The Hospital Authority of Tift County announced that the groundbreaking ceremony for the replacement facility of Cook Medical Center will be held on Thursday, March 8.

Christopher K. Dorman, President/CEO for Tift Regional Health System, stated, “We recognize the diligent work it has taken from many groups and individuals to officially begin construction on this project. The current and future residents of Adel and Cook County can now feel secure that they have a facility to serve as an invaluable resource to receive outstanding patient care for years to come.”

The groundbreaking ceremony will be held at the construction site of the new Cook Medical Center facility, located off of Exit 37 on interstate-75. The facility will be built at the former location of the Cook County Forestry Department.

Michael Purvis, CEO for Cook Medical Center, stated, “I would like to recognize the vigilant work of the many stakeholders who have made this historic milestone possible. On behalf of Cook Medical Center, I want to extend my deepest gratitude to the Hospital Authority of Tift County for their support, insight, and vision to make this project a reality.”

“I also would like to thank the Cook County Commissioners, City of Adel, Adel Industrial Development Authority, and the Cook County Economic Development Authority for their continued support. Thank you once again for your service in allowing Cook Medical Center to continue to live out our mission of serving the health needs of the patients as well as those of the communities we serve,” Purvis said.

The replacement facility for Cook Medical Center will mirror the same services that are offered at the current facility, to include acute inpatient care, medical imaging, laboratory services, rehabilitation, endoscopy, sleep center, geriatric psychiatric care at The Sylvia Barr Center, as well as skilled nursing care at Cook Senior Living Center. The current primary care clinics, Cook Family Wellness Center and Cook Primary Care, will also have a new building housed at the replacement facility. Enhanced services will include an outpatient surgical suite. Potential surgical specialties include gastroenterology, general surgery, vascular surgery, orthopedics, podiatry and more.