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Click Here to View A Video of WALB's Newscast
WALB Channel 10 (Albany) news anchor Karla Heath Sands was the keynote speaker for Phoebe Sumter's 1st Annual Women's Health Conference. To view her inspiring message to more than 600 women, click on the following links (it is in three parts):  Click Here to View Part One of VideoClick Here to View Part Two of VideoClick Here to View Part Three of Video
Two Citizens Bank of Americus executives recently took advantage of an opportunity to see first-hand the progress of the support buildings at the Phoebe Sumter Construction Site. Charlene Pennymon, Assistant Vice President and Vicki Crew, Vice President, took a tour of the construction site with hospital personnel and were able to take pictures and ask questions about both the support buildings and the future hospital. 
PHOTO: Here, Pennymon and Crew pose near the upcoming Women's and Family Health Center. This building, as well as the two other support buildings (Oncology & Surgery Center; Wellness & Education Center) are expected to be up and operational by the end of this year. A brand new, four-story, 76-bed hospital is scheduled to be finished by the end of 2011. If you would like to schedule a tour, please call (229) 924-6011 and ask for the Marketing & PR Department. For all the latest hospital news, please go to www.phoebesumter.org.
Posted 05/26/2010 On Thursday, May 27th, the famous Schwan's truck will make its way to Phoebe Sumter and will be located near the front entrance from 11 am to 7 pm. You will have an opportunity to purchase all of the products that Schwan's is famous for, such as cheese biscuits, ice cream and other desserts to name a few! A portion of these proceeds will be donated to the March of Dimes by way of Phoebe Sumter Medical Center, and people in the community are welcomed to shop as well! Please mark your calendars and help support the March of Dimes!
Click Here to View Video of Pope's Visit
Today was an exciting day at Phoebe Sumter Medical Center as it unveiled its new MRI machine to the community. The all-new 1.5T MAGNETOM ESSENZA utilizes exclusive Tim (Total imaging matrix) technology which provides faster and more comfortable exams for patients. In addition, it helps gives physicians greater diagnostic confidence by providing them with detailed images. The hospital's new MRI was donated by Siemens after an impressive showing in a 2007 online contest. Phoebe Sumter Medical Center (then known as Sumter Regional Hospital) was able to garner thousands of votes from people all across the nation and world, including an important vote of confidence from Former 1st Lady Rosalynn Carter, which compelled Siemens to award the hospital with this state-of-the-art, $800,000 piece of equipment. 
Photo: Here, Wendy Kleckley, RTR (Radiology Technology Registered), prepares one of the first patients for scanning using the new MRI. Phoebe Sumter will have a Ribbon Cutting & Open House ceremony on Friday, June 4th at 10 am. The public is invited to attend and to see the new MRI and all of its capabilities. For more information, please call (229) 924-6011 and ask for Marketing & PR.
Click Here to View Video of Health Conference
1st Annual Phoebe Sumter Medical Center Women's Health Conference....Click Here to View All Photos from Last Week's Event.
Americus native, former UGA star and current Kansas City Chief Leonard Pope visited his hometown hospital today and was able to see some old friends. Pope toured the current Phoebe Sumter Medical Center's interim facility and greeted both employees and patients alike. "I remember a lot of faces from the times I have been here in the past," said Pope, who was born at Phoebe Sumter Medical Center (formerly known as Sumter Regional Hospital) and has been a staunch supporter of the hospital since it was destroyed by a tornado on March 1, 2007. "It is always good to come back and see friendly faces, and I am glad to see that plans for the new facility our on track." 
Photo: Pope poses with Phoebe Sumter Emergency Room employees Pope was also on hand to announce a partnership with his C.H.A.M.P. foundation (Creating Hope And Making Progress) and the hospital for his upcoming Kids Day. "The NFL has a program in place that stresses the importance of kids getting out of the house and getting active (The NFL at 60), and I wanted to use that as a basis for my annual Fun Day here in Americus," said Pope, who helped lead Americus High School to two state football titles before having an all-star career for UGA. "We will still have fun, but there will be a lot of activities for the kids to keep them moving and help them work up a sweat. The key is to keep them active and help turn the tide of childhood obesity that is a problem nationwide, but especially in the South." 
Photo: Pope poses with local children outside of Phoebe Sumter Medical Center "Phoebe Sumter Medical Center is excited to partner with Leonard to help fight childhood obesity and promote overall children's health," said Marcus Johnson, Director of Marketing & PR at Phoebe Sumter. "Helping kids become more active will lead to healthier lifestyles down the road, and that is something that we all want to do because it will help the children live healthier and more productive lives. Phoebe Sumter will offer health screenings and other information during the event, and we hope that other organizations will join in as well." Pope's Kids Day will be held on Saturday, June 26th at the Sumter County Fairgrounds in Americus. For more information, call (229) 942-5173.
Posted 05/19/2010 PLEASE NOTE THE CHANGE OF DATE OF THE RIBBON CUTTING. IT HAS BEEN CHANGED FROM THURSDAY, JUNE 3rd to FRIDAY, JUNE 4th The wait is finally over. Phoebe Sumter Medical Center has received the MRI that was donated by Siemens in 2008 after the hospital's (then known as Sumter Regional Hospital) strong showing in an online contest. People from all across the country voted for Sumter Regional after the hospital was destroyed by a F3 tornado on March 1, 2007, and Siemens was so compelled by the level of support the hospital received that it decided to donate a $800,000 MRI. The new Magneton Essenza MR scanner recently arrived at Phoebe Sumter Medical Center and is expected to operational in the next week or so. There will be a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on Friday, June 4th at 10 am at the hospital, and the public is invited to attend. "This MRI is a testament to our community, and everyone across the country and the world who voted for us to win," said Phoebe Sumter CEO Keith Petersen. "We want to invite everyone out to see the new MRI as we continue to move forward in meeting the healthcare needs of our citizens."
