Gadsden Regional Medical Center is Vital to Etowah County

Gadsden Regional Medical Center is Vital to Etowah County
Delivers essential medical services and broad impact to the larger community

Gadsden, AL, March 25, 2024 – Over the course of 2023, Gadsden Regional Medical Center played a vital role helping people get well and live healthier at more than 270,000 patient encounters across its hospital and growing network of Gadsden Physician Clinics and other outpatient sites of care.

At more than 29,000 emergency department visits each year, lifesaving medically necessary care is provided for all patients regardless of their ability to pay. Members of the community who cannot fully afford their medical care are provided deep discounts or even charity care and the hospital has resources to help them secure medications and medical support devices. Last year, Gadsden Regional Medical Center provided more than $185 million in charity and uncompensated care for the community’s most vulnerable.

“Gadsden Regional Medical Center plays a vital role in our community around the clock, every day of the year to help people get well and live healthier,” said Mark Dooley, FACHE, chief executive officer for Gadsden Regional Medical Center. “Regardless of holidays or challenging weather, our dedicated team of clinicians and caregivers are using their skills, experience and compassion in service to the patients who are counting on us.”

Other support for social determinants of health in the community includes financial donations for charitable organizations such as United Way of Etowah County, Man Up Gadsden, James M. Barrie Center for Children, and acts of service such as the Jars of Love drive collecting peanut and other nut butters for the Etowah Community Food Bank.

Gadsden Regional Medical Center applies its resources to medical services, facilities and technologies that patients want to access close to home. Orthopedic services continue to expand with the recruitment of one new orthopedic surgeon, making a total of eleven providers who perform procedures at our facility for knee, hip, shoulder, spine/back, foot/ankle, and hand/wrist/elbow. The hospital continues to hold Joint Commission accreditation for Advanced Hip & Knee Replacement. 

A broad range of cardiac services is offered, including emergency care, diagnostic and interventional cardiology, and cardiac surgery. The hospital has earned Primary Stroke Center Certification by the American Stroke Association and accreditation from the American College of Cardiology with Primary PCI, meaning the team is highly trained to treat heart and stroke patients with timely, quality care.

Access has also been enhanced in the area of family medicine with the recruitment of four new primary care providers as well as the opening of the Gadsden Family Practice and Hokes Bluff Family Medicine clinics. Capital improvements totaling more than $2.7 million were made in projects across the hospital campus and clinics.

Civic resources and services are supported by Gadsden Regional Medical Center’s tax payments of more than $9.8 million and the payroll of more than $91.6 million ripples across the local economy as employees buy goods and services. 

Workforce development remains a priority and strong relationships continue with local nursing programs to include students from six colleges and universities completing their clinical rotations at the hospital, giving them practical clinical training and cultivating a pipeline of skilled providers for the future. Investments are also being made to help team members achieve their personal and professional goals through assistance with student loan repayments, as well as tuition reimbursement. 

Dooley continued, “The vital care we provide is only one part of the broad impact we have that adds up to more than $302 million last year. We recognize that our services are essential to this community and we are committed to doing all we can to provide quality health care and make Etowah County a healthier, better community for all.” 

To help the community live healthier, Gadsden Regional Medical Center offers a free e-newsletter with a monthly dose of health and wellness inspiration sent directly to your inbox. Sign up at https://bit.ly/grmcenews.

About Gadsden Regional Medical 
Gadsden Regional Medical Center is a 346-bed acute care hospital with inpatient and outpatient care. We are accredited by the Joint Commission and certified in hip and knee replacements. We believe in the power of people to create great care. We're nearly 2,000 healthcare professionals strong, and we work hard every day to be a place of healing, caring and connection for patients and families in the Etowah County area.