Georgia Trend recently released its list of 2020 Top Hospitals in Georgia, and Emanuel Medical Center (EMC) was at the top, named #1 of medium-sized hospitals (hospitals with 100-249 beds) in the state. To compile the list, Georgia Trend evaluated each hospital that participated in the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) Hospital Value Based Purchasing program.
“This ranking by Georgia Trend Magazine is an incredible honor for the EMC team. Despite the many challenges of 2020, we are excited to have earned the CMS 5-Star rating and the #1 Georgia Trend medium-sized hospital award. Our vision is to be the preferred choice for healthcare services in Emanuel County and surrounding areas. These awards tell the community that we are serious about providing high quality healthcare. Our community should feel confident in using Emanuel Medical Center for their healthcare needs,” said Damien Scott, PT MBA MS OCS; Chief Executive Officer, Emanuel Medical Center.
This year, Covid-19 has caused establishments in every part of the state to rethink their approach to operating, especially hospitals. Scott had encouraging words to say on the way EMC has handled the virus.
“Covid-19 has changed our lives dramatically,” Scott said. “As of this writing, EMC has performed 5,301 Covid-19 tests with 846 confirmed positives. At our peak in August, EMC had 18 hospitalized Covid-19 patients. In total, we have had over 120 Covid-19 inpatients. The community should be very proud of the partnership we formed with Augusta University (AU). Using telemedicine, our physicians work with a team of critical care physicians at AU to deliver evidence-based care to our patients. This means that patients can receive AU-level expertise locally.”
EMC, whose mission Scott said is “to help the people of Emanuel County and surrounding areas live healthier and happier lives,” has been providing top care to families in Emanuel County and surrounding areas since 1952. The healthcare team consists of approximately 450 employees and more than 40 physicians representing a wide range of specialties. They offer a 24-hour physician staff emergency department, outpatient services including same-day surgery and ambulatory care, nursing home facility, Senior Behavioral Health Unit, critical care unit and an imaging department including nuclear medicine, MRI, CT and scans.
“The EMC team views serving those that are physically and/or mentally ill or injured as their primary calling,” Scott said. “We strive to do what we do a little bit better each day. We are not perfect, but we are a collection of people who are passionate about healthcare. This community does not just need a health system, they need a high-quality, effective healthcare entity that delivers evidence-based care AND is financially strong. Unfortunately, two Georgia rural hospitals closed in the last two months. Not only does this community need this health system, but the health system NEEDS this community. “
Scott provided an example to illustrate how the partnership between EMC and the community has benefitted the community.
“Today, women in Emanuel County have access to the Fuji Cristale 3D Mammography,” Scott said. “This service IS state of the art and equal to any technology in Georgia. Emanuel Medical Center was able to purchase this unit because of the generous donors who participated in the Georgia Rural Hospital Tax Credit. It is not too late to participate in this incredible program! If interested, please call Carmen Tanner at 478-289-1274.”