Posted 05/18/2010 Felicia Hinton takes a proactive role in Sumter County. She's not only a full-time registered nurse in the medical and surgical department at Phoebe Sumter Medical Center (PSMC), but she also volunteers with the schools in Sumter County, where she encourages children to live healthful lives. Before the tornado in 2007 destroyed Sumter Regional Hospital, Hinton was a nurse in the pediatrics department there - she said she enjoys helping children the most. Whenever her department receives a child, they assign Hinton to the patient. Hinton's been working with the hospital for 12 years, and as a nurse for 11. She was still in nursing school at Georgia Southwestern State University (GSW) for a year when she got a job as a nurse technician during her first year at the hospital. Hinton said she just knew she wanted to be either a nurse or a teacher growing up. At GSW, an advisor told her she should go into nursing, in that case, because she could be a teacher and still be a nurse. "So, it was the best of both worlds," Hinton said. "That's when I decided to go into nursing." And she's loved it ever since. "It's not about the pay check for me," Hinton said. "It's about doing whatever needs to be done to help people - and to help them be able to live a healthier lifestyle. It's about my community. It's good. I love it. It's all I ever wanted all in one." Even though Hinton loves her job, there is one downfall. "Nobody likes to see someone die," Hinton said. "It's really the saddest part. But I've learned it's the most help to encourage and comfort family members during the process - that helps in the healing process. But I have to hype myself up - I'm a bucket of water myself. When I see someone crying, I start. But, helping the family is the most important part." And her colleagues help her through the tough times. "We're like an extended family," Hinton said. "We're always helping each other out. I'm lucky to work with such great people!" She helps out her colleagues when she can, and her colleagues help her out when they can - Hinton has a 10-year-old, Tameia, who is a fourth-grader at Sarah Cobb Elementary School and a 5-year-old, Brooklyn, who is in pre-K at Cherokee Elementary School - and there've been several times when she's had to trade shifts to attend school functions. But it works - her colleagues are always understanding. "With band, dance and swimming, sometimes it gets kind of crazy," Hinton said. Since she works 12-hour shifts, sometimes it's hard for parents to deal with family and being a nurse, Hinton said. But since Hinton has a great husband, Alex, and wonderful parents, James and Ilene Finch, who live in Americus, everyone helps out. Hinton begins her shift at 7 a.m., but has time to walk her children to the bus stop every morning since the bus comes at about 6:45 a.m., and Hinton lives close to the hospital. Hinton gets off work at 7:30 p.m., and comes home and takes a walk with her children after work. She alternates between working three and four days a week. And, on her days off, she tries to have lunch with her children when she can - and donates her time to the schools, as well. "My husband says I'm a great mom," Hinton said, laughing. Hinton donated her time Saturday at the Women's Health Fair on GSW's campus, where she drew blood from women. Hinton has her four-year degree from GSW, and would eventually like to go back to school to get her master's degree, but isn't sure when she'll do so. She and the rest of the PSMC nurses were honored during National Nursing Week, which was May 6 -12 with stethoscopes and a popcorn and ice cream party. The nurses were also allowed to wear jeans to work. Hinton and the rest of the PSMC staff were also honored during National Hospital Week, which ran from May 9-15. PSMC had an employee picnic and bags filled with goodies. The hospital also had a contest to see which of the departments had the most spirit during Hospital Week. Hinton and her team were one of the winners who showed the most spirit - and they got a pizza party. "It was neat," Hinton said. Hinton dressed in Americus Panthers colors.
Posted 05/17/2010 It was all about the ladies in Americus today as more than 600 women were on hand for Phoebe Sumter's 1st Annual Women's Health Conference, which was held at the Student Success Center on the campus of Georgia Southwestern State University. The theme of the event was "Love Your Heart", to help raise awareness about heart disease, which is the #1 killer of women in the United States. It also culminated a week-long celebration of National Hospital Week by Phoebe Sumter Medical Center. "We had 500 men that attending our 1st Annual Men's Conference last September, and it is good to see that the ladies were able to better that number," said Marcus Johnson, Director of Marketing & Public Relations at Phoebe Sumter Medical Center. "You never know how many people are going to show up, so to have that many women from our community and neighboring counties is a really good thing and we definitely appreciate the support." After a welcome by PSMC CEO Keith Petersen, attendees of this event took part in the free diagnostic screenings (glucose, cholesterol, etc.), received information from more than 16 vendors and had their choice of 8 breakout sessions: Turning up the Heat/Menopause (Francis Rawlins, FNP); Migraines (Ajay Kothari, MD); Heart Health (Wallace Mays, MD); Diabetes (Michael Busman, MD); Breast Health (Rebecca Craig, MD); Sex after Stroke (Fleming Burroughs, MD), a Nutrition/Cooking Demo by the Phoebe Putney and Phoebe Sumter Nutritional Departments and a Super Women (stress management) panel discussion that was led by South Georgia Technical College vice president Robbie Latimore and long-time educator Connie Blanchard. 
The ladies were also treated to a free breakfast and lunch and ended the day with an inspiring message from WALB Channel 10 newscaster Karla Heath Sands. Mrs. Sands spoke about her bout with diabetes (of which she has a family history), the challenges of being a full-time working wife and mother. She told the crowd that they must take care of themselves "and learn sometimes to say no". 
