Wellstar Columbia County Medical Center is nearing completion and is scheduled to open Aug. 26, according to a June 3 announcement. The six-story, 100-bed hospital is located at 5000 Gateway Blvd. in Grovetown.
“It’s phenomenal to get to this level of substantial completion with construction because it means we’re that much closer to increasing access to care across the Central Savannah River Area (CSRA),” said Ralph Turner, president of Wellstar MCG Health Medical Center.
The new medical center expands healthcare services already offered in Augusta for more rural counties like McDuffie and provides additional learning opportunities for students at the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University. Students will train using the latest technologies in healthcare.
“This is 12 years of a dream that began with a commitment to better serve this community,” said Augusta University President Russell Keen. “What’s being built here is an investment in the CSRA as well as an important part of strengthening the healthcare workforce across Georgia through Wellstar MCG Health, Augusta University and the Medical College of Georgia.”
Wellstar Columbia County will feature new technologies that improve how healthcare is delivered. The hospital will have dedicated intensive care unit rooms, but every patient room can function as an ICU room if needed. Patient rooms will also include cameras for telehealth visits with specialists or family members.
“That is the pivotal piece of the telehealth technology at a community hospital. We’ll be able to digitally connect specialty providers at Wellstar MCG Health in downtown Augusta with patients and their care team in Columbia County without having to be in the building,” said Tammy Moore, chief nursing officer of Wellstar Columbia County.
A digital whiteboard will display each patient’s name and medical history for greater visibility between patients and their care teams, helping ensure up-to-date information when making diagnoses or decisions at bedside. Larger windows were incorporated into design plans for more natural light, which has been shown to positively affect patient well-being.
A 92,000-square-foot medical office building adjacent to the hospital—featuring 11 outpatient clinics—remains under construction and is expected to open later this fall.
Wellstar Health System invests millions annually in charity care and community benefit programs; it operates more than 400 locations across north and west Georgia; includes facilities specializing in cancer, heart and vascular health, neurology, orthopedics, women’s health, and pediatrics; has received Magnet designation for nursing excellence at multiple facilities; aims to improve health outcomes throughout its service area; and Candice Saunders serves as president and chief executive officer—all according to the official website.
