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Northeast Georgia Health System expands access to advanced noninvasive cardiovascular care. July 16, 2026 Northeast Georgia Health System (NGHS) and Flow Therapy have established a joint venture to expand access to advanced noninvasive cardiovascular care in Gainesville and the surrounding region. The partnership introduces counterpulsation therapy (also known as external counterpulsation, ECP), a noninvasive outpatient treatment for patients living with persistent symptoms of ischemic heart disease, including those who continue to experience angina, shortness of breath, or fatigue despite standard therapies. This joint venture brings together Flow Therapy's specialized delivery model with NGHS' cardiovascular platform, establishing a structured pathway for symptomatic patients to access high-quality care. The model reflects a growing emphasis on physiologic approaches that complement existing cardiovascular therapies and expand options for appropriate patients. "This partnership with Flow Therapy adds an important option for appropriate patients and strengthens the management of chronic cardiovascular symptoms across the continuum of care," said Mudassar Ahmed, MD, chief cardiology officer at NGHS. "There is a meaningful population of patients who continue to experience symptoms despite current care. This model is designed to meet that need in a way that is accessible, coordinated, aligned with the broader care team, "said Michael Gratch, CEO and founder of Flow Therapy. The new clinic, located at 1650 Jesse Jewell Parkway in Gainesville, opened in June. Initial patient onboarding began in coordination with the NGHS cardiology team.

Lung cancer surgeon Dr. Matthew Schuchert joins Northeast Georgia Physicians Group. July 16, 2026 The lung cancer treatment program at Northeast Georgia Health System (NGHS) has added renowned expert thoracic surgeon Matthew Schuchert, MD, who recently joined Northeast Georgia Physicians Group (NGPG) Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery to see patients in Gainesville. Dr. Schuchert joins NGPG after a distinguished career in academic and clinical practice at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where he served as a tenured Associate Professor of Cardiothoracic Surgery and as Program Director of the Cardiothoracic Surgery residency and fellowship program. A native of Pittsburgh, he completed his own extensive training at UPMC, including residency and research fellowship in General Surgery, a fellowship in Minimally Invasive Thoracic and Foregut Surgery, and a residency in Cardiothoracic Surgery. He earned his medical degree from Johns Hopkins University and received his bachelor's degree in Biology from Yale University. "The incidence and mortality associated with lung cancer in Georgia are well above national averages," said Dr. Schuchert. "This highlights the importance of ongoing efforts in screening, diagnosis and therapy. I'm really excited about applying my time and energy to save lives and improve people's quality of life in this area." Dr. Schuchert completed his surgical training during a time of innovation in minimally invasive chest surgery. He specializes in thoracoscopic and laparoscopic approaches, which use "keyhole" incisions that heal more quickly and with less pain than traditional surgery. He has published hundreds of articles, abstracts, reviews, and book chapters about lung and esophageal cancer. He has also been the Principal Investigator in numerous research projects and clinical trials investigating lung cancer immunology and surgical outcomes following surgical resection of early-stage lung cancer. The NGHS lung cancer surgery program recently achieved top ratings in a survey conducted by the Society of Thoracic Surgeons, placing it among an elite tier of thoracic surgery centers in the U.S. Dr. Schuchert hopes to build on the reputation of excellence established under the leadership of fellow NGPG surgeon Karen Gersch, MD, whom he mentored during her training at UPMC.

AORN26: OR-SPD collaboration reduces Instrument Contamination and improves surgical efficiency. AORN26 highlights how collaboration between the operating room and sterile processing department (SPD) reduced instrument contamination, minimized case delays, and improved patient safety, reinforcing the critical role of SPD partnerships in perioperative infection prevention. Instrument contamination remains a persistent and often underrecognized risk in perioperative care, with implications that extend beyond infection prevention to operational efficiency and patient satisfaction. At the 2026 (Association of periOperative Registered Nurses) AORN Global Surgical Conference & Expo (AORN26), a poster presentation, "Decreasing Instrument Contamination Rates Through SPD Partnership and Collaboration" from Northeast Georgia Health System (NGHS) highlighted how intentional collaboration between the operating room (OR) and sterile processing department (SPD) can significantly reduce contamination rates and improve outcomes. Presented by Jade O. Boyd, MSN, RN, CNOR, nurse manager at NGHS, and coauthored by Lily Cantu, BSN, RN, charge nurse and coordinator at NGHS, the initiative focused on addressing contamination in surgical trays through strengthened interdisciplinary partnerships. A Risk That Impacts Both Safety and Efficiency Contaminated instruments pose an immediate threat to patient safety. When contaminated trays are identified, cases may be delayed or canceled, increasing the risk of infection and disrupting surgical workflows. These disruptions have cascading effects. Surgical delays reduce OR efficiency, limit the number of patients who can be treated, and contribute to dissatisfaction among both patients and surgeons. In a high-demand environment, even small inefficiencies can quickly escalate into broader operational challenges. The NGHS team recognized that reducing contamination required more than procedural fixes. It required alignment between the teams responsible for instrument preparation and those using them in the OR. Moving Beyond Silos Historically, SPD and OR teams have operated in parallel, with limited visibility into each other's workflows. This separation can create gaps in communication, expectations, and accountability. The NGHS initiative sought to bridge that divide by prioritizing collaboration between perioperative leaders and SPD staff. By working together, both teams were better able to identify sources of contamination, address inconsistencies, and standardize processes. This partnership model reflects a broader shift in perioperative practice, where success depends on shared ownership of outcomes rather than isolated responsibilities. Collaboration as a Core Strategy At the center of the initiative was a simple but powerful concept: meaningful reductions in contamination require active collaboration with SPD leadership. Rather than approaching contamination as a downstream issue, the team engaged SPD partners early in the process. This allowed for a more comprehensive understanding of how instruments are cleaned, assembled, transported, and handled in the OR. Through this collaboration, opportunities for improvement became clearer. Teams were able to align expectations, reinforce best practices, and create more consistent workflows across departments. Impact on Patient Safety and Workflow Reducing instrument contamination has direct implications for infection prevention. Clean, properly processed instruments are fundamental to maintaining sterile technique and preventing surgical site infections. At the same time, improvements in contamination rates contribute to smoother surgical operations. Fewer delays mean more predictable schedules, better resource utilization, and improved patient flow. For patients, this translates into shorter wait times and greater confidence in the safety and reliability of their care. For clinicians, it reduces frustration and supports more efficient practice. Implications for Infection Prevention Professionals For infection preventionists, this initiative reinforces the importance of collaboration across departments. Surveillance and policy development are essential, but they must be paired with strong relationships and communication at the operational level. SPD professionals are critical partners in this work. Their expertise in cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization is central to preventing contamination before instruments ever reach the OR. By engaging SPD teams as equal stakeholders, infection prevention programs can strengthen adherence, improve outcomes, and address risks more effectively. A Model for System-Wide Improvement The NGHS initiative offers a practical model for other health systems facing similar challenges. By focusing on partnership, communication, and shared accountability, organizations can address both clinical and operational risks associated with instrument contamination. As perioperative environments become increasingly complex, the need for integrated approaches will continue to grow. The work presented at AORN26 highlights a key takeaway for infection prevention and perioperative leaders alike: Meaningful improvement is not achieved in isolation. It is built through collaboration, alignment, and a shared commitment to patient safety. 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