"We want to thank all the ladies for coming out, and we also want to thank our sponsors and more than 100 volunteers that helped make this event run smoothly," said Johnson, who wanted to give a special thank you to event emcee Tammy Pettyjohn-Jones. "Karla did a great job and was very inspiring, and I think everyone who came left with a little knowledge about their health and how to make their lives a little less stressful. It was a great start for this annual event, and we can't wait until next year when we plan on having this conference in our brand new Wellness and Education Center at the new Phoebe Sumter Medical Plaza." Click Here to View All Photos from the 1st Annual Women's Health Conference For all the latest news, including updates on construction, please go to www.phoebesumter.org.
Surge, Georgia Southwestern State University's new mascot, recently visited Phoebe Sumter's construction site. Phoebe Sumter is Surge's primary sponsor and he will appear at a number of hospital sponsored events, including the upcoming Women's Health Conference this Saturday, May 15th. 
Here, Surge shakes hands with Marcus Johnson, Director of Marketing & PR at Phoebe Sumter Medical Center. For all the latest news, please go to www.phoebesumter.org.
Click to View Video Construction
Phoebe Sumter joined thousands of organizations across the nation in participating in the 40th anniversary of Earth Day. The initiative, which is part of entire Phoebe Health System's "Clean and Green" initiative, is designed to keep our environment clean and healthy. At Phoebe Sumter Health Center, all employees received cloth shopping bags so they can use them instead of plastic shopping bags, which are petroleum based and less environmentally friendly. 
Here (l-r) Phoebe Sumter employees Mattie Jordan, Christine Rundle, Katina Fields and Sam Mercer pose by one of the hospital's "Clean & Green" signs while displaying their new cloth shopping bags. For all the latest news, please go to www.phoebesumter.org
Posted 04/22/2010 Photo:Dennis Berryhill, Phoebe Sumter Regional Hospital's night shift environmental supervisor, and Jim Moreland, environmental services director for the hospital, stand in front of a week's worth of office paper that will be recycled. As Kermit the Frog knows all too well, it's not easy being green. But, he, and many other people over the past few decades, have been going green -by reducing the waste they make, reusing some of the waste that would have otherwise gone into a landfill - like water bottles and rechargeable batteries and recycling as much as they can - like cardboard, aluminum cans and newspapers. And that's great. Businesses, though, have been slower to do so. While all their employees may be reducing, reusing and recycling, businesses haven't met the trend as fast. But, some are coming around - and for Earth Day, Phoebe Sumter Medical Center is meeting this trend head on. The hospital has slowly been changing their ways, and for Earth Day 2010, the hospital is handing out cloth shopping bags to their employees to carry to grocery stores instead of using plastic bags, which are made from petroleum. Jim Moreland, environmental services director for the hospital, recently described in detail what the hospital was doing to become more environmentally friendly. "We just want to make our employees and community aware of what we're doing - we've started a clean and green initiative for Earth Day this year," Moreland said. ""We're passing out reusable grocery bags to all employees and making those available in the gift shop." Moreland said they've also partnered with K&K Waste in Americus to recycle office paper. They've got about a week's worth of office paper so far in a giant truck bed, and Moreland said the truck probably will be able to hold nine weeks of office paper. "One ton of (recycled) paper saves 17 trees," Moreland said, and in a year, the hospital should have saved hundreds of trees. The hospital also has begun to recycle their Sharps containers, a device doctors and nurses dispose of dirty needles. "When you go to the doctor and they give you a shot, the doctor has to put those needles somewhere," Moreland said. "We've partnered with Stericycle - they take a Sharps container full of (used needles) and a robot opens it up, dumps (the needles out,) disinfects the containers and we get them back." Each Sharps container has a UPC code on it to let the hospital know how much longer the container will last. "We've kept (more than) 5,000 pounds of plastic from being incinerated," Moreland said. The hospital also recycles plastic bottles, aluminum cans, cardboard, and as the new hospital is being built, Moreland said, he and the staff are selecting products that are Earth-friendly and easier to clean. The hospital has saved, with the recycling, $5,000 over a year - the truck used to come every week to haul trash from the hospital to the landfill, but now, only comes every month. "A lot of it is education - we even have a coreless toilet paper roll we use now with no spool," Moreland said. Also, the cleaning staff is using microfilm mops instead of cotton mops. In each room, a microfilm mop head is used, and then put in the laundry pile to be washed. So, there's no double dipping into soapy water, and the rooms are cleaner, as well, because of this. We've started recycling office paper - we've partnered with K&K Waste in town Out of everything, Moreland said he's most proud of the office paper bin the hospital recently got, and is most impressed with the Sharps container recycling they've begun to do. "It's just important to our community, Georgia, and future generations," Moreland said. "Plus, it makes it a cleaner place now for our patients and family members."
Posted 04/22/2010 Photo: Sgt. Edward Jackson and Sgt. Michael Cobb pose with Phoebe Sumter Medical Center staff during the 48th Brigade's visit Wednesday. Sgt. Edward Jackson and Sgt. Michael Cobb, local National Guard soldiers in the 48th Brigade, visited Phoebe Sumter Medical Center employees Tuesday. Phoebe Sumter has been proactive in support of Jackson and Cobb and the rest of the local 48th Brigade during their time of service in the Middle East. Jackson and Cobb both served in Bosnia in 2001 and Iraq in 2005 and are back home in Americus after a year deployment in Afghanistan. During the 48th's deployment in Iraq, the hospital, then known as Sumter Regional Hospital, "adopted" a number of the soldiers, sending care packages to them during their deployment. "It works out really well and keeps moral up," says Jackson. "The packages have snack, magazines, newspapers - things to remind you of home." Jackson says that "adopt a soldier" helps to make sure that every troop gets something. "It provides a motivational push," says Cobb, who says he is glad to be back at home spending time with family. The 48th Brigade or Charlie Company is an infantry combat Brigade whose mission in Afghanistan over the past year has been police mentorship training according to Jackson. "We were embedded with locals and training them to function as a fighting force." Sgt. Jackson is employed at Sumter Youth Development Campus and has served in the National Guard for fourteen years. He enlisted in the Guard upon graduating from Valdosta State University. Jackson graduated from Americus High School where he played football along side Cobb. Cobb has more than 20 years in the National Guard and has been employed by the Americus Police Department for 14 years.
