Families in Gordon County and across Northwest Georgia are one step closer to having access to advanced newborn care closer to home.
The Georgia Department of Community Health has issued AdventHealth Gordon a Certificate of Need to establish a four-bed Level II Neonatal Intensive Care Unit within the hospital’s existing Women’s Services Area. The approval remains subject to the standard 30-day appeal period.
“This approval marks an important milestone in AdventHealth’s commitment to the families of Northwest Georgia,” said Justin Birmele, president and CEO of AdventHealth Gordon and AdventHealth Murray. “Aligning with our mission, our goal is to bring high-quality, compassionate care close to home, especially during moments when people need that support most. A Level II NICU would strengthen the care available to mothers and babies in Calhoun while helping families remain together.”
AdventHealth Gordon is the only hospital in Gordon County and an important access point for obstetric and newborn care. The proposed Level II NICU will allow more newborns who need additional medical support after birth to receive specialized care at AdventHealth Gordon while remaining closer to their mothers, families, and care teams.
The unit will also strengthen continuity throughout the newborn care journey, supporting timely monitoring, parental education, bonding, breastfeeding support, and discharge planning.
“When a baby needs extra support after delivery, having the right care available close to the mother can make a meaningful difference for the entire family,” said Nicholas Wells, MD, neonatologist and vice president and chief medical officer of AdventHealth Gordon and AdventHealth Murray. “A Level II NICU would give our care teams greater ability to provide specialized neonatal care here in Calhoun while helping parents remain present and involved in their baby’s care from the very beginning.”
The project reflects AdventHealth’s continued commitment to expanding access to high-quality, whole-person healthcare across Northwest Georgia. As a faith-based not-for-profit organization, AdventHealth is focused on growing thoughtfully alongside its communities and helping more people receive compassionate care close to the people and support systems that matter most.
Submitted Article