for Statewide Study of Lifesaving Heart Procedure

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1 T i f t R e g i o n a l M e d i c a l C e n t e r s p r i n g 2006 TRMC Selected for Statewide Study of Lifesaving Heart Procedure A closer look at CON Better Facilities. Better Technology. Better Vascular Health. Angiography Suite Now Open new procedure Lets You Put Chronic Back Pain in the Past IMRT: An Innovation in Radiation Cancer Therapy

2 n n news briefs c o n t e n t s News Briefs pages 2-4 IMRT: An Innovation in Cancer Research There s a RAT at TRMC TRMC Selected for Statewide Study TRMC Impacts Economy, Local Business Construction Begins on New Intensive Care Unit Physician Focus pages 5-7 Giving Backs a Solid Boost Continuing the Healing Tradition Expanding to Serve You New Angiography Suite Now Open Advancing Physician Knowledge and Accreditation Advanced Women s Imaging New CT Scanner = More Power, Higher Resolution Occupational Health & Wellness pages 8-9 WorkSmart Comes to You WorkSmart Offers New Drug Screening Method Pre-Employment Physicals WorkSmart Breaks Ground on New Facility New MRO Fees More Cost-Effective for Companies Government Affairs page 10 Say No to Higher Medical Costs A Closer Look at CON Richardson Selected as Chairman for GHA Community Events & Foundation News page 11 Your Donations Make a Difference 2006 Gala a Sparkling Success TRMC Employees and Relay For Life: A Winning Combination impact is published as a service of, 901 East 18th Street, Tifton, GA This publication in no way seeks to diagnose or treat illness or to serve as a substitute for professional medical care. Please see your physician if you have a health problem. Produced by: (800) IMRT: an Innovation in Cancer Care Pioneered at prominent research institutes such as Memorial Sloan-Kettering Hospital in New York City and Stanford University in California, intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) is now available at advanced radiation centers such as the Oncology Center at Tift Regional Medical Center. IMRT utilizes a highly precise radiation system guided by a revolutionary computer to deliver carefully calculated beams of intense radiation directly into a tumor. Computer-generated imaging of the exact location of the tumor allows the oncology team to calibrate the radiation beam therapy with an accuracy that has never before been available. The pinpoint accuracy of the IMRT beam has several vital advantages for cancer patients, the most significant being its ability to maximize the dose of radiation to the cancerous tumor while sparing surrounding healthy tissue from unnecessary exposure. The technology of IMRT is so advanced that it can be programmed to wrap and angle beams of radiation around normal tissues and organs, protecting good cells as it destroys the tumor. As such, IMRT patients typically experience fewer side effects from high-dose radiation, which helps them remain healthier, stronger, and lead more normal lifestyles during treatment. For more information on IMRT at TRMC, please call the TRMC Oncology Center at (229) There s a RAT at TRMC The Rapid Assessment Team (RAT) at Tift Regional Medical Center is a group of ICU nurses and respiratory therapists who serve as a first line of defense for patients who are showing early signs of instability of life functions. If a patient has symptoms such as breathing difficulty or change in blood pressure or heart rhythm, RAT members arrive within minutes. This early intervention can prevent a patient from going into a cardiac arrest or code situation, says William Guest, MD, director of ICU and Respiratory Care at TRMC. Members of the team are able to assess the patient and treat problems to stabilize the patient before any major trouble can happen. The team began about a year ago when Dr. Guest read an article about medical SWAT teams. He brought the idea to the hospital, and after a few months of research and planning, the RAT was released. Since the start of the team, codes at TRMC have decreased by 80 percent, says Dr. Guest. This quick-response team is saving lives. TRMC Selected for Statewide Study The Georgia Department of Community Health recently announced that was one of 10 Georgia hospitals chosen to take part in a statewide clinical trial of a lifesaving heart procedure. The three-year study plans to demonstrate, as found in other studies, that hospitals can safely perform angioplasty procedures without having open-heart surgery as a back-up measure in case of complications. Healing Hearts Typically performed in a cardiac catheterization lab, angioplasty is a minimally invasive stenting procedure used to unblock clogged arteries. The C-PORT project, which stands for Cardiovascular Patient Outcomes Research Team, will waive the state s requirement to have an open-heart surgery program at the selected hospitals during the three-year trial period. Angioplasty has been established as an effective procedure in reversing or minimizing hardened arteries, the cause of heart attacks and severe chest cramps, says William T. Richardson, president and CEO of TRMC. But the state s current standards have really penalized residents who live in rural areas, because most hospitals serving these communities don t have on-site open-heart surgery programs. With this trial, we hope to prove that hospitals like Tift Regional can perform this procedure safely and effectively, like many hospitals in other states and in Europe. Currently, patients who are identified as needing angioplasty in a diagnostic-only cardiac catheterization laboratory must be discharged and admitted to a hospital with on-site cardiac surgery or transferred by ambulance if angioplasty is indicated. This creates significant inconvenience for patients and their families as well as added delays, increased costs, and greater health risks, says William Hancock, MD, cardiologist on the medical staff at TRMC. And, in many cases, it could be a matter of life or death. Many rural hospitals have stories of heart attack victims being sent out-of-town to bigger hospitals and not surviving the transport. Making Cardiac Care More Convenient The C-PORT trial is expected to begin in Summer The clinical study will run for three years or until 16,000 of the procedures have been performed in the United States, whichever comes first. When the trial is over, the Department of Community Health will evaluate the results and determine whether to change the Certificate of Need regulations permanently, allowing the angioplasty procedures to continue. This is great news for residents of South Central Georgia and the other communities selected, and this will significantly news briefs n Hospitals like Tift Regional Medical Center have the best lifesaving therapies available. With this trial, we will now be able to fully utilize them. Paul Murray, MD, an interventional cardiologist on the TRMC medical staff The Cardiovascular Patient Outcomes Research Team (C-PORT) study will explore whether or not hospitals can safely perform angioplasty procedures without having open-heart surgery as a back-up measure in case of complications. improve access to care for all citizens, says Richardson. Technological advances, our close proximity to hospitals with cardiac surgery, and recent studies support the need for a change in state regulations regarding angioplasty, and this trial is an important first step. n

3 n news briefs physician focus p n Impacts Economy, Local Business The impact of Tift Regional Medical Center reaches beyond the community and into the local and state economy. The hospital provides jobs and wages to residents and provides an opportunity to keep healthcare dollars circulating within the local economy. To forecast the hospital s continuing effect on the Tift County economy and the economy of Georgia as a whole, TRMC launched an economic modeling study to estimate the hospital s economic impact up to the year Using the system created by Regional Dynamics, Inc., and the Carl Vinson Institute of Government, the study produced the following estimates: On average, a total of 2,503 jobs in Tift County over the years 2004 to 2013 are dependent on TRMC, and an average of 3,222 jobs in the state of Georgia over the years 2004 to 2013 exist because of the presence of TRMC. When s new intensive care unit (ICU) is complete next January or February, it will take comfort and convenience to the next level for physicians, patients, and their families. On average, $164,209,000 in revenue will be generated each year for businesses in Tift County, and $224,364,000 in revenue is generated each year for businesses in the state of Georgia by the presence of TRMC. Over the 10-year period covered by this study, TRMC will generate $1,642,092,000 in business revenue for the Tift County economy, and $2,243,643,000 in business revenue in Georgia. In addition to making an economic impact, TRMC also provides a safety net for those in the community without health insurance or with minimal coverage. In fiscal year 2005, TRMC provided charitable care and bad debt expense totaling $36,604,742. Construction Begins on New Intensive Care Unit is constructing a new and improved intensive care unit (ICU) to better serve the needs of the community. Construction for the new ICU is scheduled for completion in January or February When complete, the ICU will feature 20 beds with state-of-the-art technology. The most prominent feature in the patient rooms is an equipment-storage system using automated arms that will keep equipment away from the patient and create additional space in the room, says Angelia Reeder, ICU Nurse Manager at TRMC. This increased space will be more convenient for both patients and medical staff. Additional space will also allow patients to be positioned with the views of their choice while in the ICU. The new ICU will also feature an expanded waiting area for families to visit their loved ones. With our new space, families will be able to spend more time with the patient, which helps to increase a patient s well being, Reeder says. Families will also be able to benefit by connecting with their loved ones in a group atmosphere. Continuing the Healing Tradition Ed Bryan, MD Emergency Medicine Gwendolyn Dean, MD Pediatrics Edward Hellman, MD Orthopedic/Spine Kelvin Lane, MD Urology Todd Lilji, MD Emergency Medicine Henry Richbourg, MD Family Practice Giving Backs a Solid Boost Kyphoplasty involves the insertion of a catheter (small, flexible tube) into the sight of a spinal fracture. A tiny balloon is guided through the catheter and inflated, returning the spine to its original height. Illustration courtesy of Kyphon Inc. welcomed the following new medical staff members in 2005: Laura Schaefer, MD Emergency Medicine Jeffery Silveria, MD Otolaryngology Morgan Smith, MD Family Practice Wayne Stewart, MD Radiologist Louise Wilder, MD Family Practice Spinal fractures result in debilitating pain and reduced height. When physical therapy and pain management techniques aren t enough to remedy these problems, an innovative procedure called kyphoplasty is a viable option. During kyphoplasty, the surgeon inserts a catheter (small flexible tube) into the sight of the fracture. Next, a tiny balloon is guided through the catheter and inflated, returning the spine to its original height. The balloon is then removed, and special orthopedic cement is injected to help the spine retain its position and alleviate pain. The procedure takes less than an hour, and the patient usually returns home the same day. Prior to kyphoplasty, there was little that could be done to relieve the pain of a spinal fracture, says Edward Hellman, MD, orthopedic surgeon with Georgia Sports Medicine on the medical staff at. After kyphoplasty, patients experience immediate pain relief. It s an excellent treatment option with positive long-term results, and I m glad to offer it to the community. Kyphoplasty is available to be performed by two spine surgeons on the TRMC medical staff: Edward Hellman, MD, with Georgia Sports Medicine and Mac Sims, MD, with Southern Spine Center. Dr. Hellman can be reached at (229) Dr. Sims can be contacted at (229) Expanding to Serve You With a reputation as an innovative provider of quality care, is a not-for-profit, 191-bed regional hospital serving 12 counties in South Central Georgia. Located in Tifton, the hospital s medical staff includes more than 95 physicians with the majority board-certified in over 30 specialties. is currently recruiting physicians in the following areas: internal medicine rheumatology medical oncology family practice otolaryngology (ear, nose, and throat) p

4 p physician focus physician focus p New Angiography Suite Now Open Advanced Women s Imaging with a Focus on Comfort p recently opened a $2 million, all-digital angiography suite at its Heart and Vascular Center that will enhance the diagnosis and treatment of blood circulation problems for area residents. This cutting-edge imaging technology which is still unavailable in many larger, academic hospitals is used by TRMC vascular surgeons William Kaiser, MD, and William Davis, MD, to evaluate vascular disease. What is vascular disease? Vascular disease refers to the unhealthy changes that occur in blood vessels as people grow older. The most common disease process is known as atherosclerosis, or the hardening of the arteries, which results in poor blood circulation. Vascular disorders such as atherosclerosis can cause pain, cramping, difficulty walking, numbness, skin discoloration, and if left untreated, could lead to loss of the leg. Poor circulation to the brain due to blockage or hardening of neck arteries is also one of the leading causes of stroke. Every two years, all Georgia physicians are required to complete 40 hours of CME programs in order to fulfill their licensure requirements. These programs, which emphasize new and innovative medical advances, help keep physicians up to date on new techniques, equipment, and treatments. By providing our physicians with these continuing education opportunities, says Joy Davis, marketing specialist and CME coordinator for TRMC, we give our South Central Georgia community access to the most modern medical care that TRMC and its physicians can offer. TRMC has several CME opportunities during the year, including a tumor board that meets twice monthly and allows physicians to discuss Patients with vascular disease can find relief through innovative techniques at the new all-digital angiography suite in the Heart and Vascular Center at Tift Regional Medical Center. What is angiography? During angiography, a harmless substance known as a contrast agent, which absorbs X-rays, is injected into the patient. The patient rests on an exam table in the angiography suite while an advanced, rotating X-ray unit produces a digital picture of the vessels (the angiogram). The contrast agent blocks the X-rays, casting a shadow of the injected vessels onto a special screen called a fluoroscope. This image reveals the shape of the artery, and can help the vascular specialist diagnose an obstruction, blockage, or narrowing (stenosis). For more information on the TRMC Heart and Vascular Center, call Director of Cardiovascular Services Wesley McDaniel at (229) Advancing Physician Knowledge and Accreditation Thanks to s Continuing Medical Education (CME) program, physicians from Tift County and the surrounding service areas no longer have to leave the area to have access to the latest and greatest in healthcare information. the clinical cases of patients. Grand Rounds, the physician CME lunch series, is hosted monthly, and Grand Rounds After Hours, the physician CME dinner series, is hosted four or five times per year. Speakers from all over the country are brought in to discuss general medical principles and issues, updates in treatments, or recommend best practices. If we didn t offer this program, our physicians would have to travel out of town to meet their CME requirements, Davis says. As a regional hospital, this is one more service we can offer to our physicians here at home. For more information on the CME program at Tift Regional Medical Center, call (229) When Tift Regional Medical Center opened its new Women s Imaging Center in