Posted 04/22/2010 Sergeant Michael Cobb and Sergeant 1st Class Edward Jackson of the 48th Brigade National Guard Infantry paid a visit today to some of old friends at Phoebe Sumter Medical Center. "The employees at Phoebe Sumter (formerly Sumter Regional) have always been good to me and my fellow soldiers, and we wanted to come out and tell them how much we appreciate their support," said Jackson, who recently returned from a tour of duty in Afghanistan. "The Adopt-A-Soldier program that was started about 5 years ago really helped the morale of our troops during that time and it is something that none of us will never forget." The soldiers toured the facility and met hospital employees, many of whom said "thanks" or gave them a hug. They ended the tour by visiting the hospital's Operating Room, which at one time had a number of adopted soldiers during the time of the program. According to Marcus Johnson, Phoebe Sumter's Director of Marketing, the employees are the ones who are thankful. "It is an honor and a privilege that these guys came out to visit us, and knowing that the Adopt-A-Soldier program helped them really makes us feel good," said Johnson, who is Sergeant Jackson's cousin. "When we found out a few years ago that there were soldiers who were not getting letters or packages from home, we decided to take some action and try to make at least a small difference during their time of service. To know that they are still a part of the hospital family after all these years means that we were able to make a difference, and we are very proud of that." "We can't thank the members of our military enough for what they do for us," said Johnson. "At the end of the day they are all volunteers who part themselves in harm's way so we can enjoy our way of life. Again, we can't thank them enough for their sacrifices. Johnson said that the soldiers will continue to be a part of the hospital's extended family and will be invited to upcoming hospital events, including an employee bbq during National Hospital Week (May 9-15). Click Here to View Additional Photos...
Posted 04/19/2010 ONE WORLD, ONE HOPE. A DAY WHERE CANCER WILL BE NO MORE! Click Here to View Additional Photos
Posted 04/12/2010 Phoebe Sumter Medical Center announces that Laurie Hair has been named the new Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for the organization. In her new role, she will manage the overall hospital financial operations, budgeting, the business office and accounts receivables, among other duties. Hair served the past three years as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at Flint River Hospital (FRH) in Montezuma after serving as the CFO the previous four years at the same organization. She began her healthcare career in 1996, serving as the business office and staff accountant for FRH. "We are very excited to have Laurie come aboard and become part of Phoebe Sumter Medical Center and the Phoebe family," said Phoebe Sumter Medical Center CEO Keith Petersen. "She brings a wealth of executive experience and is familiar with this area, and we know she will bring a lot of knowledge and enthusiasm to the position and to the organization as a whole." A native of Dooly County, Hair and her husband Ken have two children, Jordan and Logan. When she is not working she enjoys reading, spending time with family and friends and camping.
Posted 04/12/2010 Sanford Bishop (GA-2nd District) was on hand today to tour the construction site for the new Phoebe Sumter Medical Center and its three support buildings. Congressman Bishop has been a staunch supporter of the hospital (formerly Sumter Regional Hospital) for years, and he has been instrumental in gaining funds and creating awareness for the hospital since it was destroyed by a F3 tornado on March 1, 2007. Congressman Bishop visited the construction site located at the intersection of Hwy 19 and 280 in Americus after speaking to the local Kiwanis group earlier that day. Bishop viewed first-hand the progress, including the walls of the Women and Family Health Center and the continued development of the Oncology & Surgery Center. He also toured the site of the third and final support building, the Family, Wellness and Education Center, as well as the future site of the new Phoebe Sumter Medical Center. Accompanying him on the tour was Phoebe Sumter CEO Keith Petersen and local Representative Mike Cheokas (District 134). Phoebe Sumter's three medical office buildings are expected to be up and running by the end of this year. Of those, one will house obstetrics, gynecology, pediatrics and family practice while another will house oncology and general surgeons, and the third, orthopedics, wellness, fitness and education. A brand-new, state of the art new hospital is expected to be up and operation by the end of 2011. The new Phoebe Sumter Medical Center will be four stories and feature 76 beds, and according to CEO Keith Petersen, it will be "the finest small hospital in America" While the new four-story, 76-bed state of the art medical facility is under construction, the existing medical center on Forsyth Street continues to provide medical services. Click Here to View Construction Photos 
Hospital to match donation to make the total gift more than $11,000 A number of Phoebe Sumter Medical Center physicians recently donated $5,650 to the Phoebe Sumter Medical Center Indigent Fund in honor of National Doctor's Day, which is celebrated every year on March 30th. These funds are used for patients who need financial assistance for such as items as medication, transportation and equipment at time of discharge of the hospital. The physicians decided it was better to support this cause rather than receive a gift, and in keeping with that spirit Phoebe Sumter Medical Center is matching their donation, making the total $11,300. 
Pictured here in front of a Thank You banner signed by hospital employees are physicians who contributed to the fund and PSMC CEO Keith Petersen: (L-R): Dr. Henry Teaford, Dr. Leonard LaRussa, Dr. Sandra Zornes, Dr. David Campbell, Dr. David Taing, Dr. Ben Andrews, Dr. Wallace Mays, Dr. Andrew Carlson and Mr. Petesen. Physicians who donated but were not pictured are Dr. Poornima Chintalapalli, Dr. Nelson Madrazo's Practice Group, Dr. Rebecca Craig, Dr. Michael Busman, Dr. Buddy Marshall, Dr. Jose Rodriguez, Dr. Michael Raines, Dr. Jocelyn Rogers, Dr. Rick Oster, Dr. Schley Gatewood and Dr. Michael Baldwin.
