GAINESVILLE — Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Gainesville is now a certified Comprehensive Stroke Center. It’s the highest level of certification awarded to hospitals for stroke treatment and NGMC is the only hospital north of metro Atlanta that has it, the hospital says.
“Receiving Comprehensive Stroke Center Certification proves that we have the infrastructure, staffing and resources needed to treat even the most serious stroke events right here in Gainesville without needing to transfer patients to Atlanta, says NGMC’s Medical Director of Neurointerventional Surgery Dr. Sung Lee.
The certification comes after months of preparation and growing the program in Gainesville. Dr. Lee says he’s “excited for what this means for our patients and community.”
NGMC’s accrediting agency, DNV Healthcare, awarded the hospital the certification after conducting a survey of the hospital’s stroke care program. NGMC Gainesville is now the second hospital in the state to receive this certification from DNV. Surveyors review quality outcomes and clinical capabilities, among other measures, to award certification.
NGHS President and CEO Carol Burrell calls the designation a “huge milestone for our health system and community.”
“I am so proud of our Neurosciences team and their leaders for their commitment to holding themselves to a higher standard and providing the highest level of stroke care for patients across the region,” she says.
In addition to this certification for NGMC Gainesville, NGMC Braselton and NGMC Barrow have been recertified as Primary Stroke Centers by DNV after receiving initial certification in 2020.
