SR 242: Stephens County Hospital; congratulate

This is a ceremonial resolution from the Georgia Senate, not a change to state law. It recognizes Stephens County Hospital, located in Northeast Georgia, for being ranked the No. 1 Small Hospital in Georgia by Georgia Trend magazine in 2024, a ranking based on the hospital's performance in a Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services value-based purchasing program. The resolution lists the hospital's achievements, including high emergency room retention rates, a large increase in surgical volume, reduced patient hospital stays, low infection rates, Joint Commission recognition for hip and knee surgery, and status as a designated stroke center. The Senate formally congratulates the hospital and directs the Secretary of the Senate to send a copy of the resolution to the hospital for its records.

• Formally congratulates Stephens County Hospital on being named Georgia's No. 1 Small Hospital by Georgia Trend magazine for 2024.
• Commends the hospital's dedication to providing healthcare services and extends best wishes for its continued success.
• Directs the Secretary of the Senate to prepare and send a copy of the resolution to Stephens County Hospital.
• Does not create, amend, or repeal any Georgia statute, funding, or regulation.

Stephens County Hospital and its staff, board, and administration are the direct subject of this resolution. Patients in Northeast Georgia who rely on the hospital's services are referenced in the resolution's description of its performance.

This resolution has no legal or regulatory effect. It serves as a formal, symbolic honor from the Georgia Senate, giving public recognition to the hospital's reported performance record without changing any law, funding, or requirement affecting hospitals in Georgia.

• The resolution's preamble ('whereas' clauses) describes the hospital's award from Georgia Trend magazine and cites specific performance metrics such as a 300 percent increase in surgical volume and a 33 percent reduction in patient length of stay.
• The resolved clause has the Senate congratulate the hospital and commend its healthcare services.
• A further resolved clause directs the Secretary of the Senate to make a copy of the resolution available for distribution to the hospital.

1. 2025-02-24Senate Read and Adopted (Senate)
2. 2025-02-21Senate Hopper (Senate)

• Bo Hatchett (R, SD-050)Primary sponsor
• Blake Tillery (R, SD-019)

• hospital recognition
• Stephens County
• Georgia Senate resolution
• rural healthcare