In recognition of March 30th being National Doctor's Day, the employees at Phoebe Sumter Medical Center placed a banner in the main lobby and signed it to show their appreciation for the more than 50 physicians on staff at the hospital. 
Here (l-r) Phoebe Sumter Medical Center employees Mattie Jordan, Rhonda Villarreal, RN and Barbara Suggs pose by the Thank You banner that was signed by a number of hospital employees.
Proving yet again that it is much better to give than receive, the physicians of the Phoebe Sumter Medical Staff recently donated more than $5,000 to the Phoebe Sumter Medical Center Indigent Fund in honor of National Doctor's Day, which is celebrated every year on March 30th. These funds are used for patients who need financial assistance for such as items as medication, transportation and equipment at time of discharge of the hospital. The physicians decided it was better to support this cause rather than receive a gift, and in keeping with that spirit Phoebe Sumter Medical Center is matching their donation, making the total more than $10,000. 
Photo (l-r): Here, local physicians Andrew Carlson, MD; Buddy Marshall, MD (with wife Joanie); David Taing, MD (with wife Marlene); Rebecca Craig, MD; Wallace Mays, MD and Ben Andrews, MD pose with the thermometer showing that the PSMC Medical Staff reached their goal of raising more than $5000 for the hospital's discharge indigent care fund during a recent Doctor's Day reception.  
Former hospital employee and local midwife will take to supplies with her on medical mission trip to earthquake disaster site. Maureen Turner, a local Certified Nurse Midwife, is headed to Jacmel, Haiti to provide care for pregnant mothers and babies in this country which is still reeling from a devastating earthquake that happened on January 12th. Ms. Turner, a former hospital employee, called on Phoebe Sumter Medical Center for supplies that she can take with her because she says that the people of Haiti are still in dire need, especially for medical supplies. PSMC donated a number of items for her trip, including baby caps, cord clamps, bulb syringes and towels. “My heart and soul has been devoted to mothers and babies for my entire career of 48 years,” said Turner. “This trip to Haiti will be a joy for me because I know I can help a difference in place where pregnant mothers and their babies are still experiencing the hardships of the disaster.” 
Photo (l-r): Here, Turner poses with Marcus Johnson, Phoebe Sumter Director of Marketing & PR and Tammi Johnston, RNC, Phoebe Sumter Nurse Manager of Labor, Delivery and the Nursery. Johnson is holding the box of supplies that will accompany Ms. Turner to Haiti. She is expected to leave this upcoming Monday. If you would like to learn more about Ms. Turner’s trip and how you can help, please go to MailScanner has detected a possible fraud attempt from "srhmail" claiming to be www.bumisehatbali.org.
Posted 03/11/2010 Phoebe Sumter Medical Center's Becky Lightner recently visited Schley County Elementary to participate in the "What I Want to Be When I Grow Up" session for Heather Harmon's pre-kindergarten class. Lighter, who was recently named Director of Information Technology at PSMC, spoke to the students about what her job duties are at the hospital and how important computers are to the hospital and society as a whole. Photo: Here, Lightner demonstrates on a computer as the children look on attentively. Among the children is Lightner's son Ty. If you would like someone from Phoebe Sumter to speak to your class, group or organization, please contact the Marketing & PR Department at (229) 924-6011 ext 2110. For all the latest news, please go to www.phoebesumter.org.
Bob Arnold and Jose Barros, find themselves outnumbered every day when they come to work at Phoebe Sumter Medical Center (PSMC) in Americus. Arnold and Barros are among seven male registered nurses (RN) at PSMC. Arnold has been working at the hospital as a nurse for 13 years, and Barros has been at the hospital for six months as an RN and a cardiovascular technician for eight years. Both men thoroughly enjoy the jobs they do. “I have always liked to help people,” Arnold said, “but I think that economics plays a large part in it, too.” The two joined in unison, saying that job security was a perk of the job. Arnold said, “The availability of jobs, the flexibility in hours that you can work and the different roles you can go into, are some of the other reasons why I chose to go into this field.” Barros mirrored Arnold’s statements, “The fact that in nursing you can go so far with it, and choose any area to go into is what was appealing. I mean you can be an RN, nurse practitioner or nurse anesthetist, so you can take it far in your career.” Arnold said one of the other reasons he entered the nursing profession was the possibility of moving up in the job. “I think that a lot of males look at nursing like a stepping stone,” he said. “As long as you are willing to go to school and work, there are so many places you can go in this profession.” Barros, who is originally from Miami, said the reason he got into this profession was because of his father, who has been a nurse for 30 years. “I just want to be like him,” said Barros. In their spare time both said they enjoy fishing, hunting, camping and spending time with their families. Arnold has three children, two girls and a boy, and Barros has two daughters. Barros said a quote that he lives by is something his high school football coach would tell the team before they headed out to the field every night: Once a task has begun, never quit until it’s done, be it labor great or small, do it well or not at all. “The quote just stuck with me,” he said. Copyright © 1999-2010 cnhi, inc.
