Augusta University President Russell T. Keen joined Georgia Gov. Brian P. Kemp, University System of Georgia Chancellor Sonny Perdue and Wellstar President and CEO Ketul J. Patel for the grand opening of the Wellstar Columbia County Medical Center in Grovetown on Tuesday, Aug. 4.

The event celebrated the completion of Georgia’s newest hospital and the continued partnership between Wellstar Health System, the University System of Georgia, the Medical College of Georgia, Wellstar MCG Health and Augusta University. This new facility will expand access to care while providing opportunities for students and residents to learn, train and prepare for the future of healthcare in Georgia.

Wellstar Columbia County Medical Center will be open to serve the community and see patients on Wednesday, Aug. 26.

“This hospital will change lives,” Keen said during the grand opening of the Wellstar Columbia County Medical Center. “It will change lives by training tomorrow’s healthcare workforce, and it will save lives by bringing world-class care home to Columbia County, the CSRA and the state of Georgia. That is our mission. That is the partnership promise, and that is why today matters.”

Keen said it took an entire community of leaders to make this medical center a reality.

“More than a decade ago, a group of leaders looked at Columbia County and saw what could be: a state-of-the-art teaching hospital with exceptional care close to home and a new generation of healthcare professionals trained right here,” Keen said. “Today, what seemed like a long and winding road has finally become a reality. It is the power, the partnership and the perseverance and the understanding that none of this happens alone. When looking at the number of people committed to making this happen, it could best be described as a marathon relay race as numerous people and teams involved pass the baton for those who followed them to complete the task.”

“This hospital will change lives. It will change lives by training tomorrow’s healthcare workforce, and it will save lives by bringing world-class care home to Columbia County, the CSRA and the state of Georgia. That is our mission. That is the partnership promise, and that is why today matters.”- Augusta University President Russell T. Keen

Specifically, Keen said this hospital wouldn’t have been possible without the support of the governor, the chancellor, the Board of Regents, the House speaker, past and current Columbia County commissioners and members of the local legislative delegation.

“Gov. Brian Kemp has stood behind Augusta University and our community every step of the way,” Keen said. “Chancellor Sonny Perdue championed this partnership from the beginning of his tenure and helped carry it across the finish line from concept to reality. The USG Board of Regents including our own Regent Jim Hull have been tireless advocates for this university and for health care across our state.”

“I want to thank House Speaker Jon Burns and all the members of our state legislature who supported this partnership and all of our federal delegation for championing the health of communities that we all serve,” Keen added. “To the leaders and the citizens of Columbia County, thank you. Thank you for trusting us with the vision rom Day One.”

The governor said this new hospital in Grovetown will have a far-reaching impact on healthcare across the state.

“It has been the top priority in my administration really since Day One to put patients first, growing access to quality and affordable healthcare,” Kemp said. “This new hospital will not only fill an important need in this part of our state, but it will also build on our ongoing efforts to connect Georgians to quality healthcare, no matter their zip code.”

This new, 100-inpatient-bed hospital offers a Level II trauma center, on-site imaging, state-of-the-art labs and operating rooms, along with a medical office building for primary care and women’s health needs that will bring a high level of care to this ever-growing region, Kemp said.

“Before today, this was the largest county in the state without a designated hospital. And now it will directly benefit from expert care and quality service,” Kemp said. “This facility will also help prepare the next generation of healthcare providers and leaders in nearby MCG for their careers in medicine and training those who will serve in counties all over this state.”

Residents in nearby rural areas such as Lincoln, McDuffie and Taliaferro counties will also benefit from this new facility, Kemp said.

“There is no doubt today will serve rural Georgians well,” Kemp said, commending Augusta University, the Medical College of Georgia, the chancellor, Wellstar, and local and state leaders for their tremendous support of this project over the past few years. “This is an incredible day. You don’t get to do this every day in any state in the country, much less here in Columbia County, Georgia.”

“It has been the top priority in my administration really since Day One to put patients first, growing access to quality and affordable healthcare. This new hospital will not only fill an important need in this part of our state, but it will also build on our ongoing efforts to connect Georgians to quality healthcare, no matter their zip code.” -Georgia Gov. Brian P. Kemp

Kemp specifically thanked Columbia County Chairman Doug Duncan and former commissioners Ron Cross and Trey Allen for their leadership in helping to bring this hospital to Grovetown.

“You are brave policy makers here in Columbia County and that is not always easy to do, but you’ve done some great things. This is one of them,” he said. “And your legacy will be served well for the tough decisions that you’ve had to make.”

The governor also thanked State Reps. Gary Richardson, Mark Newton, Rob Leverett, Rob Clifton and State Sen. Max Burns along with U.S. Rep. Rick Allen for their continued support of not only this project, but for initiatives throughout the state of Georgia.

“Projects like this require the support from all levels,” Kemp said. “And I want to thank them and their partnership in the General Assembly and on the local level throughout my last seven and a half years, not just on this project, but many things that we’ve been able to do in the state. It was truly a team effort.”

The project also would not have been possible without the leadership of Keen, MCG Dean David Hess, MD, the Board of Regents and the chancellor, Kemp said.

“Russell and Mrs. Keen have been a big part of that with your leadership over the years and across our state, but certainly here in Augusta and at the university. I want to thank Dean Hess as well,” he said. “Great leaders making tough decisions a lot of times to keep our state moving forward.”

“When you define quality of life, healthcare has to be included. That’s what people look for when they’re going to move and decide where they’re going to go. Columbia County does an amazing job attracting and growing citizens that way here.” - University System of Georgia Chancellor Sonny Perdue

Perdue agreed, saying it takes a “real village” to bring a massive project like this hospital to fruition.

“We, the University System of Georgia, Augusta University and the Medical College of Georgia are especially pleased with the partnership that we’ve had with Wellstar,” Perdue said. “When you define quality of life, healthcare has to be included. That’s what people look for when they’re going to move and decide where they’re going to go. Columbia County does an amazing job attracting and growing citizens that way here.”

Perdue also commended Kemp for understanding that higher education is the “pathway for better life and better prosperity.”

“He has prioritized our state’s critical needs for more physicians and healthcare professionals. So as governor, he committed to this partnership early on with Augusta University and the Board of Regents,” Perdue said. “I believe that’s why we’re sitting here today.”

“Today’s celebration is a powerful example of what can happen when healthcare leaders, community leaders, educators, public officials and residents come together around a shared vision.” - Wellstar CEO Ketul J. Patel

Patel said it is an honor to expand healthcare services to this region and beyond.

“When a new hospital comes to life, it creates opportunities that will benefit a community for generations,” Patel said. “This hospital was designed to grow alongside this region, with flexible spaces, advanced technology and a strong foundation for the future. Most importantly, every decision was guided by one question: how do we best serve the people who will receive care here?”

“Today’s celebration is a powerful example of what can happen when healthcare leaders, community leaders, educators, public officials and residents come together around a shared vision,” he added. “We are proud to be part of that partnership, and we’re excited about the impact this medical center will have on patients and families for years to come.”