The SGMC Health Foundation announces the naming of the Joyce Aigen Labor and Delivery Unit at SGMC Health, honoring Ms. Joyce Aigen and her lasting impact on family and community. This meaningful recognition has been made possible through the generosity of her family, led by Judy Hathcock, who chose to celebrate her mother’s love of family and devotion to others in a place where new life begins every day.

The Joyce Aigen Labor and Delivery Unit will play a vital role in the new Stalvey Women & Infants Center, a transformative space designed to support mothers, newborns, and families during some of life’s most important moments. Scheduled to open in January 2027, the center will provide a modern, patient-centered environment for prenatal care, labor and delivery, neonatal services, and postpartum recovery. Designed with families in mind, it will feature expanded clinical spaces, advanced technology, and dedicated teams focused on safety, comfort, and compassionate care at every stage. The comprehensive center is designed to accommodate up to 3,000 births each year, ensuring the capacity to meet the growing needs of families across the region.

“We are deeply grateful to Judy Hathcock and her family for this meaningful gift,” said Hilary Gibbs, Senior Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer. “Joyce Aigen is a true ambassador for SGMC Health and a passionate advocate for preventative medicine, always showing her support by attending community events and championing our mission. It is especially fitting to honor her in this space, as she cherishes her role as a grandmother and great-grandmother and loves nothing more than celebrating the joy of new babies. It is a privilege to recognize her through a unit where so many families will experience life’s most meaningful moments.”

This generous gift is part of the SGMC Health Foundation’s $25 million Groundbreaking Growth capital campaign, an initiative focused on expanding access to care and enhancing services for the communities we serve. To date, the Foundation has raised more than $20 million toward this goal, reflecting the strong support of donors committed to advancing healthcare across South Georgia. As a cornerstone of the region’s vitality, SGMC Health contributes more than $1.6 billion annually to the local economy while supporting the well-being of the communities it serves through care, job creation, and community development.

At the heart of this vision is a $150 million investment in SGMC Health’s main campus. In addition to the new Stalvey Women & Infants Center, the project includes a new Emergency and Trauma Center and a comprehensive campus redesign focused on improving access, enhancing wayfinding, and creating a more welcoming environment for patients and visitors. Together, these improvements will expand capacity, elevate the patient experience, and ensure high-quality care remains close to home for communities across the region.

“The Joyce Aigen Labor and Delivery Unit will serve as a place of hope, care, and new beginnings,” said Hilary Willis, Executive Director of the SGMC Health Foundation. “Through this recognition, her legacy will continue to touch lives and celebrate the importance of family for years to come.”

The SGMC Health Foundation invites individuals, families, and community partners to support its mission of building a healthier South Georgia.

For more information or to make a gift, visit foundation.sgmc.org or call 229-433-1071.