Northeast Georgia Medical Center (NGMC) Braselton, the state’s first net-new hospital in almost 20 years, is now open to care for patients – and the first two were already treated this morning.
Hall County EMS arrived with the first unplanned patient to the Emergency Department at 7:10 a.m., which was shortly after Mary Forman fell at an assisted living community. She was examined by Todd Jordan, MD, an emergency medicine physician and medical director of NGMC Braselton’s Emergency Department. Forman underwent a CT scan, and she was treated and released around 8:45 a.m.
NGMC Braselton’s first surgery patient, 50-year-old Lisa Baker, registered for surgery at 7 a.m. She underwent an advanced hip replacement surgery – called anterior approach hip replacement – that allows patients to walk again, and potentially go home, the same day. Charlie DeCook, MD, an orthopedic surgeon with The Longstreet Clinic, performed the successful procedure.
“I went to the doctor four weeks ago thinking I had injured my muscle playing tennis, and I was referred to Dr. DeCook because the problem was more serious,” says Baker. “I cannot wait to enjoy days without pain and get back on the tennis court! I’m thrilled I was able to have this amazing surgery at Northeast Georgia Medical Center Braselton, which is closest to my home in Dacula.”
NGMC Braselton leadership hopes progressive procedures, like anterior approach hip replacement, help make the new 100-bed hospital a destination for orthopedic care. In fact, orthopedics is just one of the many services modeled around the nationally-recognized programs Northeast Georgia Health System built at its flagship hospital, NGMC Gainesville. These also include other advanced surgery and medical services, emergency services, heart and vascular services, cancer treatment and neurosciences.
“We’re excited to start this new era for Northeast Georgia Health System and serve the community in and around Greater Braselton,” says Anthony Williamson, president of NGMC Braselton. “It’s been a smooth first morning, and that’s due to more than a decade of planning that led to this historic day.”
An estimated 5,000 people previewed the new hospital during a public Open House Celebration last Sunday, March 29. The emergency room, patient rooms, operating rooms, imaging suite, catheterization labs and many other areas of the hospital were open for guests to tour and learn about the services, technology and equipment. Area first responders were also on-site with ambulances, fire trucks and a helicopter in a “Touch an Emergency Vehicle Zone” for kids. Free food and treats were provided by the hospital’s café, Café 1400, and the first 1,000 attendees received a free tree seedling to commemorate the event.
“This is an exciting time for the people in south Hall, Barrow, Gwinnett and Jackson Counties and beyond,” says Carol Burrell, president and CEO of Northeast Georgia Health System. “And it’s already been a banner year for our Health System, with one hospital – NGMC Gainesville – rated #1 in the state and #2 in the nation, and now our second hospital opening its doors. We can’t wait to see what happens next.”
Watch video and see pictures of NGMC Braselton, get driving directions and learn more at www.nghs.com/braselton.