Stephens County Hospital and Piedmont Healthcare Embark on Study of Market Needs and Collaboration Opportunities

Officials with the Stephens County Hospital (SCH) confirmed this evening, that the hospital staff will be working in tandem with Piedmont Healthcare to conduct a study aimed at providing the highest quality, most cost effective and accessible healthcare in Stephens County and the surrounding region.

According to SCH’s Chief Executive Officer Roger Forgey, Stephens County Hospital has signed a non-binding Letter of Intent (LOI) with Piedmont Healthcare.

The LOI is intended to allow both SCH and Piedmont Healthcare to be symbiotic in their explorations to strengthen SCH’s ability to serve the people of Northeast Georgia, remain a regional provider of healthcare to the counties served and enhance the hospital’s services offered to its community.

The study will look at market needs; therefore, reconsidering what medical services are indispensable for the residents of Stephens and surrounding counties.

For 90 days, the two organizations will collaborate together, in hopes of developing a strategic plan that will boost the current standards of healthcare and administrative fiduciary practices.

WNEG News spoke with officials from Piedmont Healthcare this morning, Aug. 23. And, according to Piedmont Healthcare’s Executive Director of Communications and Public Relations Elisabeth Wang, “despite what has been reported, Piedmont Healthcare is not taking over operations for Stephens County Hospital, and Piedmont Healthcare is not exploring options that would include acquiring SCH.” WNEG News will provide continued coverage as more information is released.