New emergency room opens to serve Screven County residents

Published: Jul. 20, 2022 at 11:12 PM EDT

SYLVANIA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - A new state-of-the-art emergency room with some of the newest technology on medical vacuum and gas systems, and expanded ambulance access is now in Screven County.

This is an investment in the health and safety of people living in and around Screven County.

We’ve reported on a shortage of health care access in some of our rural counties. Here’s how this hospital could help solve some of those ongoing issues.

After 72 years, Optim Medical Center-Screven is now able to take urgent care patients at their new emergency department.

“All this has been a two-year project for us. Very fortunate that we were able to bring this project to fruition. Very proud of the care that we’re going to be able to offer to the community and render healthcare to a rural setting,” said Lagina Evans, CEO of Optim Medical Center-Screven.

The emergency department sits in the middle of rural Screven County, offering urgent care to anyone in need.

“We are 23 miles from Statesboro. We are 65 miles from a trauma center. We have the capability of taking care of whatever walks through our door. It could be a snake bite, it could be a child with an asthmatic attack, or it could be a 101-year-old having a stroke. Just being able to offer a state-of-the-art modern environment for our patients is a huge asset to the community,” she said.

Patients will also have access to telehealth with Augusta University doctors for any specialty within minutes.

“Our mission for this facility has always been first and foremost so care of our patients and then, of course, patient-centered care, and we are using this facility to meet those goals and project that,” said Evans

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