Each year, in accordance with government requirements as a nonprofit health system, Piedmont prepares a community benefit report narrowly defined by the federal government, with fixed dollar amounts and time directly related to improving the health of its communities.

Nevertheless, Piedmont’s efforts extend beyond quantifiable financial benefits. That is why for the past two years, Piedmont has prepared a Community Impact Report that highlights the myriad ways its team members — physicians, nurses, executives, staff and beyond — fulfill Piedmont’s purpose to make a positive difference in every life and every community we touch, showing the qualitative depth of its impact in the communities we serve across the state.

During Piedmont Macon’s Fiscal Year 2022 (July 1, 2021, to June 30, 2022), Piedmont Macon and Macon North performed more than 35 community involvement activities and participated in dozens of health education/ awareness activities and community health services, including the distribution of 8,800 Covid-19 kits to agencies serving low-income, underserved and high-risk populations. In addition, Piedmont Macon employees were represented on various community board memberships. Piedmont Macon provided approximately $25.4 million in Community Benefit in FY 2022, including about $21.7 million in uncompensated care.

“Beyond the care we provide our patients within the walls of our hospitals, our mission is so much bigger,” said Stephen J. Daugherty, CEO of both Piedmont Macon and Macon North. “We care about Middle Georgia as a whole and are working to improve the health of the entire community.”

In 2022, Piedmont Macon completed its first Community Needs Health Assessment, which lists its top priorities in the coming years. Those priorities include ensuring affordable access to health and dental care; reducing preventable cases of cancer and heart disease, and promoting healthy behaviors to reduce preventable chronic diseases and conditions.

Within that framework, Piedmont Macon already has begun fulfilling its mission to reach the CNHA goals. Those efforts include empowering the community with knowledge by taking part in various health awareness and screening events; giving to our communities through the United Way and various local nonprofits; and volunteering our time by encouraging Piedmont employees to volunteer with various community groups and events.

In addition, Piedmont Macon works to bring care to the community by providing funding or other support to various groups such as Daybreak and the Macon Volunteer Clinic; and lending our expertise by encouraging the two hospitals’ leadership team to become active members of local boards such as the Brookdale Resource Center, Boys and Girls Club, and the Family Counseling Center of Central Georgia.

Robin Parker, executive director of Community Development & Patient Support Services at the two Piedmont hospitals in Macon, said even though Piedmont Macon can point to successes over the past year, there is still work to be done.

“Our hospitals are committed to improving community health, and our goal will be to ensure greater community engagement and channel more resources toward reducing health disparities,” she said.