The three medical office buildings are expected to be up and running by the end of this year. Of those, one will house obstetrics, gynecology, pediatrics and family practice while another will house oncology and general surgeons, and the third, orthopedics, wellness, fitness and education. A brand-new, state of the art new hospital is expected to be up and operation by the end of 2011. The new Phoebe Sumter Medical Center will be four stories and feature 76 beds, and according to CEO Keith Petersen, it will be "the finest small hospital in America" While the new four-story, 76-bed state of the art medical facility is under construction, the existing medical center on Forsyth Street continues to provide medical services. Click Here for Updated Photos
Phoebe Sumter Medical Center is in the planning stages of its upcoming Women's Health Day on Saturday, May 15th, and is currently looking for volunteers to help plan and coordinate this event. The volunteers will help with all areas of this conference, which will offer a variety of screenings for women in the community, including Blood Pressure, Glucose & Cholesterol, as well as Diabetes and Breast Health information as well. The first meeting will take place next Thursday, March 11th at 5:30 pm in the Phoebe Sumter Medical Center Conference Room. If you would like to be a part of this event or need additional information, please call Marcus Johnson at (229) 942-5102 or Darrell Sabbs at (229) 942-1850.
Posted 02/15/2010 Michael Raines, M.D., a family medicine physician, born in Shellman, Ga., is returning to Americus to practice medicine at Phoebe Sumter Medical Center. He has joined the Phoebe Sumter Physician Group and is now a member of the medical staff. He will begin seeing patients on Monday, March 1st, 2010 at Phoebe Sumter Family Medicine Associates, which is located at 101A Mayo Street in the Mayo Medical Plaza. To schedule an appointment, please call (229) 931-9422. Raines, who completed most of his medical training in Southwest Georgia, spent three years in Cuthbert and nine years in Americus practicing medicine before moving to Albany in 2005. Since then, his practice has been with Medical Associates of Albany. His training includes participation in the Fifth Pathway Program at Maimonides Hospital in Brooklyn, N.Y., and clinical rotations at Prince George’s Hospital Department of Professional Education in Cheverly, Md. He completed his family practice residency at The Medical Center, in Columbus, Ga., and was chief resident during his third year of training. He earned his medical degree from Universidad de Autonoma de Guadalajara, Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico.
Visitors to Phoebe Sumter Medical Center probably have noticed a change in dress for the employees at the hospital. That's because on January 1st of this year, PSMC instituted a dress code that was in line with the policy at Phoebe Putney and other entities of the Phoebe Health System. The policy is designed to give the employees a more professional look and also will allow patients and visitors to identify nurses and other hospital personnel easier. 
Click Here for Additional Photos Here, a number of Phoebe Sumter employees showcase their new uniforms in their respective departments.
Click here to view of video of WVTM 9's newscoverage on Phoebe Sumter Medical Center groundbreaking.
Construction officially began for the new Phoebe Sumter Medical Center and its three support buildings this week. The three medical office buildings are expected to be up and running by the end of this year. Of those, one will house obstetrics, gynecology, pediatrics and family practice while another will house oncology and general surgeons, and the third, orthopedics, wellness, fitness and education. A brand-new, state of the art new hospital is expected to be up and operation by the end of 2011. The new Phoebe Sumter Medical Center will be four stories and feature 76 beds, and according to CEO Keith Petersen, it will be "the finest small hospital in America" While the new four-story, 76-bed state of the art medical facility is under construction, the existing medical center on Forsyth Street continues to provide medical services. For all the latest news, go to www.phoebesumter.org. Click Here to View Recent Construction Photos
Construction crews have begun work on the new hospital and support buildings at Phoebe Sumter Medical Center in Americus, GA. Officials tell us the new hospital is slated to open the end of 2011. The address of the new medical village is 126 Highway 280. It will feature a four-story, 76-bed hospital, with three free-standing medical office buildings that will house oncology, surgery, women and children's services, wellness and orthopedics. The 40-acre site will also feature a running/walking track. In March, the hospital will also receive the free MRI that it earned from a Siemens contest in 2007. In addition, Phoebe Health System has recently adopted a new dress code. It believes the new dress code will allow patients to readily identify nurses and other hospital personnel.
Recent interview with Phoebe Sumter Director of Marketing & PR Marcus Johnson and newly appointed Chief Nursing Officer Susan Bruns on WSST TV Channel 55 with Phil Streetman
Dennis Berryhil strolls into the waiting area at the main entrance of Phoebe Sumter Medical Center (PSMC) and before he can take a seat, something catches his eye. In the corner of the room, underneath a row of chairs, three magazines have fallen off of their perch atop the wooden table. Berryhill simple strolls over, bends down and picks up the magazines, and gently places them back to their correct spot. It is these types of situations, which make people around the hospital know that Berryhill takes pride in what he does. He doesn’t ask anybody to come and pick them up, nor does he sigh or gripe and complain about having to pick up the publications. It's his job and he does it well. “My motto is ‘make it do what it do,’ ” Berryhill said, “which means to me, do whatever needs to be done.” Berryhill works second-shift on Enviornmental Services at PSMC, and has been doing so for the past four and half years. He spends his days at the hospital cleaning the floors and doing the basic housekeeping duties in every nook, cranny, hallway, and guest room in the hospital. Berryhill stated that the main thing that he loves about his job is that “it allows me to meet a wide variety of different people.” Berryhill credits his hard work ethic to his parents. “My parents taught me a lot growing up, like working hard, and taking pride in the job that you do,” said Berryhill. When Berryhill is not keeping the hospital looking neat and tidy, he said he enjoys playing basketball, fishing, and spending time with his family. So the next time you visit PSMC, and see Dennis Berryhill hard at work, make sure you say hello and take a minute to thank him for the job he does.
Phoebe Sumter Medical Center is proud to announce the first baby born in the new year, as well as the first New Year's baby born since Sumter Regional officially became Phoebe Sumter on July 1st of last year. Fernando Perez-Hernandez was born on January 1st, 2010 at 4:23 am and weighed 7 pounds at birth. He was welcomed to the world by his parents Salvador and Magdalena Hernandez-Santiz. As the official New Years baby, Fernando will receive a gift basket courtesy of Phoebe Sumter Medical Center. 
