Certified Medical Assistant

NGHS' Auxiliary celebrates 75 years of service and philanthropy. Tuesday, September 29th, 2026 Northeast Georgia Health System's (NGHS) Auxiliary recently celebrated its 75th anniversary during its annual Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon, recognizing volunteers whose service has helped shape healthcare experiences for patients, families and visitors across the region. Founded in 1951 before Hall County Hospital opened its doors later that year, the Auxiliary was created by community members who wanted to support their new hospital. Today, nearly 700 volunteers serve across all five of the system's acute-care hospitals, contributing more than 117,000 hours of service this year. Since its founding, the Auxiliary has contributed more than $10.5 million to support healthcare services, capital improvements and other initiatives to enhance experiences for patients and visitors across NGHS. "For 75 years, our volunteers have consistently provided the same warm welcome and human connection that have been so important throughout our history," said Matt Hanley, president and CEO of NGHS. "Through every chapter of our organization's growth, volunteers have helped create the compassionate culture that defines NGHS today. Every hour a volunteer serves represents something much greater than a task completed - it represents a patient who felt less alone, a family member who felt supported, or a team member who was able to focus on care because a volunteer stepped in to help." The annual lunch celebration included recognition of volunteers who achieved significant service milestones. This year, NGHS recognized 183 volunteers who collectively contributed more than 117,000 hours of service. Several volunteer awards were also presented: * The 2026 Joan Kosmala Volunteer of the Year Award was presented to Kaye Trivette and Bill Trivette, a husband and wife who have served more than 2,800 combined hours of service in a variety of roles including the NICU, Ronnie Green Heart Center, volunteer shuttle service and the Window Shops. * The 2026 Nell Whelchel Wiegand Patient Friend Award was presented to Lori Luders, a volunteer at Northeast Georgia Medical Center Braselton recognized for her compassionate service and commitment to helping patients, visitors and fellow volunteers feel welcome and supported. * The 2026 Marjorie Covington Smith Auxilian of the Year Award was presented to Jan Gorman, a longtime volunteer and life member of the Auxiliary who has served patients and families through roles including Emergency Department Patient Friend, shuttle driver and Mended Hearts visitor. "From the very beginning in 1951, the Auxiliary has embodied the spirit of service and generosity," said Natalie Challen, president of the NGHS Auxiliary. "For 75 years, volunteers have helped create meaningful connections with patients, families and team members while supporting our mission in countless ways. We are proud of that legacy and excited about the future of the Auxiliary."

NGHS' Green Tower on Gainesville hospital campus wins global design award. Tuesday, September 29th, 2026 Northeast Georgia Health System (NGHS) opened a new wing on its Gainesville, Georgia, hospital campus - one of Metro Atlanta's largest hospitals - in early 2025, and that project was recently ranked second in the world by Interior Design, a leading global authority in architecture and design. Northeast Georgia Medical Center (NGMC) Gainesville's Green Tower was one of the honorees in Interior Design's 20th-Annual Best of Year Awards for 2025. Also earning honors in the Large Healthcare Projects category were City of Hope's Hope Plaza in Duarte, California, and Intermountain Children's Health's Primary Children's Hospital in Lehi, Utah. "This project was a total team effort, because good design in health care goes far beyond aesthetics," said John Kueven, chief operating officer for NGHS and president of NGMC Gainesville. "It's about how well a space supports care. And this award highlights the thoughtful planning behind the Green Tower and the impact that planning has on both patients and staff." NGMC's Green Tower was designed by the Atlanta studio of Perkins&Will, a nationally acclaimed healthcare design firm. NGHS and Perkins&Will have partnered on a number of other projects across the health system. "This was a highly collaborative design process with significant input from staff and physicians," said Richard Herring, regional healthcare practice leader for Perkins&Will. "The process included both virtual and physical simulation tools that ranged from gaming boards to 40,000 square-foot, life-size mockups to optimize operational efficiency, patient safety and clinical outcomes." The 927,000-square-foot, 11-story Green Tower opened Feb. 8, was designed during the COVID-19 pandemic and features many cutting edge innovations for future pandemic preparedness and disaster resilience. The project features a new emergency department with specialized areas for trauma, resuscitation, minor care, behavioral health and pediatrics, plus a rooftop helipad with direct elevator access to critical care areas. The first floor houses Georgia Heart Institute services, including cardiac testing, catheterization labs and endovascular operating rooms, along with a modern, bright and spacious café for visitors. The second floor added five operating rooms and the Ronnie Green Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit. The third floor is for mechanical systems, while the fourth and fifth floors include coronary care, cardiovascular intermediate care and the Woody Stewart Heart Failure Treatment Unit. Floors six through nine were built for expansion in future years, but the need is already here as work to add 48 beds on levels seven and eight has begun.