The Medical Center Foundation
Healthy Journey II

A three-year $10 million dollar fundraising campaign to improve the health of our community.

Digital Mammography - $1.5 million

One in eight women will develop breast cancer in her lifetime, but survival rates increase when the disease is diagnosed and treated at an early stage. Digital mammography, the latest weapon in the fight against breast cancer, helps improve the ability to accurately detect breast cancer at the earliest stages, when it’s most treatable. This new technology also allows for shorter exam times, which saves time and anxiety for the patient during what can be an extremely disconcerting time. Funding for this initiative will be used to purchase four state-of-the-art digital mammography units to replace all existing film mammography equipment at NGMC, as well as upgrade the storage capacity in the Imaging Center’s filmless Picture Archiving Communication System.

Healing Garden - $500,000

The Healing Garden will serve as a therapeutic outdoor retreat for patients and family members visiting NGMC. The garden will be constructed in conjunction with the new North Patient Tower. This project will be possible only if funding is provided by a donor.

Hospice - $1.3 million

Hospice of NGMC provides compassionate palliative care for terminally ill patients, allowing them to spend their last days at home surrounded by their loved ones. In addition to indigent families, many middle-income families face desperate financial situations during the terminal phase of illness. Funding helps meet Hospice patients’ essential living needs, as well as provide funding for social services and bereavement programs for their families. The NGMC Auxiliary has committed $150,000 of the amount needed to fund Hospice services.

American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life - $30,000

NGHS employees generously support the local American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life to help fight cancer through support of research and community education.

Cardiac Rehabilitation - $900,000

To address the growing demand for services related to post-inpatient cardiac care at NGMC, funding will support expansion of outpatient Cardiac Rehabilitation at Sherwood Plaza. The new location provides a more convenient and accessible facility with enhanced patient services.

daVinci Surgical Robotics System - $500,000

To remain on the cutting-edge, NGMC cardiologists and surgeons continue to seek state-of-the-art cardiology treatment options for open heart surgery patients. The daVinci Surgical Robotics System will provide innovative robotic surgery options for cardiac patients right here at home. The physician cardiac surgery team has partnered with the Foundation and agreed to a matching gift by way of raising half the funds needed for this $1.2 million robotic system.

American Heart Association’s Heart Walk - $37,000

NGHS employees generously support the local American Heart Association’s Heart Walk, which raises funds for cardiac research and community education.

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit - $2.4 million
Since 1996, pre-term and sick infants born at Northeast Georgia Medical Center have been given a fighting chance at life through the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Feeding tubes, ventilators, isolettes, oxygen monitors and intense medical care are needed to take care of these babies, which require adequate space. An expansion and renovation of the NICU will increase the square footage from 4,036 sq. ft. to 9,400 sq. ft., allowing the unit to accommodate a minimum of 26 infants at a time, an increase from their current 13 infant capacity. Funding for this project will also provide for an additional transitional care room for parents to use in preparation for taking their infant home for the first time. The NICU expansion project will be housed in the new Women and Children’s Pavilion and will allow more families to remain near their infants while they receive the critical care needed to prevail in the biggest fight of their lives.

Women’s Imaging - $250,000

NGMC is committed to developing a state-of-the-art Outpatient Imaging Center, which will contain the latest advances in diagnostic equipment offered in a patient-friendly environment. As part of this facility, there will be a separate Women’s Center offering digital mammography, breast MRI, ultrasound and bone density studies. Funding from the Healthy Journey II campaign will be used to create an environment in the Women’s Center that meets the needs of female patients in a comfortable, attractive surrounding, while maintaining a high level of privacy.

Pediatrics - $333,000

Any parent who has spent the night in the hospital with their child knows the importance of a home-like setting. Funding from the Healthy Journey II campaign will support renovations to the Pediatric area, including the refurbishment of patient rooms, rooftop play area, and the parents’ lounge, as well as the installation of an aquarium at the entrance to the Pediatric unit.

SAFE KIDS - $400,000

Preventable injuries are the number one killer of children ages 14 and under in the United States. Since 1997, NGMC has served as the lead agency for the Gainesville/Hall County SAFE KIDS Coalition, which has won state and national awards including National Outstanding Lead Agency Award. By educating parents, caregivers and kids about potential risk of injury and ways to avoid injury, SAFE KIDS works to lower the number and severity of injuries to children in our community. NGMC has seen a documented decline in children’s injuries treated in the hospital’s emergency room thanks in part to SAFE KIDS’ efforts. Funding will support growth of injury prevention efforts.

March of Dimes’ Walk America - $18,000

NGHS employees generously support the local March of Dimes’ WalkAmerica, which raises funds for community education and research to prevent birth defects and related problems of low birth weight and infant mortality.

Getting Older & Better - $21,000

Funding will support the annual Getting Older and Better Workshop, which focuses on a different healthcare topic each year. The NGMC Auxiliary has committed to fully sponsor this educational workshop.

Nursing & Allied Health Scholarships and Continuing Education - $400,000

To help address the current nursing and allied health professionals* shortage crisis, funding for scholarships will enable a dedicated effort by NGMC to recruit college students in clinical education programs as well as retain current staff by providing them with continuing education opportunities. In both programs, individuals will work at NGMC in lieu of repaying the actual dollars provided for education.

Hall County Medical Society’s Health Access Initiative (HAI) - $216,000

Health Access Initiative (HAI), a project of the Hall County Medical Society, provides appropriate access to healthcare services for uninsured adults at or below 150 percent of the federal poverty level who are not eligible for other programs and cannot afford medical care. HAI is not a new service provider, but rather an effort to better link community resources and services already in place (Good News Clinics, Health Department, NGMC Emergency Rooms, physician offices) and provide structure within which more physicians can volunteer their time and talent. Funding provides seed money for this worthy project. The 2004 Medical Center Open raised over $150,000 of the total needed to fund this project.

Good News Clinics - $1,000,000

Founded in 1992, the Good News Clinics is a Christian ministry that provides medical and dental care to the indigent and uninsured population at no charge. Approximately 30 physicians and 44 dentists volunteer on a rotating basis, providing acute medical care, lifestyle modification education, dental care, needed medicines and specialist consultation. Funding through Healthy Journey II helps provide medications, medical supplies, lab services and free prescription drug dispensary services.

Nurse Line - $189,000

Funding supports start-up costs associated with the implementation of a dedicated nurse phone line managed through the hospital’s Emergency Room. Registered nurses provide medical information over the phone based on approved medical protocols, providing the community with access to fast and efficient healthcare questions and answers. The NGMC Auxiliary has committed to fully sponsor this vital addition to ER services, which is already in service.

Lifeline - $99,000

The Medical Center’s Lifeline emergency response system allows people to continue living independently in their homes with the security of knowing they can quickly access help if they need it. Funding will provide for replacement of existing units and the purchase of additional units. The NGMC Auxiliary has committed to fully fund this quality of life enhancement for seniors in our region.

The Annual Medical Center Open Golf Tournament Beneficiaries- $450,000

Healthy Journey II funds three community health improvement projects through the annual Medical Center Open golf tournaments over three years. Since 1997, The Medical Center Open has raised more than $1.1 million for community projects that address specific health improvement needs in our community. In addition, the tournament unites area businesses, civic organizations, agencies and individuals to improve the health of Northeast Georgia.