Photo: Magdalena Hernandez-Santiz holds newborn son Fernando Perez-Hernandez a day after his birth at Phoebe Sumter Medical Center. Fernando holds the distinction of not only being the first baby born in 2010 in Americus & Sumter County, but also the first new year baby for Phoebe Sumter Medical Center, formerly Sumter Regional Hospital. Also pictured are Phoebe Sumter's LaVanta Kirkland, RN (Nursery) and Wendy Crimmins, RN (Labor & Delivery)
Phoebe Sumter Medical Center has named Susan Bruns, BSN, as Chief Nursing Officer. 
“We did an extensive search and we felt that Susan was the best fit for the organization,” said Phoebe Sumter CEO Keith Petersen. “She has worked in the organization for more than 15 years, and has served capably as Interim Chief Nursing Officer. She is an asset to Phoebe Sumter and has the background, experience and skills to be very successful in her new position.” A native of Indiana , Bruns earned a BSN in Nursing from Valparaiso University , which is also located in Indiana . She has served in a number of roles at the former Sumter Regional Hospital and current Phoebe Sumter Medical Center , including Director of Critical Care Services. She has served as Interim Chief Nursing Officer since September 1st of this year. Susan is married to Bob Bruns and they have two children, Eric and Heidi. When she is not working she likes to exercise, which includes running and playing tennis, as well as spend time with her family. She says she is excited at this opportunity and looks forward to helping Phoebe Sumter achieve all of its goals in terms of patient care as well as being a leader in the community.
Phoebe Sumter Medical Center and Americus and Sumter County Hospital Authority received Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH) approval on Monday to build a Medical Village, including a new hospital to replace Sumter Regional Hospital. DCH approved a request for a Letter of Determination, filed with the Department on Nov. 2, for the relocation of the new hospital and for the construction of three medical office buildings. The $125 million planned development will occur at 126 Highway 280. Phoebe Sumter Medical Center will be constructed, featuring a four-story, 76-bed hospital. Three freestanding medical office buildings, ranging in size from 15,000-20,000 square feet, will house medical oncology, surgery, primary care, wound care, outpatient rehab and physical therapy, women and children’s services, wellness and education services, and orthopedics. The 40-acre construction area will also feature a running/walking track. The medical office buildings will be constructed first to provide access to physicians. The new hospital will be completed in mid-2011. The Authority and officials at Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital broke ground in November to prepare for the new construction. For more information, contact Marcus Johnson, Phoebe Sumter Medical Center Public Relations Director, at 229-942-5102 or 229-924-6011, or Valerie Benton Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital Public Relations Manager, at 229-312-7106 or 229-894-2140.
Construction on Americus’ new hospital will be underway Jan. 18, according to Project Manager Brian Smith, who works for Brasfield & Gorrie General Contractors, the company in charge of the hospital’s construction. The company’s pre-qualifying subcontractors now to help build the hospital, and they met at the Windsor Hotel to discuss the hospital and clinics as a whole Wednesday. That’s the only date that’s set in stone right now, but the company hopes to have the hospital ready for move-in by December 2011. Smith and colleague Tate McKee, division manager for Brasfield & Gorrie, conducted a subcontractor/vendor information session in Americus Wednesday. The hospital will be four stories and include 190,000 sq. ft. There will also be a Women’s and Family Health building, which will be 16,000 sq. ft., a surgery and oncology center that will be 20,000 sq. ft. and a wellness and education center that will be 18,000 sq. ft. The entire skeleton will be made of steel, and the outside will be modular-sized brick. The roof will be shingle or a standing green roof. “The architects are working on the final details,” Smith said. During construction, there will be a safety person onsite at all times. Smith gave a list of dates on which he wishes the construction to progress, but the dates are subject to change at any given point because of problems that may occur — as in every construction timeline. He’d like the steel erection to begin April 1, and to top out and start the skin on May 1. Smith would like the foundation finished by June 21, and he’d like the skin completed by Aug. 1. Also, he’d like to obtain the certification for the occupancy by December 2011. He’d like the interior of the hospital to be completed at the very latest by Oct. 1, 2011. Smith said they’re at the beginning of the process of developing the hospital; the group hasn’t developed all its drawings yet, so the dates announced are tentative at best, just depending on how fast construction goes, and how many rain dates there are. Americus needs a new hospital because of a 2007 tornado that destroyed Sumter Regional Hospital. A temporary hospital was constructed after the tornado ripped Sumter Regional Hospital, and in July 2009, Georgia’s attorney general approved Phoebe Putney Health Organization to take over Sumter County’s hospital.
Americus – Phoebe Sumter physicians recently conducted a drive to collect toys for the less fortunate children in our community. The toys were collected over a three-week period and were donated by the Medical Staff to the local Department of Family and Children Services (DFACS) branch, which will distribute the toys to those who qualify and are in need. 
Here (l-r), DFACS Data Integrity Specialist Pamela Angry and Social Services Supervisor Yolanda Fripp pose with Phoebe Sumter Director of Medical Staff Affairs Diane Mixon and Phoebe Sumter Vice President of Medical Staff Affairs Dr. Andrew Carlson during the pick up of the toys from the hospital. Not pictured is Dr. Michael Busman, Phoebe Sumter Medical Center Chief of Staff.
Click on the video below to view.
Click here to view pictures from Phoebe Sumter Medical Center Flag Ceremony
Phoebe Sumter Medical Center recently donated Christmas ornaments to the local Boys & Girls Club of Americus & Sumter County. The children will place the ornaments on their club tree and the hospital will also provide toys that were donated by employees and members of the medical staff. 
