Clinic Merger With NGPG Reportedly On Track for November

A spokesperson for Northeast Georgia Health System said Tuesday night that the Northeast Georgia Physicians Group is moving towards a November 1 effective date for taking over the Toccoa Clinic.

Spokesperson Melissa Tymchuk said that final details of the agreement are still being worked out, and as soon as a definitive date is known, that will be communicated to the patients and the public.

This comes after Stephens County Hospital Authority members said Tuesday night at a called meeting to discuss the hospital’s financial situation that the takeover of the Toccoa Clinic by the Northeast Georgia Physicians Group was a done deal.

Stephens County Hospital Administrator Lynne Anderson said that the hospital is monitoring what takes place with the merger and looking at possibilities for the future.

“I can say that I have had the opportunity to speak with several physicians that are looking for some support from the hospital to be able to continue to practice in the community and I have met with some employees from the Clinic that are also looking for some opportunities to stay in the community,” said Anderson.

Anderson said the hospital feels like it needs to intervene and keep what services and specialists it can in the community.

According to Anderson, Dr. Jim Wade and Dr. Chris Vaughn will be moving over to Stephens County Hospital.

Also, she said that the hospital is looking at trying to pick up some of the nurse practitioners if possible.

The Toccoa Clinic and the Northeast Georgia Physicians Group have been discussing formal alignment plans for months.

The two sides announced in June that they had extended a letter of intent to continue exploring opportunities for formal alignment.

Back in June, Toccoa Clinic Managing Partner Dr. David Yates called a possible formal alignment between the Clinic and Northeast Georgia Physicians Group a natural fit.

Clinic officials have not yet commented on these latest reports.

Northeast Georgia Physicians Group is the multi-specialty group of Northeast Georgia Health System, the parent organization of Northeast Georgia Medical Center.

It has more than 250 physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, midwives, and other clinical staff representing more than 20 specialties at more than 50 locations across north Georgia.