physicians, local and state legislators, and Berrien County community leaders celebrate the opening of the SGMC Health Berrien expansion and emergency room.

On December 10, 2024, SGMC Health celebrated a milestone hospital expansion with a ribbon cutting opening its new $15 million Emergency Department in Nashville, Georgia. The state-of-the-art, 26,000-square-foot expansion was revealed to Berrien County community leaders, healthcare professionals, and legislators, heralding a new era of advanced care for Berrien County and surrounding communities.

This landmark project replaces the original four-room emergency department with a modern nine-room emergency facility. Enhanced features include larger trauma and specialty care rooms, advanced monitoring systems, and improved support spaces. With a growing number of patients treated in the Berrien ER last year, the expansion is poised to meet future demands while delivering top-tier care.

"Our hospital expansion and new Emergency Department is a significant investment in the health and well-being of the residents of Berrien County and the surrounding communities," said Ronald E. Dean, President and CEO of SGMC Health. "Through the support of our community leaders, dedicated employees, volunteers, generous donors, and medical staff this new, fully equipped facility will serve South Georgians with advanced capabilities for decades to come."

The Vital Role of Rural Hospitals

The ribbon-cutting ceremony underscored the essential role of rural hospitals in the healthcare landscape. Since opening its doors in 1965, SGMC Health Berrien has been a cornerstone of its community, adapting to meet evolving healthcare needs. Beyond patient care, SGMC Health Berrien significantly contributes to the local economy, supporting hundreds of jobs and generating $24 million in economic impact to the county annually.

Nationwide, rural hospitals face significant challenges. According to data from the National Rural Health Association, more than 140 rural hospitals have closed in the United States since 2010, and over 600 are at risk of closure. In Georgia alone, the Georgia Hospital Association reports that nearly 40% of rural hospitals operate at a financial loss. These closures not only reduce access to care but also disrupt local economies, eliminating jobs and essential services.

"This expansion not only enhances the quality of care available to our residents, but it also improves the quality of life and strengthens the economic foundation of Berrien County," shared Nashville City Manager Hayden Hancock who also Chairs the SGMC Health Foundation Board of Trustees and serves on the Berrien Advisory Committee.

A Community Effort

SGMC Health Berrien's new Emergency Department exemplifies how community support can fortify rural healthcare. A sizable portion of the project was funded through individuals and businesses who chose to redirect their state tax dollars to the Berrien campus through the Georgia HEART Hospital Tax Credit program. This statewide initiative has been a lifeline for many rural healthcare facilities in Georgia, enabling them to modernize infrastructure and enhance patient care.

Additionally, leadership-level gifts, along with contributions from countless generous donors, have played a vital role in making SGMC Health's new rural ER a reality. Notable supporters include the Loretha and Paul Thiele Charitable Trust, the Morrison Family in memory of Andy and Mary Carrell Morrison, Buck and Nancy Pegg, along with Ed Perry and his family.

"Every gift, large or small, has been instrumental in advancing access to quality healthcare for rural Georgians," shared Hilary Gibbs, SGMC Health Vice President of Support Services and Chief Development Officer. "This new ER is a beacon of hope and healing, and we are deeply grateful for all who support the dedicated physicians and staff who will walk these halls, offering care and compassion to those in need."

A Brighter Future for Rural Healthcare

SGMC Health Chairman of the Board Sam Allen said, "This new Emergency Department is more than a building-it is a lifeline for those needing accessible and high-quality healthcare. SGMC Health is committed to improving the lives of all we serve, especially those who live in rural communities."

In addition to emergency services, SGMC Health Berrien offers a comprehensive suite of medical care, including inpatient and outpatient services, 3-D mammography, a geriatric psychiatric unit, pulmonary rehabilitation and a substance abuse center. The hospital's expansion sets the stage for decades of continued service, ensuring its role as a pillar of health and well-being for the community it serves.

Georgia State Representative Penny Houston shared her gratitude, "This is a gift to our community that would not have been possible without the time, talent, and treasures of so many. SGMC Health has given the people of our area and of Berrien County better health for the future and for that I am so proud."

For more information about SGMC Health Berrien and its services, visit sgmc.org.

About SGMC Health

SGMC Health is the most comprehensive health system serving South Georgia and North Florida. SGMC Health operates four hospitals across Lowndes, Berrien, and Lanier counties. The system also operates ambulance services, an extensive medical office network, a cancer center, hospice facility, retirement center, skilled nursing facility, imaging centers and urgent cares. Service lines of regional prominence include heart and vascular, stroke, trauma, cancer, surgery, and women and infants.

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