Beginning today, Smith Northview is an official campus of South Georgia Medical Center.

Officials from the Hospital Authority of Valdosta-Lowndes County and Ameris Health Systems gathered Wednesday at SGMC to sign the paperwork together to finalize the sale.

SGMC purchased Smith Northview for $55 million, with no assumption of debt. Hospital Authority Attorney Walter H. New said the purchase was financed through an 18-month bridge loan, which is anticipated to be paid in full in December when SGMC is expected to have a $100 million bond issue to pay for current and future projects on the main hospital campus.

Interim CEO for Smith Northview, Shamb Purohit, said, “This is a wonderful moment and we need to celebrate it.”

The dozens of documents, all in duplicate, took more than an hour to be signed by all of the responsible parties, including Authority Chairman Bill Cowart, Finance Chairman Johnny Langdale, Ameris CEO Sam Lewis, and Ameris COO Robert Bauer, along with the respective attorneys. Members of the Hospital Authority were on hand to witness the event, as the transaction is thought to be the single largest purchase of its kind in the history of Lowndes County.

SGMC CEO Randy Sauls said a team has been preparing for weeks to ensure a smooth transition today and patients won’t notice a difference.

“There’s an operational team behind the scenes working to make sure there are no disruptions in service and patient care,” he said.

Lewis has agreed to continue working with SGMC for the next year to develop a future plan for the facilities.

“Health care is changing in America and we have to change or we won’t survive,” he said.

When the Hospital Authority first approached Lewis, he said they were reluctant to sell Smith Northview, but in consideration of the many changes coming in the national health care plan, “We decided it was in all of our best interests.

“The process has been very pleasant and we have become friends and allies. I hope to help develop a strategic plan that will address some of the out migration from the community and determine what services would be most beneficial.”

Lewis said that those concerned with changes at Smith Northview need to remember that both hospitals are typically relatively full.

“If we stopped delivering babies, where would those mothers go? There’s not enough room for them at SGMC. There is a need for Smith Northview and SGMC recognizes and respects that.”

Sauls said he is very thankful that Lewis will be working with the hospital for the next year as he has such a strong health care background.

“He has so much wisdom and has developed strong health systems. He wants us to succeed and become the region’s premiere medical center for this community.”