Senate Resolution 242
By: Senators Hatchett of the 50th and Tillery of the 19th
A RESOLUTION
Congratulating Stephens County Hospital; and for other purposes.
WHEREAS, a proud partner to the communities in its region, Stephens County Hospital
provides crucial and excellent care to its patients and has been named the 2024 No. 1 Small
Hospital in the State of Georgia by Georgia Trend magazine, earning a top ranking among
hospitals in the state with 100 or less beds; and
WHEREAS, Georgia Trend magazine evaluates Georgia hospitals that participate in the
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Hospital Value-Based Purchasing program,
ranking them by a total performance score derived from clinical outcomes, person and
community engagement, safety and efficiency, and cost reduction; and
WHEREAS, a pillar of healthcare for families in Northeast Georgia for more than 88 years,
Stephens County Hospital has achieved award-winning goals and tremendous growth under
its current administration and board leadership; and
WHEREAS, the hospital's exceptional performance includes retaining 97 percent of
emergency room patients for the entirety of their care without transfer, achieving a 300
percent increase in surgical volume over the past three years with nearly 20 percent being
emergent surgeries made possible by maintaining 24/7 surgical call coverage, and reducing
patient length of stay by 33 percent in the past year; and
WHEREAS, the hospital has demonstrated superior patient safety with a hospital-acquired
infection rate 10 times better than the national average and a surgical site infection rate five
times better than the national average; and
WHEREAS, Stephens County Hospital has additionally achieved "Center of Excellence"
status with the Joint Commission for hip and knee replacement surgery and is currently
Georgia's newest designated stroke center; and
WHEREAS, it is abundantly fitting and proper that this exemplary healthcare institution be
appropriately honored during this special time.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body
congratulate Stephens County Hospital upon being named the No. 1 Small Hospital in
Georgia by Georgia Trend magazine, commend its continued dedication to providing
exceptional healthcare services, and extend best wishes for continued success.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed
to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for distribution to Stephens County
Hospital.