MCG Partners with East Central Georgia Regional Hospital

Augusta, GA—-The Medical College of Georgia took charge of clinical services at the East Central Georgia Regional Hospital, on Thursday. The hospital is just one of seven state facilities that serve persons with developmental disabilities. With this partnership, MCG will also bring in a new administrator and medical director.

Officials say current employees do not have to worry about losing their jobs.

Fred Shelp, Commissioner DBHDD: “Right now, we are still in a hiring mode. That’s part of the advantage of this relationship.”

And, state employees will not lose their benefits.

Dr. Donald Manning; Medical Director at Georgia Regional: “Current employees will remain state employees and retain state benefits some new employees will be employed by the medical college and get medical college benefits.”

The partnership will also give MCG the ability to make Georgia Regional a teaching college for medical students.

Fred Shelp: “Initially we will have two residences and two forensic fellows.”

Officials began talking about plans to collaborate last summer…but they say the troubled economy was not an issue.

Fred Shelp: “This partnership would have moved forward either way with good times or bad because this partnership doesn’t not involve any additional monies this is really bringing the two resources institutions as they stand together.”