Hospital leadership and its Board of Directors are celebrating the successful integration of the Waycross, GA, hospital into HCA's South Atlantic Division.

Last year, the hospital's leadership and Board of Directors conducted an extensive search for a partner to ensure continued delivery of care here in Waycross. "HCA is that partner - a healthcare leader that understands and is committed to high-quality, community-based hospitals," said new Board Chairman Owen Herrin. "All across the country, they empower local caregivers and give back to the communities they operate in. That is our commitment to our neighbors across South Georgia and we are excited to have found a partner with the same culture."

The South Atlantic Division of HCA is based in Charleston, SC, and operates 12 hospitals in South Carolina, Georgia and Jacksonville, Florida. "For more than 60 years, this Waycross team has been delivering high quality care and extraordinary service to this community," said South Atlantic Division President Hugh Tappan. "We are delighted to welcome them into the HCA family and are committed to ensuring that they have the tools, resources and collaboration needed to ensure that continues for the next 60 years and beyond."

Interim CEO Roger Forgey has guided the hospital through the transition. "Our physicians and staff put this community first," said Forgey. "In a time where we routinely read about hospitals like ours closing, we have found a partner that understands and invests in the hometown hospital. For our team and our community, I am deeply pleased to know that care will continue to be delivered here in Waycross."

Going forward, the health system will operate under the name Memorial Satilla Health. "Honoring the first two names - Memorial and Satilla - that the hospital operated under seemed the most fitting tribute to the legacy of caring that this team has represented for the past 61 years," said Tappan. Additional information on the hospital can be found on Facebook @MemorialSatillaHealth and on YouTube at Memorial Satilla Health. In addition, the hospital will now have a 24/7 call center at (912) 584-6201 to provide physician referrals/appointment services, register those interested for a host of free health education events, and staffed by RNs to answer immediate health questions.