Valdosta, GA -- September 2, 2011

The sale of Smith Northview Hospital to South Georgia Medical Center was completed on Thursday, September 1st. Smith Northview Hospital’s name will not change. It will operate as Smith Northview Hospital, a campus of SGMC. The acquisition of the 45-bed facility makes SGMC the 17th largest hospital in Georgia.

“The future of healthcare delivery in south central Georgia and north Florida has never been brighter,” said Randy Sauls, SGMC CEO. “Combining the resources of South Georgia Medical Center and Smith Northview Hospital will enhance the opportunities and availability of healthcare services for the citizens of the communities we serve.”

Sam Lewis, CEO of Ameris Health Systems, said, “With the changes ahead in the healthcare industry, combining two strong institutions makes sense. We know SGMC will take care of our patients and employees, and the community will be better served.”

The acquisition was finalized following a 120-day, due diligence period. Plans are for both hospitals to continue operating as they have for the next six to 12 months. No employees have lost their positions because of the purchase. Physicians with privileges solely at Smith Northview will see no change at this time, although a process has been established for physicians who want to be credentialed at both facilities.

Smith Northview Hospital opened in its current location on North Valdosta Road in Valdosta in 2002, moving from the former Smith Hospital facility in Hahira, where it operated for more than 50 years. The private facility had grown to 45 beds with 600 employees.

SGMC is a full-service, community hospital with 335 patient beds and 2,762 FTEs. The hospital has aggressive expansion plans for the hospital’s main campus, including a new parking deck and five-story patient tower.
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Valdosta, GA - May 13, 2011

On Thursday, South Georgia Medical Center announced that it's taking over Smith Northview Hospital in Valdosta.

Officials have released few details about this, but say it will better serve patients and streamline services.

"So few doctors use Smithview," says Bonnie Segerstron, who's lived in Valdosta for 48 years. "So therefore, I think people are pulled a lot of times because they want to go to one and their doctor uses the other one. So, therefore I think one hospital would be enough."

The cost to acquire Smith Northview is $40 million.

A date for when the changes will take place has not yet been set.