Hospital Adding Surgical Practice

Stephens County Hospital is adding two general surgeons to its staff.

Monday, the Hospital Authority unanimously approved spending $450,000 to purchase an office building on Falls Road that used to house Dr. James Fordyce’s office.

Hospital Administrator Ed Gambrell said the space is needed for the two surgeons that will be arriving in Toccoa sometime around the end of November or the beginning of December.

“We need office space for these two guys,” said Gambrell. “It is a good office.”

Gambrell said that these two general surgeons will be employees of Stephens County Hospital, which will own the practice.

“We will employ these physicians,” said Gambrell. “We will do the billing and staff the office.”

According to Gambrell, because of red tape and other issues, that is a “raging trend” in the hospital industry.

Gambrell went on to say that this is the way hospitals have to operate now in order to attract many physicians and surgeons.

“In order to recruit physicians, that is the new model and what we have to do in order to recruit,” said Gambrell. “I can honestly say neither of these physicians would have come here if they had to set up their own practice.”

Meanwhile, Gambrell said that these surgeons, along with others that use the hospital, will be working with a new OR Manager due to a retirement.

According to Gambrell, Connie Rice is retiring and will be replaced by Matt Umbehant.

Gambrell said Umbehant has been the Assistant OR Manager for the last five years.

“Matt has a very good knowledge of surgery and basically has been training for this opportunity for the last five years,” said Gambrell. “I have no doubt he will jump in and do a great job as Connie has done a great job.”

The Hospital Authority approved Umbehant’s promotion to OR Manager unanimously.