Sandersville, GA — April 11, 2025 — A new era in healthcare for Washington County has officially begun. Washington County Regional Medical Center (WCRMC) celebrated the groundbreaking of its new Emergency Department on April 11, 2025, surrounded by city and county leaders, healthcare partners, staff, family, and friends. The event marks a significant milestone in expanding high-quality, accessible care for the community.
The ceremony featured remarks from Pam Stewart, WCRMC CEO; Georgia State Representative Mack Jackson; Jim Broome, Chair of the Hospital Authority Board; Kerry Trapnell, CAO of Aletheia Health Partners; and featured guest speaker Dr. Jean R. Sumner, Dean of Mercer University School of Medicine. Dr. Sumner emphasized the heart of healthcare in her remarks, commenting, “Brick and mortar don’t make a hospital—the people do. And WCRMC cares deeply about people.”
Following the remarks, hospital leadership officially broke ground, symbolizing the shared commitment to strengthening healthcare services in Washington County and surrounding areas. Among the many supporters of this milestone project are valued community partners, including Goodwyn Mills Cawood (GMC), Ralin Construction, and Barnett Southern, who play key roles in bringing the vision for the new facility to life.
The new Emergency Department is designed to enhance patient care and operational efficiency. When the new facility opens in spring of 2026 with upgraded equipment and modern infrastructure, the all-private patient rooms will ensure greater privacy during each visit. The upgraded facility will also include specialized rooms for lower acuity patients to streamline care and reduce wait times, as well as a dedicated consultation room where families can receive timely updates on critically ill or injured loved ones.
Pam Stewart shared her excitement, noting “This expansion is not just about a new building. It’s about advancing access to quality healthcare in our community and those counties around us. Great things happen when a community supports its rural hospital.”
About Washington County Regional Medical Center
Washington County Regional Medical Center delivers quality healthcare, ensuring residents have access to care close to home. WCRMC provides comprehensive care across key service lines including emergency medicine, orthopedic surgery, medical imaging, general surgery, pain management, rehabilitation, cardiology and outpatient laboratory in addition to inpatient care. For decades, WCRMC has combined compassion with clinical excellence to meet the evolving needs of Washington County and neighboring communities.
View our event photos:
