The Center for Rural Prosperity and Innovation, a branch of the Georgia Department of Agriculture, has awarded Emanuel Medical Center (EMC) in Swainsboro a grant of $110,038. The funding will be used to purchase a replacement echocardiogram system and a new bronchoscope, allowing the hospital to perform bedside bronchoscopies.
“Through Georgia’s Rural Center, we are making significant investments in healthcare, workforce development, and education in Rural Georgia, while ensuring agriculture – our state’s #1 industry – is well-represented in future development planning,” said Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler J Harper. “Combined with the Rural Center’s recent investment in Evans Memorial Hospital in Claxton, these investments ensure families across rural Georgia have access to quality care close to their communities.”
Emanuel Medical Center serves a remote area with high rates of chronic illness. The hospital provides between $500,000 and $600,000 per month in uncompensated care but has maintained a CMS 4-Star or 5-Star rating every year. It is also consistently ranked among the top five hospitals by Georgia Trend.
The expansion of cardiovascular services at EMC comes as Emanuel County faces an obesity rate of about 50% and an adult diabetes rate near 14%. These health challenges contribute significantly to cardiovascular disease rates locally. Since Dr. Randall Brown joined EMC as a cardio thoracic surgeon, the number of echocardiograms and bronchoscopies performed at the hospital has increased by 53%.
“The Center for Rural Prosperity and Innovation, a branch of the Georgia Department of Agriculture, stepped up to provide vital funding to replace the aging echocardiogram system and a new bronchoscope to enable bedside bronchoscopies. These units will allow EMC to continue to grow Dr. Brown’s practice and to expand and enhance the scope of services available in Emanuel and surrounding counties,” said Dave Flanders, Operations and Systems Consultant at Emanuel Medical Center.
“Emanual Medical serves a critical sector of rural Georgia, and Georgia’s Rural Center is proud to partner with EMC to continue its medical service to Swainsboro and the surrounding region,” said Charlie Fiveash, Executive Director of Georgia’s Rural Center. “We are grateful to the local legislative delegation, particularly Representative Parrish and Senator Burns, for supporting the Rural Center’s efforts to support health care initiatives in rural east/central Georgia.”
Georgia’s Rural Center has invested over $408 million in rural projects since its founding in 2018. With only $3 million from center funds leveraged so far—a return ratio of 132:1—its work has impacted all 159 counties across metro, suburban, and rural areas through regional projects.
The Georgia Department of Agriculture supports agricultural activities throughout the state through various programs such as agritourism initiatives that promote agricultural experiences statewide. The department also works with farmers via partnerships like the Georgia Grown program that connects producers directly with consumers. In addition to fostering agriculture—the state’s leading industry—it protects consumer interests by regulating food safety standards across Georgia.
Commissioner Tyler Harper leads these efforts as head of the department since his appointment.