March 2005, the impact was immediate. Along with offering advanced diagnostic technology, the surroundings are more beautiful, the area more private, and special touches like robes create a spa-like atmosphere. The Women s Imaging Center houses the absolute latest in imaging technology, says Jerry Flannery, RT, director of Radiology at TRMC. Mammography, dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) bone density scanning, stereotactic breast biopsy, and ultrasound are now all in one central location. has replaced its one-slice computed tomography (CT ) scanner with a new 16-slice version the highest-powered CT scanner in the area. CT scans, which doctors use to diagnose everything from strokes to injuries, create cross-sectional images of a section of the body. Using these images, which are called slices, radiologists construct 3-D images of structures within the body to aid in the diagnosis process. TRMC is committed to offering state-of-the-art imaging, and the new CT scanner is another example of that goal, says Jerry Flannery, RT, director of Radiology at TRMC. This tool will allow physicians access to the most advanced CT in the area, which will give patients added confidence in their diagnoses. With the 16-slice CT scanner, radiologists get a higherquality image and are able to scan more patients in a shorter period of time. This tool also allows the hospital to provide studies that weren t possible before, such as peripheral CT angiography studies for suspected vessel blockages and cardiac CT scanning to evaluate problems within the heart. In the past, patients with symptoms of blocked blood vessels required an invasive test called an arteriogram, where a catheter was inserted into the patient s body to view the blockage, Flannery says. With the 16-slice CT, we give the patient an injection and view the CT scan results to get virtually the same results. For more information about imaging services available at TRMC, visit our Web site at The 3,400-square-foot center, located just off the new admissions lobby on 20th Street, offers women easy access and privacy when coming to TRMC for diagnostic testing. The center s new digital equipment also speeds up the testing process, while making it much more comfortable and involving less radiation. New CT Scanner = More Power, Higher Resolution The new 16-slice computed tomography (CT) scanner at Tift Regional Medical Center gives physicians a more precise image, while allowing patients to undergo imaging exams in a fraction of the time of traditional tests. Photos courtesy of GE Healthcare The benefits of digital mammography are numerous, including eliminating timeconsuming film processing, enabling technologists to assess each image immediately after exposure, and reducing repeat imaging rates. For more information about the Women s Imaging Center, please call (229) p

5 o occupational health & wellness o occupational health & wellness The Smart Choice for Your Occupational Health Needs o Employers in Tift County and surrounding communities have trusted WorkSmart an occupa- tional health program offered through for years. Here are a few ways WorkSmart is continually expanding to meet the needs of employers and employees in our area. WorkSmart Offers New Drug Screening Method WorkSmart offers employers the latest and most advanced technology and equipment to screen employees for drug use, including oral fluid testing, urinalysis, and hair testing. WorkSmart Comes to You WorkSmart now has a nurse dedicated to performing on-site services such as drug screenings, hepatitis-b shots, and other minor medical services. This service benefits employers who cannot afford to have a number of employees away from work for the time it would take them to visit TRMC s clinic. WorkSmart has offered this program on a limited basis in the past and is now able to expand the service. Depending on the location of the business and the services requested there may be a nominal fee. To schedule an on-site service at your business, please call (229) or (800) , ext WorkSmart Breaks Ground on New Facility WorkSmart will soon expand its occupational health offerings with a new 10,000-square-foot facility located in Tifton on Union Road near the Target distribution center. Scheduled to open in November 2006, the new occupational health facility will have room for more services and allow WorkSmart to serve its customers even better. The expanded facility will provide additional treatment rooms, says Carla Hall, director of Occupational Medicine at WorkSmart. There will also be more drug-screening rooms for increased patient volume and privacy. WorkSmart will also offer expanded in-house X-ray capabilities and new on-site physical therapy options to help patients with workers compensation injuries. Patients will be able to have their exams and treatments completed all in one day and location, minimizing the time they ll be out of work, says Hall. Physical therapy will be performed on-site without having to drive to the hospital. New staff will be added to handle the increased capacity, including a full-time radiology technician and an injury tracker responsible for case management. The new location will be even more convenient for patients with additional parking, less traffic, and enhanced services. For more information about WorkSmart s new facility, located at 4468 Union Road, just west of I 75 in Tifton, please call (229) or (800) , ext s new WorkSmart facility and location was developed during the Chamber of Commerce s Industry Roundtable discussions with TRMC representatives another example of local businesses and TRMC working proactively on healthcare issues. o Oral fluid testing is the newest type of test offered by WorkSmart. This test can recognize drug use almost immediately, before the substance has had a chance to metabolize into the body s waste system. Urine testing, the standard test, is most effective after 24 to 72 hours. Depending on the substance and frequency of use, a urine test can detect drugs for up to 12 weeks, although most will appear only for 14 to 21 days. In addition, hair testing can accurately detect substance use for up to 90 days. However, it is not effective for recent drug use (within a week). Each test is noninvasive and follows guidelines mandated by the National Institute on Drug Abuse. By providing all three testing methods, WorkSmart is able to offer the most reliable screening programs in the area. To learn more about drug screening options offered at TRMC through WorkSmart, please call (229) or (800) , ext Pre-Employment Physicals Whether an employer needs basic physicals or functional assessment testing for its applicants, WorkSmart offers a full range of preemployment medical examinations. These examinations are tailored to the individual needs of the customer, and can be built around a basic template of tests or geared to a more specific job description. WorkSmart physicians can even help employers make the decision about whether to hire a given candidate for a given position. Cost for physicals begins at $40. To arrange pre-employment physical examinations for your applicants, please call (229) or (800) , ext New MRO Fees More Cost-Effective for Companies Employers who take advantage of WorkSmart s Medical Review Officer (MRO) for drug screens will see an advantage over an outside MRO. The average fee for an MRO involved in a drug screen is $4 per screen. Most providers simply add this cost into the amount of the screen, but WorkSmart s new policy is to charge a $100 yearly fee each December. Any company that screens more than 25 employees per year will not be charged an additional fee and will benefit from this policy versus a per-unit price increase. Any employer who uses fewer than 25 drug screens per year will be charged a prorated cost. With this new policy we will figure the fees in the best interests of the company, says Carla Hall, director of Occupational Medicine at WorkSmart. For example, many small employers won t drug screen as many as 25 employees in a year. Those companies are not going to be charged the annual fee, but rather a prorated fee based on the number of screens they had. On the other hand, we had one industrial plant last year that screened its entire workforce, continues Hall. A $100 annual fee is much more cost effective for them than a per-screen charge. By taking an individualized approach, we can best meet the needs of the employers in our community. For more details about WorkSmart s new MRO fee structure, please call (229) or (800) , ext

6 g 10 government affairs community events & foundation news c 11 g Say No to Higher Medical Costs After a three-year battle to place reasonable limits on the medical liability insurance premiums placed on physicians and hospitals in Georgia, Senate Bill 3 was signed into law on February 16, It immediately became one of the nation s strongest tort reform bills. Those reaping the greatest benefit of this reform are the millions of Georgia residents who now have enhanced access to health care. The reform modifications also bring good news for hospitals and physicians, including: $350,000 limit per entity for non-economic damages (Georgia hospitals can expect an immediate 25 percent savings on all medical malpractice losses) eliminates joint and several liability (defendants are only required to pay the percentage of damages the jury deems them responsible) strengthens expert witness provisions by requiring all experts to have actual professional knowledge in the area of practice allows healthcare providers to offer statements of apology and sympathy without the threat of the statement being used against them in court raises the standard in cases against hospital emergency rooms and physicians to clear and convincing evidence for gross negligence A Closer Look at CON The Certificate of Need (CON) Program in Georgia requires healthcare services and facilities to be developed in an economical manner. This ensures all citizens have access to quality, affordable healthcare services, according to the Georgia Hospital Association. Before building, introducing, or expanding a healthcare facility, the CON Program controls costs and unnecessary duplication of services by requiring the healthcare provider to file an application request with the Department of Community Health. The application must provide information such as proof the service isn t already sufficiently available and utilized, demonstrate that the healthcare service won t negatively impact other providers, and assure financial accessibility by charging reasonable fees. The CON program allows hospitals to retain the ability to cross-subsidize services to offset losses caused by essential services such as emergency centers, intensive care units, and inpatient medical wards. Also, studies conducted