Staff Reports

PEACHTREE CORNERS — SGMC Berrien Campus, Archbold Brooks, Clinch Memorial Hospital, Southwell Medical campus of Tift Regional Medical Center and SGMC Health Lanier were among 25 hospitals to receive a $10,000 grant from the Georgia Community Foundation.

The foundation announced the grants in a press release Tuesday.

All 25 of the recipients are participants in the Georgia HEART Hospital Program and are within the Federal Disaster Declaration due to Hurricane Helene.

This initiative totals $250,000 aimed at supporting recovery efforts and ensuring these critical healthcare providers can continue to serve their communities in the wake of the disaster, the press release said.

The Georgia Community Foundation operates the Georgia HEART Hospital Program as a subsidiary, enabling rural and critical access hospitals to capitalize on increased funding opportunities through the Rural Hospital Organization Expense Tax Credit.  

“One of our foundation’s core philanthropic objectives is to advance rural health,” said Ben Saylor, president and CEO of the Georgia Community Foundation and the Georgia HEART Hospital Program. “We hope this funding will be instrumental in helping these facilities recover from the hurricane’s damage, replenish essential supplies, and improve their capacity to respond to community health needs.”

Hurricane Helene posed significant challenges to many of Georgia’s rural hospitals and their surrounding communities. The storm not only caused physical damage to hospital infrastructure but also strained resources as healthcare providers worked tirelessly to ensure the safety and well-being of their patients.

Through this financial support, the Georgia Community Foundation seeks to deliver immediate assistance that creates a lasting impact, enabling these hospitals and their staff to remain a vital source of care and comfort for the residents they serve, the press release said.

“We are grateful for the support of the Georgia Community Foundation and their response to the needs of Georgia’s rural hospitals who have been affected by Hurricane Helene,” said Bill Wylie, executive vice president of member services for Georgia Hospital Association. “This generous funding comes at a critical time when our hospitals are facing extraordinary challenges due to the storm’s impact.”

For more information about the Georgia Community Foundation, visit www.georgiacf.org. For more information about the Georgia HEART Hospital Program, visit www.georgiaheart.org.