Here, members of the club pose with Phoebe Sumter employees at the main entrance of the hospital. Larry Jackson (far right) represented both the hospital and the Boys & Girls Club, where he serves as President. Also pictured are Boys & Girls Club Chief Professional Officer Lori Clemons; Susan Ruckman, Bookkeeper, Boys & Girls Club and Blanca Barros, Customer Service Representative, Phoebe Sumter Medical Center.
The employees at Phoebe Sumter Medical Center recently held a Canned Food Drive to help those in need in the community. "Our employees really wanted to make a difference this holiday season, and collecting canned goods was one of the ways we felt we could help those in need in Americus & Sumter County," said Marcus Johnson, Director of Marketing & PR at Phoebe Sumter Medical Center. "Each day, someone in our very own backyard does not have enough to eat, so hopefully this donation will go a long way towards changing this outcome." All donations were presented to the Sumter Area Ministerial Association (SAMA) Food Bank, which distributes to local people in need. 
PHOTO: SAMA Food Bank Director Minnie Clark (third from right, in green jacket) poses with Phoebe Sumter employees (l-r) Ronnie McCrary, Cynthia Lundy, Herschel Wisham, Sharon Battle and Joe Bridges as receives the donation from the hospital.
Posted 12/04/2009 Local businessman and current Phoebe Sumter Medical Center Board Member Brad Lafevers was named chairman of the Phoebe Sumter Board for 2010 during the Board’s December meeting. Lafevers replaces Phoebe Putney Health System CEO Joel Wernick as chairman. Wernick will continue to serve on the Board as vice chairman. Lafevers, a resident of Americus, is President/CEO of the Heart of Georgia RailRoad Company, also located in Americus. “This is quite an honor, and I am very excited to have an opportunity to be involved in the rebirth of our medical facility and the services it provides,” said Lafevers. “I look forward to working with fellow Board members and Phoebe Sumter Medical Center CEO Keith Petersen to help make our hospital into a first-class facility with state-of-the-art technology. “I understand the value and importance of the hospital to our area, especially the impact of the upcoming new medical facility and its support buildings,” Lafevers said. “We will continue to help expand services for the people in this community and hopefully this will also help Americus and Sumter County to grow as well.”
Posted on 11/25/2009 The Reinhardt College Lady Eagles softball team in Waleska, Georgia recently showed its support of Phoebe Sumter Medical Center's 6th Annual Breast Cancer Awareness Walk by wearing the pink shirts worn by walkers here in Americus this year. Two of the players, Lindsey Booker and Alex Riccardi, are from Americus and are both Southland Academy graduates. In addition to wearing the Breast Cancer Awareness Shirts, the team also had fundraising games that benefited Susan G. Komen for the Cure and recently presented a $1000 check to the organization for the fight against breast cancer. "The reason why we had the event with this foundation is because breast cancer really hit home with one of our player's moms and personally, with a friend of our family's who passed away," Reinhardt head softball coach Glen Crawford said. "It was a way for us to give back to a great cause. Candy Riccardi, the mother of Alex Riccardi was diagnosed with breast cancer earlier this year. Mrs. Riccardi is a member of Pink Pals, a local breast cancer survivor group, and is a strong supporter of the Reinhardt softball program.
Keith Petersen views Americus as an engaged community AMERICUS (Thursday, November 19, 2009) – Newly appointed CEO of Phoebe Sumter Medical Center and former interim Keith Petersen met with Times Recorder Wednesday to talk about what’s going on with the existing facility and the new hospital. At present, in the wake of the Nov. 2nd groundbreaking ceremony, Petersen says that trees have been cleared and the infrastructure work (gas lines, water lines, electricity) needs to be accomplished prior to actual construction starting. He said the three medical office buildings are expected to be up and running by this time next year. Of those, one will house obstetrics, gynecology, pediatrics and family practice while another will house oncology and general surgeons, and the third, orthopedics, wellness, fitness and education. While the new four-story, 76-bed state of the art medical facility is under construction, the existing medical center on Forsyth Street continues to provide medical services. Some layoffs occurred between the time of the March 2007 tornado and the partnership with Phoebe, and some of those jobs have come back, according to Petersen. “We’ve hired some people back who were laid off, some laid off about a year ago. We’ve changed our staffing a little bit to bring some of those workers back, certified nursing assistants, some ward clerks and some RNs for various shifts,” he said. Some doctors left the community in the wake of the destruction of Sumter Regional Hospital in March 2007, but some are coming back now and more will find the new hospital a good incentive to return when it is completed in late 2011/early 2012. “With our hospitalist group, Dr. Frank Wilson (IV), Dr. Rick Oster and Dr. Cathy Hudson have returned,” he said, adding that Phoebe Sumter is in conversations with others about possibly returning. He did say that John and Patty Fennessy will be in Americus in August 2010 to practice medicine, the former being an orthopedic surgeon and the latter an OB-GYN. “Now orthopedic is all being shipped to Albany , so this will be huge for us,” he said. Petersen also mentioned Jeremy Joyner who recently returned to Americus to join his father, Doug Joyner, in the practice of general surgery. Though surgeries are currently being performed at Phoebe Sumter and babies are being born there, the emergency room is also kept busy. “We’ve had a challenge with the amount of time it takes to get in and out of the ER and we’re working very hard to be more efficient and more effective. That’s a long-term project…We want to able to serve people quickly who may or may not really need to be in the emergency room or have a minor ailment or illness so we can move them in and out. That’s a huge project,” Petersen said, adding that the way the temporary hospital is constructed makes it challenging. Some of the observations that Petersen has made over the last several months since being named interim CEO on July 1 when Phoebe Putney Health System took over |
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| 1048 E. Forsyth Street, Americus, Georgia 31709, (229) 924-6011 | |||||||||