Northeast Georgia Medical Center hosted the grand opening of its new Demorest campus on Saturday. The event, billed as Habersham Jam, drew more than 500 people from across Northeast Georgia. They chowed down on free barbecue and dessert and were treated to an evening of live country music performed on a stage set up in the hospital parking lot.
Habersham County Emergency Services brought out their ambulances and fire trucks, and local law enforcement showed off their patrol cars during the evening’s touch-a-truck demonstration.
Northeast Georgia Health System (NGHS) sponsored the event to celebrate its recent acquisition of Habersham Medical Center. NGHS took over the Demorest-based hospital on July 1.
You can ‘feel the support’
Northeast Georgia Medical Center President John Kueven and Vice President of Regional Hospitals Kevin Matson were on hand to greet their guests.
“You know, not surprisingly, the community’s come out to support, and we’re excited. It’s a great event, great turnout,” said Kueven
Matson, who’s now the administrator in charge of NGMC Habersham, agreed.
“Like John said, I’m not surprised by the turnout. Since day one walking in the door, you could feel the amount of support not only this community has but also the staff of this hospital, and that remains true every day since my first day,” he said.
Many of those who attended were NGHS and NGMC employees. They came from Hall, Jackson, and White counties and points in between.
NGMC staff fed between five and six-hundred people throughout the evening.
“I think it’s a great event for the community and everybody to come and do things and (see) what it’s all about,” said Dwayne Hester of Cleveland.
John Johnson traveled from Hoschton to attend. He gave the evening a thumbs up, saying, “[The] food was good. Music was good.”
