Taylor Regional News

Taylor Regional Hospital participates in the
Georgia Rural Hospital Tax Credit Program



New MRI at Taylor Regional Hospital provides better imaging and patient comfort

September 5, 2019


Taylor Regional Hospital is proud to present its newest addition to the Medical Imagining Services Department, the MAGNETOM Espree 1.5T MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) System by Siemens. MRI has become an invaluable diagnostic tool as it offers the most accurate picture of the internal body. This latest improvement of Taylor Regional Hospital will prove to be greatly beneficial in clinical application and the patient exam experience.

Taylor Regional Hospital’s new MRI boasts TIM (total imaging matrix) imaging performance, offering pinpoint accuracy image quality, faster imaging speed to decrease patient appointment times, and image flexibility to reduce patient repositioning for greater comfort. Jon Green, CEO of Taylor Health Care Group expressed the importance “to our community that we provide the latest diagnostic technology to be a quality healthcare provider. This is one of many steps that we have taken and will continue to make strides in this arena.”

MRIs are notoriously narrow and often feel confining, but the MAGNETOM Espree MRI has a 70cm bore and 30cm of face space, which is about double the space than a traditional MRI. The scanner is remarkably short, which allows patients to have exams with their head out or lay feet-first, reducing anxiety related to claustrophobia. With a weight limit of up to 550 pounds, more patients will have access to MRI exams, close to their home.

“I am so proud that we can accommodate more patients of varying needs, to decrease the inconvenience of out of town procedures, and make healthcare more accessible to our community,” said Debra Ross, Director of Medical Imaging Services. Debra Ross and her team look forward to the MAGNETOM Espree MRI helping physicians to diagnose extremely challenging diseases and view soft-tissue structures near and around bones, blood vessels, organs and the brain with a high level of confidence from the incredible clarity and detail from the new MRI.

The installation occurred over the span of two months and required the roof of the MRI room to be opened and a crane to extract the old MRI unit and install the new unit due to the enormity of size and weight. The hospital experienced no down time with MRI exams as a mobile unit was used to ensure a smooth transition. Taylor Regional Hospital is looking forward to all the benefits this MRI upgrade will offer to the patient experience and to the health and wellness of the community it serves.



Way Brothers Ford Drive 4 UR Community Event

July 3, 2019


The test-drive, fundraising event generated money for Taylor Memorial Care Foundation, helping to support the health and well-being of the local community.

Way Brothers Ford, Taylor Regional Hospital and members of the local community helped raise much-needed funds for the Taylor Memorial Care Foundation at a recent test-drive event, as part of Ford Motor Company’s Drive 4 UR Community Program. More than 300 Pulaski County area residents test-drove one of seven Ford vehicles at Taylor Regional Hospital last May and Ford Motor Company donated $20 per test-drive, with funds of $6,000 going towards the support and improvement of the facilities, equipment and services of Taylor Regional Hospital.

In an effort to go further, Ford developed the Drive 4 UR Community program, which is modeled after the successful Drive 4 UR School program. To date, Ford Dealerships across the United States have helped raise more than $40 million for local schools and nonprofits, thanks to their hard work and the Drive 4 UR School and Drive 4 UR Community programs.

“I am more than thrilled that so many people from the local community turned out to support the Taylor Memorial Care Foundation and I am proud to be a Ford Dealer. Participants had the chance to take a fun, casual drive in one of our vehicles, while lending our community a much-needed helping hand,” said Hatcher Way of Way Brothers.

About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company is a global company based in Dearborn, Michigan. The company designs, manufactures, markets and services a full line of Ford cars, trucks, SUVs, electrified vehicles and Lincoln luxury vehicles, provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company and delivers leadership in electrification, autonomous vehicles and mobility solutions. Ford employs approximately 203,000 people worldwide. For more information regarding Ford, its products and Ford Motor Credit Company, please visit corporate.ford.com.

Pictured (from left to right)  

Karen McLeod - CFO, Butch Zell - Way Brothers, Jon Green - CEO, Abby Vickers - Marketing



1st Annual R.J. Taylor Memorial Care Foundation Golf Tournament

May 18, 2019


Taylor Regional Hospital held its first annual Golf Tournament on Saturday, May 18th at Southern Hills Golf and Country Club to benefit the R.J. Taylor Memorial Care Foundation. As the culminating event of National Hospital Week, The R.J. Taylor Memorial Care Charity Golf Tournament followed a four person scramble format and offered 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winnings, along with various door prizes, longest drive and closest to the pin contests as well as a Way Brothers sponsored Hole in One Truck Contest.

First place was awarded to Dennis Vickers, Eric Vickers, Gregg Vickers and Dr. Don Vickers of D.M. Vickers & Associates, CPAs. The second place winners included Tod Richardson, Mike Wynne, Eddie Atkins and Wendell Lucas of T&A (Technology & Application Services). Third place was awarded to Eric Evans, Tom Flaminio, Matt Jolly and Drew Stewart of the Kings Medical Group team.

