The Atlanta-based company which recently took over operation of Hutcheson Medical Center is working to revive the community hospital's reputation in part by helping support community events.
Apollo MD purchased the bankrupt hospital earlier this year and recently invited the community out to see the changes at the renamed Cornerstone Medical Center.
The grounds came alive during a community-wide Family Fun Day with inflatables for children, the SWAT team, firefighters and police officers all showing up to meet with children, and doctors from the hospital turning out with their families to greet the community.
"We are excited to be a part of the community," said Dr. Boykin Robinson, divisional president of Apollo MD, the Atlanta-based physicians group that began staffing Hutcheson's emergency room with its doctors last June, before the hospital closed in December. "We are excited to bring health care back to the Fort Oglethorpe area. The volume we see proves every day that this community needs a hospital."
Cornerstone Medical Center CEO Jessica Long said since reopening as Cornerstone, the ER has seen a steady stream of 55 to 60 patients daily, with that number sometimes rising into the 90s.
"We are now able to admit patients to the hospital," said Long. "It's a smaller medical staff. As we grow, we will recruit more physicians."
Dr. Paul Owensby is in charge of the ER.
"Dr. Paul Owensby's leadership has been a breath of fresh air," Long said. "He is very energetic and works well with nurses and staff. We have one floor, the third floor, open with 12 inpatient beds. It will be a 16-bed floor by this fall."
Owensby said in the interest of all involved, hospital officials are taking things slowly.
"We don't want to get in the same situation the hospital was in before," he said, explaining that more patient spots will be opened up down the line. "We utilize resources to make sure the patients get good care. We are trying to get doctors on board to see the hospital in a positive light. Apollo employees want this to be the cornerstone of the community."
To that end, said Long, Cornerstone Medical Center sponsored this year's fireworks for Patriotism at the Post in Fort Oglethorpe.
"We look forward to finding other ways to partner with the community," she said, also noting that the hospital is in the process of going through accreditation, a voluntary, third-party assessment.
"We are focused on improving," said Long. "It's been nice to come in with community support. Everyone wants the hospital to be open."
To learn more, visit cornerstonemedicalcenter.org.