SGMC Health has been recognized as the 2024 "Large Hospital of the Year" by the Georgia Alliance of Community Hospitals (GACH) during its 41st Annual Conference. SGMC Health was selected based on its proven record of innovative healthcare solutions, focus on improved patient experience, and the vital role it plays in enhancing the quality of life for South Georgians. 

“We are honored to receive this statewide recognition,” said Ronald Dean, President and Chief Executive Officer of SGMC Health. “This award reflects the hard work and dedication of our employees, medical staff and volunteers and underscores their hard work, talent and commitment to providing extraordinary healthcare services to South Georgians and neighboring Florida communities.” 

The GACH praised SGMC Health for its continuous efforts to meet the healthcare needs of South Georgia, which includes over 15 counties throughout the region. Originally a standalone hospital in Valdosta, SGMC Health has grown into a four-hospital health system with a wide-reaching impact on community health and regional economic development. 

SGMC Health’s investments in infrastructure and healthcare services have proven to be transformative. The hospital’s $150 million redevelopment of its Valdosta main campus—including a new women and infants tower, emergency department and trauma center, and a comprehensive redesign—is expected to significantly improve patient care while stimulating local economic growth. 

The ongoing $15 million expansion of the Berrien Campus further demonstrates SGMC Health’s commitment to improving healthcare for rural Georgians. This expansion, scheduled for completion in Winter 2024, will modernize the campus while more than doubling the emergency room capacity in a state-of-the-art emergency department. 

A key factor in SGMC Health’s success has been its strong culture of excellence and community leadership. By nurturing partnerships with long-standing community doctors and successfully recruiting top-tier specialists to the system, access to vital healthcare services is more accessible to residents of South Georgia and North Florida. Additionally, its relationship with Mercer University School of Medicine (MUSM) as an accredited two-year campus and affiliated residency training programs has been transformative. 

The MUSM Valdosta Clinical Campus at SGMC Health provides a unique opportunity to expand the pipeline of well-trained physicians for rural Georgia. SGMC Health’s graduate medical education programs, including its thriving internal medicine residency, will soon be joined by Transitional Year, Family Medicine, OB/GYN, and Psychiatry residencies, ensuring access to primary and specialty care is available close to home. 

In addition to its wide array of services, SGMC Health continues to prioritize community health and outreach. Initiatives such as free mammography screenings for qualifying patients, the provision of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs), and community seminars demonstrate the hospital system’s deep commitment to improving health outcomes across the region. 

The SGMC Health Foundation plays a critical role in these efforts, raising funds to support patient care through vital healthcare tools like ambulance traffic preemption devices and advanced medical equipment for cancer treatment. The Foundation's efforts ensure that even the most underserved patients receive life-saving care. 

SGMC Health Main has achieved remarkable milestones in critical care. It is one of the few hospitals in South Georgia designated as both a Level III Trauma Center and a Level I Emergency Cardiac Care Center, ensuring patients receive fast, lifesaving care in emergencies. The hospital's heart and vascular program continues to lead the region in advanced procedures, including Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) and robotic thoracic surgery, solidifying its reputation as a leader in cardiac care. 

SGMC Health’s journey to being recognizes as a High Reliability Organization (HRO) underscores its dedication to safety and quality. With a significant focus on patient and employee safety, SGMC Health is continually raising the bar for healthcare excellence, providing safer and more reliable care. 

“The SGMC Health team desires to be excellent in all we do for our patients, guests, and each other. This award is a testament to the hard work and passion of our entire team,” said Dean. “At SGMC Health, we are driven to improve the lives of all we serve, and I am pleased our team has been recognized by peer organizations for the purposeful work they do every day.”