D.M. Vickers & Associates, CPAs, Kings Medical Group and Partners Benefit Group were the headlining Platinum Sponsors of the event. Other major sponsors included: Cherokee Brick, ComSouth Powered by Hargray, ITC (Innovative Therapy Concepts), Radiology Associates of Macon, Revenue Cycle Associates, SunMark Bank and T&A (Technology & Application Services). A huge “thank you” goes to the hole sponsors, prize/contest sponsors, lunch sponsor, Southern Hills Golf and Country Club and the golfers who helped make this charity golf tournament such a successful fundraising event. The outpouring of generosity received for this tournament was inspiring and will directly go towards improving the health and well-being of Pulaski County and the surrounding areas. 

Partners Benefit Group Team Picture (from left to right)  

Representative Shaw Blackmon, Sole Pulaski County Commissioner Jenna Mashburn, Representative Noel Williams, Lee Wreaper, Lee West



Taylor Health Care Group Announces New Head of Health System

October 1, 2018


On Monday, October 1, 2018, Taylor Regional Hospital will turn the page to a new chapter in its history upon the retirement of Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Skip McDannald.
Three years ago, Dr. McDannald was invited by the TRH Board of Trustees to devise a plan to put Taylor Regional Hospital on the road to recovery, and he graciously accepted the position of CEO. The key component of McDannald’s plan was to formulate an affiliation and oversight agreement between our hospital and the Hospital Authority of Pulaski County, which he has now successfully completed. The hospital is now healthy and charting a continued course of operational excellence. At this time, it has been determined by both the board and McDannald that Taylor is now at an appropriate stage to shift gears from the recovery phase into a continued operational phase for the hospital.

Dr. McDannald insists that the effort that has been put forth in reviving the hospital would not have been possible without the support of the medical staff of Taylor Health Care Group, the entire staff at Taylor Regional Hospital, and the incredibly strong community support that has been provided by the residents of Hawkinsville and Pulaski County. “Our community has been our greatest ally through both its financial support and its continued use of all services offered by the organization.”

At the end of September, Dr. Skip McDannald will be leaving the day to day operations of TRH but will remain available to the Board of Trustees for the completion of several ongoing projects. The Board has selected Mr. Jonathon Green, currently Chief Operating Officer, as Dr. McDannald’s replacement. “I leave the hospital in good hands and expect nothing but the best in the future,” states McDannald.
Taylor Health Care Group is delighted to have Mr. Green assume this role and feels confident he will do an excellent job leading the organization on to a successful future.



Taylor Regional Hospital Announces New Board Members

March 8, 2017


Taylor Regional Hospital is proud to announce the addition of four (4) new members to its Board of Trustees, Mr. Ken Hardy, Mr. W. Mansfield (Manse) Jennings, III, Mr. Donald Johnson, and Mr. R. G. Lamar. These gentlemen are wonderful representatives of their vocations and bring with them a wealth of knowledge that will help further the growth and prosperity of Taylor Regional Hospital.

Ken is the Vice President of Production and Finance for Hardy Farms Peanuts, Inc. He is a 1989 graduate of Hawkinsville High School and a 1993 graduate of the University of Georgia with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture. Ken is very active in the Hawkinsville community, and is currently serving his second term as a Hawkinsville City Commissioner. In addition to his City Commissioner Office, he is also a member of the Hawkinsville – Pulaski County Development Authority. Ken enjoys hunting, cooking, and coaching his childrens' sports teams. He also enjoys exercising, especially participating in CrossFit training. Ken is married to the former Miss Janet Shumate of Rome, Georgia and together they have two children Trae, 10 years old and Kate, 8 years old.

Mr. Jennings, a native of Hawkinsville, graduated from Georgia Southern University in 1981 with a BS in Physics. He then returned to Hawkinsville in 1982 to begin full-time employment at Hawkinsville Telephone Company (now ComSouth). In his role at the telephone company, Mr. Jennings worked with the central office, helping with the installation of the first digital switch, and participated in bringing alternative long distance to the area. He also assisted with the cellular service launch, internet and computer services, and security monitoring. Additionally, he was involved with the acquisition of the cable network with expansion of both video and data services. Mr. Jennings currently sits on the boards of ComSouth, Sunmark Bank, and Pulaski Tomorrow, as well as the Visitors Board at the McDuffie Center for Strings at Mercer University. He is a member of the Hawkinsville Rotary Club and past chair of the Hawkinsville/Pulaski Chamber of Commerce.

