Jasper Memorial Hospital was one of 16 Georgia rural health facilities awarded a share of $1.65 million dollars in financial support from Ameris Bank as part of the Georgia Heart Hospital Program.

The local hospital was awarded $50,000 of the total monies distributed. Bruce Bartholomew (far right), Regional Ameris Bank Market President, was present Tuesday for the check presentation to hospital staff. He joined local Ameris employees Branch Manager Kim McMichael (second from right) and Leah Campbell (third from right)for the joyous event.

Ameris Bank more than doubled its commitment to rural Georgia hospitals this year while increasing its contribution from $800,000 in 2018.

“The bank (Ameris) wanted to invest in communities where we have a vested interest with our customers,” said Mr. Bartholomew.

Ameris acquisitioned the institution formerly known as  Hamilton State Bank last year and currently has $11 billion in assets.

Mrs. McMichael, a three decades long employee of the local banking institution and Jasper County resident, is extremely excited to be able to assist the local hospital with the  funding.

“Even with our name change we have the same employees and our bank is community oriented,” she noted.

Rural hospitals in the state of Georgia have been facing a financial crisis for years as a result of demographic, economic and industry challenges. The Georgia HEART Hospital Program partners with the Georgia Rural Hospital Tax Credit bill (State Bill 258) to increase the funding to these rural and critical access hospitals. This assistance furthers their ability to provide quality health care for the thousands of Georgians who call these communities home.

“On behalf of Jasper Health Services Board of Directors and employees we are deeply grateful and appreciative for Ameris’ $50,000 contribution through the Georgia Rural Hospital Tax Credit program,” said Jan Gaston, JMH Administrator. “Our corporate relationship with the bank has been in existence for many years dating back to at least prior to 1965.  Giving back to the community to support local healthcare benefits all citizens of Jasper County.”

The Georgia Rural Hospital Tax Credit was enacted in 2017 through state legislation. Rep. Susan Holmes and Sen. Burt Jones were instrumental in supporting the program.  Mrs. Gaston noted that all of the dollars spent to date have been for renovation of the plant, purchase of equipment, and to help offset the cost of the Electronic Medical Record program in the hospital and Primary Care Center. The most recent project is the facelift and purchase of equipment in the therapy department.

Those shown in the photo include (left to right) Jan Gaston, Joann Tripp, Donna Holman, Stuart Abney, Robin Carey, David Leach, Laura Hudgins, Alison Hildebrandt, Leah Campbell, Kim McMichael, and Bruce Bartholomew. The remaining rural Georgia hospitals that received donations from Ameris Bank include— Brooks County Hospital (Quitman), Coffee Regional Medical Center (Douglas), Colquitt Regional Medical Center (Moultrie), Crisp Regional Hospital (Cordele), Donalsonville Hospital, Effingham Hospital-Springfield, Grady General Hospital (Cairo), Irwin County Hospital (Ocilla),  John D. Archbold Memorial Hospital (Thomasville), Liberty Regional Medical Center (Hinesville), Meadows Regional Medical Center (Vidalia), South Georgia Medical Center-Berrien Campus (Nashville), South Georgia Medical Center-Lakeland Campus, Tift Regional Medical Center (Tifton) and WellStar Sylvan Grove Hospital (Jackson).