Compassion
and Community Service
Serving our community is part of our Mission and it extends beyond the hospital’s walls to all areas of our community. From volunteering on area boards, to offering free health screenings, to helping in a time of need, to providing care regardless of an ability to pay, we want to serve Calhoun/Gordon County and to improve healthcare for every resident.
Community Service
Throughout the last year, Gordon Hospital has been committed to offering various health screenings free to the community. Following is a sampling of those offerings:
• Smoking has been proven to increase your risk for many diseases including cancer and heart disease. That’s why Gordon Hospital is committed to helping you quit by hosting a smoking cessation program, called Breathe Free. Offered nine times throughout the year, the program has a 10-year track record of helping individuals break free from tobacco.
• Dealing with the loss of a loved one can be devastating, that’s why Gordon Hospital hosts a Grief Recovery Group. This free, monthly program helps participants come to terms with the loss of their loved one and move forward with their life.
• Gordon Hospital’s dietician provides diabetes education classes to individuals in our community diagnosed with or struggling with this disease. The class is free to participants and meets monthly at the hospital.
• In April, nearly 30 physicians, nurses, and community members attended a free skin cancer seminar. A panel of dermatologists and oncologists presented information ranging from types of skin cancer to treatment options.
• In May, the hospital teamed with a local dermatologist, to offer Melanoma Monday, a skin cancer screening. More than 100 were screened, with nearly half of the participants resulting in suspicious findings or abnormalities.
• In September, nearly 100 men participated in an annual prostate cancer screening that measured patient’s Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) levels and a manual digital rectal exam (DRE). Physicians on our medical staff donated their time to participate in this event. Prior to the screening, urologist Dr. Jason Crane held a prostate cancer seminar where participants discussed urologic concerns and treatment options.
• Also in September, Gordon Urgent Care Centers in Calhoun and Adairsville provided free cholesterol screenings by appointment. A total of 78 residents of these communities participated.
• During the Northwest Georgia Regional Fair, Gordon Hospital hosted more than 150 senior citizens for Seniors’ Morning Out. The seniors received: health screenings such as blood pressure checks and health information, a free meal, and a chance to socialize and play games.
• During October, Gordon Hospital strives to educate women on the signs and symptoms of breast cancer and the importance of early detection. This October, we were proud to offer a free seminar featuring a panel of our cancer physicians. A free mammogram and bone density screening were given as door prizes.
• Each November, the hospital sponsors Diabetes Screening Day. More than 14.6 million Americans have diabetes, yet nearly one-third of them don’t know it. The screening included a fasting glucose check, education and consultation with the podiatrist on our medical staff.
• Gordon Hospital’s Rehabilitation Services and Medical/Surgical departments teamed up to host a knee pain seminar as well. The program focused on informing participants on knee problems, signs and symptoms, and treatment options.
• Keeping the children of our community healthy and happy is another goal of the hospital. This year, hospital personnel teamed with the Gordon Hospital Foundation and went into area elementary schools to host a Kids’ Health Fair. Activities provided to nearly 1,000 children included: nutrition and avoiding obesity, smoking prevention, fitness games, safety information, and arts and crafts.
• In 2006, Medicare launched a new drug plan for seniors. To help better understand these changes and to help them pick the most appropriate program, Gordon Hospital’s Patient Financial Services hosted two Medicare Part D workshops—one in the spring and one in the fall.
In addition to screenings, Gordon employees donated many hours of community service to various groups within our community. From the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life, to United Way, to the Gordon County Chamber of Commerce, and various other not-for-profit agencies, Gordon Hospital employees helped make the community better by giving of themselves.
Gordon Hospital Foundation
The philanthropic arm of the hospital, the Foundation raises money for necessary improvement projects and for new services. During the last year, the Foundation held a Step Up To Fight Cancer Telethon to raise money for a new Cancer Resource Center at Gordon Hospital. In addition, the Foundation began an annual employee giving campaign and provided scholarships to 15 deserving students interested in pursing careers in nursing or allied health fields.
Volunteer Services
Volunteers are the backbone of Gordon Hospital. During the last year, they donated more than 11,000 hours of service (valued at nearly six, full-time employees or $373,000) to the benefit of Gordon Hospital and to our community. In addition, the Auxiliary chose to honor a 20-year veteran, Jana Moore, as its Volunteer of the Year.