Donald was born and raised in Hawkinsville, GA. He is a graduate of Valdosta State University who came home to work in the family business, McCranie Tractor Co, where he managed the export division for many years. Following his time at McCranie, he managed the Case IH store in Hawkinsville. Mr. Johnson currently works with Fickling & Co in the Commercial Division, and he is also a pecan grower. Donald has three daughters: Mary Catherine is a senior at UGA, Laura is a Junior at Valdosta State University, and Elizabeth is a Senior at Westfield and will be headed to UGA next fall. His hobbies include cooking, photography, hunting, fishing and traveling.

R. G. Lamar, son of former board of trustee member Bob Lamar, is a managing Partner of Lamar Pecan Company. He is a graduate of Oglethorpe University with a BA of American Studies. He also serves as current Vice President of the Georgia Pecan Growers Association and serves as a member of the Board at the Heart of Georgia Peanut and Gin. In his free time, R. G. enjoys golf, running, and reading and is a member of Houston Lake Presbyterian Church. In February, he married Mrs. Rachel Lamar and established a home in Hawkinsville, where they look forward to building their life together. 


Taylor Regional Hospital is Approved Lung-Cancer Screening Facility

March 8, 2017


The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has recently recognized Taylor Regional Hospital as an approved radiology imaging facility for lung cancer screening through LDCT (low-dose computed tomography) for patients meeting certain eligibility requirements.  
According to CMS, evidence has determined the need for annual LDCT lung cancer screening to be provided as a preventive service benefit for eligible Medicare Part B beneficiaries as a part of their annual wellness check. The screening will be provided yearly and covered at 100% for Medicare Part B recipients meeting all of the following eligibility requirements:  Age 55 – 77 years, Asymptomatic (no signs or symptoms of lung cancer), Tobacco smoking history of at least 30 pack-years (one pack-year = smoking one pack per day for one year; 1 pack = 20 cigarettes), Current smoker or one who has quit smoking within the last 15 years, and Receives an appropriately written order for LDCT lung cancer screening from their physician .

Taylor Regional is very pleased to be able to provide this service to members of its community. This could be the first step in early detection for many people with a history of inhaled tobacco use. Debra Ross, Director of Medical Imaging has said “this is a very quick and easy study for the patient and could save their life. I’m so happy that Medicare has approved coverage for this so that patients have the assurance that their health is at its best and don’t have to live with the uncertainty of early stage lung cancer.” 

Before your first lung cancer screening, you’ll need to schedule an appointment with your doctor to discuss the benefits and risks of lung cancer screening. You and your doctor can then decide whether lung cancer screening is right for you. 

More information on this service is available at medicare.gov. To find out if you may eligible to receive this potentially lifesaving screening provided by Taylor Regional Hospital, speak with your primary care physician today.  


RJ Taylor Memorial Care Foundation receives donation from St. Luke's Episcopal Church

January 4, 2017


Bleckley Memorial Hospital and Jodi's Gifts has partnered to open The Gift Shop in the main lobby of the hospital. The Gift Shop is currently being managed by Volunteers. Please make a point to drop in, shop and thank the Volunteers for their service and commitment to offering services to complement our hospital. Hours of operation are from 9am - 4pm Monday through Thursday and from 9am - 1pm on Friday.
If you or someone you know is interested in volunteering, please contact Administration at 478-271-6563.


Taylor Regional Infection Prevention Nurse is new President of Georgia Infection Prevention Network

October 1, 2016


Sarah "Laurie" Quinn, RN, Infection Prevention Nurse Director of Taylor Health Care Group which covers Taylor Regional Hospital in Hawkinsville and Bleckley Memorial Hospital in Cochran has been elected to serve as board president of the Georgia Infection Prevention Network (GIPN) for the year 2017.

The Georgia Infection Prevention Network (GIPN) is a statewide, multi-professional organization whose purpose is to serve the needs and goals common to all disciplines involved in infection prevention, control, and epidemiology activities in Georgia.

The Four Goals of GIPN are to: Facilitate effective statewide communications and cohesiveness among individuals involved in infection prevention, control, and epidemiology. Act as a resource for infection prevention, control, and epidemiology needs in Georgia. Promote standardization of evidence-based infection prevention, control, and epidemiology practices. Assess and meet the infection prevention, control, and epidemiology education needs of its membership.

Laurie began her career in nursing 23 years ago when she graduated from Middle Georgia State College and passed her state board exam. Laurie has 13 years experience in the specialized field of infection prevention. Laurie has been employed by Taylor Health Group intermittently since 1994. Her background includes working as an infection control nurse at Navicent Health Organization in Macon, Georgia. Laurie has been an active member of GIPN since joining the organization in 2004. She was elected to the board in 2015 where she served as Membership Chair for 2 years. Laurie looks forward to serving GIPN. 

Address

222 Perry Hwy
Hawkinsville, GA 31036

Contacts

Phone: 478-783-0200 
Fax: 478-892-0518