Treating uninsured communities, building trust with patients, expanding care as a nonprofit — Gas South Convention Center's Magnolia Ballroom was full of incredible conversations last week. Community leaders, and some of Gwinnett County's top health experts, teamed up for "A Northside Conversation: Connecting for a Healthy Gwinnett" on June 3 to discuss patient care.
Hosted by the Gwinnett Hospital System Foundation, it’s just the latest in an annual series of conversations leaders are having about Gwinnett’s health future and empowering nonprofit health care efforts. It kicked off with remarks from GHS Foundation President Jay Dennard. He greeted a ballroom filled with "strong intellectual capital,” followed by" GHS Foundation Board Chair Dr. Denise Pecht for opening remarks.
"Thank you for being here," she told the dozens of healthcare providers and health system leaders in attendance. "Thank you all for the work you do every day."
Northside Hospital Gwinnett/Duluth President and CEO Debbie Bilbro later walked leaders through Northside's burgeoning growth, including its emergency department expansion in Atlanta, three new medical office buildings in the works, recent urgent care expansions and dozens of new physician specialists. The expansions, she explained, will allow Northside to better care for Georgia in some major ways.
"More primary care locations enhance preventative care and help manage chronic care conditions," Bilbro said. "Specialty services are needed to meet diverse health needs and bring surgical care closer to home."
Bilbro was followed by a panel on primary, urgent and emergency care by Northside physicians Dr. Sang Dao, Dr. Duane Jurma and Dr. Hira Kohli. Representing each of the three pillars of care, the providers explored the unique value primary, urgent and emergency care each bring to Georgia's patients and what determines "which door patients should walk through."
Following a brief intermission, Good Samaritan CEO Shameka Allen, Hope Clinic Executive Director Pam Martin and Truth Clinic Board Chair Mamie Outler spoke for the final panel "Primary Care as Prevention: Improving Outcomes Through Early Intervention." The trio discussed the importance of championing healthcare education and preventive care to reduce avoidable patient health outcomes, the realities of serving uninsured populations, the most overlooked services in preventive care, the importance of building trust in the community, and more.
Dr. Shelley Nuss, founding dean of the University of Georgia School of Medicine, closed out the day with a commanding keynote presentation. The founding dean focused on the importance of compassion and empathy in treatment during her "UGA School of Medicine: Building a Healthier Georgia" presentation, speaking on efforts the school is taking to expand community engagement and much more.
Hosted by the GHS Foundation, "A Northside Conversation: Connecting for a Healthy Gwinnett" is an annual symposium enjoying nearly half a decade of events, each covering a variety of health care topics.
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Pictured above, from left: Good Samaritan CEO Shameka Allen, Hope Clinic Executive Director Pam Martin, Truth Clinic Board Chair Mamie Outler and Northside Director of Strategic Planning Jullie Ballentine as moderator for the panel "Primary care as prevention: Improving outcomes through early intervention."
Top, from left: Dr. Sang Dao, Dr. Duane Jurma, Dr. Hira Kohli and moderator Jay Dennard, GHS Foundation president, for the panel "Choosing the right door: Primary care, urgent care or the emergency department."
