news

Registration for Archbold's CNA Training Program is now open. The program, which started in 2017 as a collaboration with WorkSource Southwest Georgia, is an innovative approach to combat the shortage of qualified Certified Nursing Assistants, particularly in the health system's long-term care facilities in Camilla, Pelham and Thomasville. The unique on-site training program helps meet the needs of individuals interested in a career as a CNA. Students selected for the ten-week training...

Archbold Memorial Hospital has announced its inaugural class of internal medicine residents. These five physicians will spend the next three years at Archbold, rotating between specialties with an emphasis on internal medicine. The residents will begin their program at Archbold Medical Center, in July 2022. The class includes: Ragin Alex, MD, from Elmsford, New York, attended the American University of Antigua College of Medicine. Bilal Bajwa, MD, from Dublin, Ohio,...

In Archbold's fiscal year 2020, $60.6 million in community benefit was provided to the region. Using a methodology defined by the IRS for documenting and reporting this benefit, this number includes care for uninsured and underinsured patients; unreimbursed costs for patients in programs like Medicaid; outreach to underserved communities; general health improvement initiatives; support of health professions education; and support for community-building activities in the region. Archbold...

Archbold is pleased to welcome physician assistant Rachel Fennell, PA-C, to the medical staff. Fennell earned a Bachelor of Science degree in dietetics from Florida State University. She earned a Masters's in physician assistant studies at Keiser University. Fennell will be treating patients at Archbold Urgent Care Center in Thomasville.

Due to the decrease in COVID-19 hospitalizations and positive cases in the community, Archbold has revised its visitor policy effective Monday, March 7, 2022. Most significantly, there are no longer restrictions on the number of visitors per day for non-COVID inpatients at Archbold Memorial Hospital and its outpatient departments. Visitors will still be required to sign in at the security check-in desk upon arrival. Patients at the hospital for an outpatient diagnostic procedure...

Archbold recently named Emily Vezina, MSN, RN, CPPS, as Vice President of Quality and Patient Safety for the health system. Vezina has over 15 years of healthcare experience, including direct patient care as a critical care nurse and nearly eight years in hospital leadership roles. Vezina comes to Archbold from Kaleida Health-Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital/DeGraff Medical Park in Buffalo, New York, where she served as Chief Quality and Patient Safety Officer. “The Vice President...

Thomasville, GA---Archbold Medical Center’s new Internal Medicine Residency Program has received initial accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). The program, which will participate in the 2021-2022 National Resident Matching Program (NRMP), is recruiting for its first class of five residents that will start July 1, 2022. The development of this residency program is an effort to train and retain physicians in South Georgia. “Medical...

Georgia Trend Magazine has named Archbold’s Grady General Hospital as one of the best small hospitals in the state, landing third in recognition. One placement higher than last year. Georgia Trend Magazine classifies the hospitals as “small” if they have fewer than 100 beds. The 60-bed facility in Cairo, Georgia has earned a spot in the top five small hospital category over the last six years. “This recognition shows our long-term commitment to patient quality and...

Archbold Northside Center for Behavioral Health and Psychiatric Care has opened a new Center for Change Outpatient Clinic in Thomasville. The psychiatric clinic aims to provide patients therapy services that do not require a prolonged stay at the facility. A dedicated team of mental health professionals will assess and provide an individual treatment plan to help patients cope with stressors and manage their mental health. Conditions treated include depression, bipolar disorder, dementia...

"I couldn't have done it alone," said JT Thompson, MSN, FNP-C, CNS/PMH. Thompson credits his long-standing career at Archbold to the extraordinary administration and staff. "My coworkers and colleagues have helped shape me into the person I am today. I have learned so much from them throughout the decades. My passion for mental health and this community has also served a big role in my career, and I am so thankful to be able to serve the patients of South Georgia for as long as I...

Archbold Memorial Hospital’s Jessica “Kristy” Howell, RN, is now a certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES) through the Certification Board for Diabetes Educators (CBDCE). Candidates must meet rigorous eligibility requirements to take the certification exam. Achieving certification status demonstrates to people with diabetes and employers that the health professional possesses distinct and specialized knowledge, thereby promoting quality of care for people with...

Archbold is pleased to announce the Archbold Medical Center Board of Directors has approved a $9 million investment in their employees through a new staff recruitment and retention plan for the hospital system. “We are living in unprecedented times,” said Archbold President and CEO Darcy Craven. “The COVID pandemic continues to strain our community, we are experiencing labor shortages in almost every area of the organization, and most recently, rising inflation is hurting our staff...