by the Big Three automakers have shown that healthcare costs are lower in states with CON regulations because over-utilization of services is minimized. Despite the bill s enactment into law in February, the constitutionality of the legislation is expected to be challenged by Georgia s trial lawyer lobby a process that can take from three to 10 years. When Georgia Governor Sonny Purdue signed Senate Bill 3 into law on February 16, 2005, it immediately became one of the nation s strongest tort reform bills. Richardson Selected as Chairman for GHA William T. Richardson, president and chief executive officer of Tift Regional Medical Center, was recently selected as chairman of the Georgia Hospital Association. Richardson has served as president and CEO of the 191-bed regional referral center since 1988 and previously held the CEO position at Bulloch Memorial Hospital in Statesboro, Georgia, and assistant administrator positions at West Georgia Medical Center in LaGrange, Georgia. He received his master s degree in hospital and health administration from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and his undergraduate degree from the University of Alabama. He holds a fellowship in the American College of Healthcare Executives and is affiliated with numerous professional organizations, including the Georgia Alliance for Community Hospitals and the American Hospital Association. TRMC Foundation: Your Donations Make a Difference Do you want to ensure that your grandchildren and future generations receive the same advanced health care close to home that you ve come to trust? You can provide for the future of health care in your community through personal or corporate contributions to Foundation. The Corporate Founder category of giving allows area businesses and industries to become members of the foundation through one of the following categories: Bronze Medallion $15,000 payable at $1,500 per year for 10 years Silver Medallion $30,000 payable at $3,000 per year for 10 years Gold Medallion $50,000 payable at $5,000 per year for 10 years Personal contributions in the following categories are recognized on s Wall of Honor. Friends a one-time gift of $500 Founder $10,000 payable at $1,000 per year for 10 years or a $25,000 deferred gift Key Founder $25,000 payable at $2,500 per year for 10 years or a $35,000 deferred gift Silver Founder $50,000 payable at $5,000 per year for 10 years or a $150,000 deferred gift Gold Founder $100,000 payable at $10,000 per year or a $250,000 deferred gift Platinum Founder a minimum gift of $250,000 (a portion paid upfront with payments for remainder); gifts at this level allow the donor to name designated areas of the medical center in honor or memory of someone For more information, please call (229) employees celebrate their recognition as a national top fundraiser for the American Cancer Society s Relay For Life in Gala a Sparkling Success The Foundation held its annual Hearts & Diamonds Gala on Saturday, Feb. 11 at the UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center. This black-tie event was a success, raising more than $50,000 for the Heart Safe Community program, which provides local organizations and agencies with automatic external defibrillators (AEDs). TRMC Employees and Relay For Life: A Winning Combination The American Cancer Society recently presented Tift Regional Medical Center with an award recognizing the hospital s employee team as a national top fundraiser for Relay For Life in The TRMC team was ranked 37th in the nation and sixth in Georgia, raising a record total of $50,041. This year will be even better, as TRMC employees have set their Relay For Life goal for 2006 at $60,000. This year s Tift County Relay event will be held April 28 and 29 at the track of Abraham Baldwin College. TRMC is also active with Relay For Life projects in Turner, Worth, Cook, and Berrien counties through the hospital s HealthPlus clinics. c

7 TIFT COUNTY HOSPITAL AUTHORITY Board of Trustees John B. Prince III, Board Chairman Jimmy Allen Sandro Blalock John Brownlee, Finance Committee Chairman Dallas Hunt Joel M. Johnson, MD Joyce Mims Rosemary Short Sam Sims TIFT REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER Administration William T. Richardson, FACHE, president & CEO Dennis Crum, vice president & CFO Raymond Moreno, MD, vice president, Medical Affairs Douglas Hurt, vice president, Professional Services Diane Patrick, RN, vice president, Patient Care Services Sarah Thompson, vice president, Operations Ellen Eaton, director of Human Resources Christopher Efaw, director of Marketing and Planning Angela King, RN, director of Quality Management A Full Spectrum of Services Tift Regional provides a widerange of services, including six Centers of Excellence offering advanced, expert care in the following areas: cardiopulmonary rehabilitation dialysis center dietitian counseling women s health emergency center endoscopy HealthPlus Medical Office Centers Heart and Vascular Center Hospice of Tift Area laboratory lithotripsy occupational therapy oncology center pharmacy physical therapy radiology services respiratory care speech therapy Summit Rehabilitation Center Surgery Center surgical/orthopedic ward WorkSmart Occupational Health Transitional Care Center Transitions Tift Regional M E D I C A L C E N T E R 901 East 18th Street Tifton, Georgia PRSRT STD U.S. Postage PAID Lynchburg, VA Permit No. 830