New hospital ready to serve Lumpkin County

The beginning of a new era kicked off earlier this week for residents of Dahlonega as the long-awaited Northeast Georgia Medical Center Lumpkin opened its doors for the first time.
Anyone now needing emergency care in the area should go to the new location on GA-400 just south of the Highway 60 intersection.
The new 66,000-square-foot facility replaces the old medical facility on the hill in town, known to residents several years ago as Chestatee Regional.
At a well-attended grand opening event on Saturday, local favorite Kurt Thomas and his band waited their turn to entertain the crowd.
But first, Carol Burrell, President and CEO of Northeast Georgia Health Systems, stepped to the microphone to welcome everyone and express her excitement for the completion of the new facility.
Burrell thanked the elected representatives in attendance, including State Sen. Steve Gooch and State Rep. Will Wade, plus several representatives from the County and City.
Speaking to the crowd on a windy but sunny afternoon, Burrell said NGHS has served the area for decades, having opened the hospital in Gainesville about 70 years ago.
She said they bought the new property in 2013, hoping that one day NGHS would be part of the Lumpkin community.
Between that time and the present day opening of the new location, the COVID pandemic affected the timeline, and the community also saw the temporary closing, then re-opening of the old hospital.
Also taking the stage was Kevin Matson, Northeast Georgia Health System’s Vice President of Regional Hospitals.
Matson told the large crowd of visitors about many of the important services the new hospital will offer patients.
According to information released this week by NGHS, these will include round-the-clock emergency care, inpatient care, lab and pharmacy support, on-site imaging, orthopedic surgery and advanced surgery.
While speaking to the assemblage, Sen. Gooch surveyed the new hospital and expressed his appreciation.
“We are blessed to have Northeast Georgia Health System in our community,” he said. “They are one of the top hospital organizations in the country.”
Gooch pointed out that NGHS has invested $70 million in the new facility.
“This industry will bring much economic prosperity to the community,” he said. “Great things will happen to this area because of this hospital.”
Gooch also took time to recognize the efforts of first responders.
“Quality healthcare doesn’t just start here, he said. “It starts with the local emergency rescue personnel, the sheriff’s office, and others.”
Following the ceremony, Gooch told The Nugget he expects the new hospital to have a significant regional impact, as it will serve Lumpkin, White, Dawson and other counties.
“With over 50 acres here, this facility is designed to grow outward,” he said. “And the structure is reinforced so that they can build upward as well.”

RURAL HOSPITALS

Standing under the high ceiling of the new hospital’s foyer, Gooch said a hospital is the hub of the community.
He pointed out that prospective businesses always ask about certain things, especially the education system, and what kind of healthcare is available in the local community.
Gooch said that although Lumpkin is able to celebrate the opening of this new healthcare facility, it is still a challenging time for many rural hospitals in nearby areas.
“I grew up in this community and Chestatee Regional Hospital struggled,” he said.
Gooch said that when the old hospital closed, he told then-governor Nathan Deal “We’ve got to do something to save it.”
He said that’s when key leaders such as the governor, then-UNG president Bonita Jacobs, UNG Senior Vice President for Business and Finance Mac McConnell and many others came together to find a way to re-open the hospital in Dahlonega with the university purchasing the property and NGMC holding a long-term lease.

LOOKING AHEAD

The region is at a tipping point, Gooch said.
“For a few decades we tried to get Northeast Georgia Health System to come to Lumpkin,” he said. “People were trying to retire here. So, having quality healthcare is important for attracting quality growth.”
He said having a good hospital is an integral part of creating the kind of community people want to live in.
“It took us 24 years to get a grocery store," Gooch said. “The new Publix coming here is related to the new hospital. All the pieces are coming together.  The City and the County are doing a good job.”
But Gooch cautioned that he is careful about the kind of growth that happens here.
“I never want Lumpkin County to resemble North Atlanta. That’s why we have proper land use plans.  And they have to be updated.  This creates good clean industry here so our children don’t have to leave the local community to find work,” he said. “I’d rather see this growth on the GA400 corridor than in downtown Dahlonega.”
The new Lumpkin location brings the number of Northeast Georgia Medical Center campuses to five, including Braselton, Winder, Demorest and Gainesville.