People living in and around Braselton will have expanded access toemergency care starting in 2026, thanks in part to funds raised through the Northeast Georgia Health System (NGHS) Foundation’s annual Cheryl Shippey Memorial golf tournament. The tournament held last month at Legends at Chateau Elan raised more than $300,000, with funds going to support the expansion of the emergency department at Northeast Georgia Medical Center (NGMC) Braselton.
The tournament is named in honor and memory of Cheryl Shippey, an NGHS Foundation employee who died unexpectedly in March 2023. She was well-known in the Braselton community for her work and was instrumental in the creation of the tournament.
“We are proud to honor Cheryl in this way,” said Chris Bray, NGHS Foundation president and chief philanthropy officer. “Her passion for the health of her community lives on through this tournament.”
NGMC Braselton opened in 2015 with an emergency department designed to handle 25,000 visits a year, but annual visits have more than doubled in less than a decade as the population around the hospital continues to boom. Construction is already underway to double the size of the emergency department, taking it from 23 treatment rooms to 46. The expansion is expected to be complete in 2026.
The tournament was presented in partnership with Jackson EMC and drew 120 golfers. The winning team for the fourth year in a row was from Mall of Georgia Ford.
“It’s amazing to see so many people come together for our community,” said Chauntelle Steines, chairwoman of the golf committee. “Knowing that our neighbors and friends will get even better emergency care because of this support is tremendous.”
- Daune Davis
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To donate or learn more about the NGHS Foundation, its events and other ways to support, visit nghs.com/foundation.
About NGMC
Since 1951, Northeast Georgia Medical Center (NGMC) has been on a mission of improving the health of our community in all we do. With hospitals located in Gainesville, Braselton, Winder, Dahlonega and Demorest, the five NGMC campuses have a total of more than 1,000 beds and more than 1,500 medical staff members representing more than 60 specialties. NGMC is part of Northeast Georgia Health System, a non-profit that cares for more than one million people across more than 19 counties. Learn more at nghs.com.
About NGHS
Founded in 1986, the Northeast Georgia Health System Foundation has contributed millions of dollars to health system improvements, complementary programs and partner organizations throughout the region. In an effort to further the mission of improving the health of the community in all that we do, donations to the Foundation help support innovation and enhancements at all five of Northeast Georgia Medical Center’s community hospitals, as well as many health initiatives of the system. It is truly through the generosity of friends and neighbors that many critical, life-saving projects, improvements and patient care services are available today. For more information, visit nghs.com/foundation.