The Honorable Nathan Deal, Governor of the State of Georgia, visited The Medical Center, Navicent Health on Tuesday to tour the hospital’s nationally-verified Level I Trauma Center. MCNH boasts the only Level I Trauma Center in the state nationally verified by the American College of Surgeons.

“You are in a unique category, and the people of this part of Georgia should be extremely proud of what you’ve done to achieve this certification,” Gov. Deal said during Tuesday’s news conference at MCNH. “Your work will go a long way toward improving the quality of life for our entire state.”
 
In November 2016, MCNH achieved verification as an American College of Surgeons verified Level I trauma center. MCNH has been designated a Level I Trauma Center by the State of Georgia since 1998, and is now the only Level I trauma center in the state and only one of 17 hospitals in the Southeast to achieve this additional, national recognition. Gov. Deal, a strong supporter of Georgia’s Trauma Care Network, will tour MCNH’s Trauma Center, the gold-standard of trauma care within the state.
 
“The trauma team at The Medical Center, Navicent Health voluntarily sought verification from the American College of Surgeons, for the benefit of our patients and their loved ones. We have gone beyond the standard requirements for Level I trauma centers to exceed the highest standards set forth by this national certification body. At The Medical Center, Navicent Health, our trauma team seeks to be the best and to obtain the highest level of achievement,” said Dennis W. Ashley, MD, Director of Trauma and Critical Care for MCNH.
 
“Navicent Health is pleased to welcome Gov. Deal to tour our Trauma Center. As the only Level I Trauma Center serving this region, patients rely on The Medical Center, Navicent Health for the most comprehensive and all-inclusive care for their injuries. As a nationally-recognized ACS Level I trauma center, our patients can trust that we are exceeding the standards in order to provide the highest levels of care. Our team truly is setting the standard for trauma care in this state,” said Ninfa M. Saunders, DHA, President and CEO of Navicent Health.
 
Of 185 hospitals in Georgia, only 30 are trauma centers. The state of Georgia classifies trauma centers on a scale of Levels I-IV, dependent on the level of care provided. Only six hospitals in the state – including MCNH – are classified at the most comprehensive level, Level I.
 
MCNH’s Level I trauma team, comprised of numerous surgeons in various specialties as well as highly-trained and specialized clinicians, is available 24 hours per day and able to provide the most sophisticated level of care for trauma patients. In addition, as a Level I trauma center, MCNH leads the field in research and provides training for future surgeons through residency and fellowship programs.
 
The trauma center at MCNH serves an average of 3,000 patients annually, with approximately one-third of those patients transferred from other healthcare facilities. In 2016, MCNH’s trauma center cared for patients from 91 or Georgia’s 159 counties.
 
“Across the nation, Level I trauma centers are typically in large, metropolitan areas. The availability of care provided at The Medical Center, Navicent Health is very rare in smaller communities like Macon. Patients in central and south Georgia are incredibly fortunate to have access to the Level I trauma services, now nationally verified by the American College of Surgeons, so close at hand when accidents and injuries occur,” said Chris Hendry, MD, Chief Medical Officer for MCNH.