CEDARTOWN, Ga., Jan. 13, 2024 – Polk County community leaders gathered Friday to celebrate a ribbon-cutting for the new Congestive Heart Failure Clinic at Atrium Health Floyd Polk Medical Center, considered one of the state's top rural hospitals.
The clinic, which opened in 2023, offers care to heart failure patients, helping them stay active longer. For five consecutive years, the hospital has earned Gold certification from the American Heart Association for the care it provides heart failure patients.
“We appreciate all of you being here to celebrate the development of another service here in Polk County," said Atrium Health Floyd President Kurt Stuenkel. “We're serving more than 100 patients a month here now, people who previously had to drive to Rome, back and forth."
The clinic helps people learn to take better care of themselves and manage their chronic disease. It provides educational resources, lab work and medication administration.
Patients learn about:
- Types of heart failure, including congestive heart failure (CHF)
- Healthier eating
- Medication side effects
- Ways to increase activity
- How to monitor what they eat and drink
- Tracking how much they weigh
“The creation of this and all the improvements at Polk Medical Center are a big plus for the community," said Cedartown City Commission Chairman Edward Guzman. “Many people in rural areas fear losing their hospitals. Because of Atrium Health Floyd, I know I don't have to worry about that."
Lacey Hobbs, clinical manager, said the facility is a big plus for local patients.
“It has really made a difference in their lives," Hobbs said. “We know a lot of our congestive heart failure patients don't feel good; they are pretty sick. So, the fact that they can just drive a couple of miles down the road and get care here is life-changing."
Dr. Rahul Garg, a cardiologist with Harbin Clinic, is the medical director of the heart failure clinic. He leads a team from Harbin Clinic cardiology, including nurse practitioner Zach Whitener, that provides daily care for patients at the clinic.
“We are very excited about this," Garg said. “We have a great vision for this over the long run and you'll see changes as they happen."
Stuenkel said the partnership with Harbin Clinic is indispensable.
“We couldn't do this without the medical support of the Harbin Clinic cardiologists," Stuenkel said. “We are so appreciative of their leadership and support."
Marianne Wood, executive director of the Polk County Chamber of Commerce, and Hal Floyd, Polk County Commission chairman, agreed that the additional service is a plus for Polk County.
“It's always great to see this facility grow in our community," said Wood.
“I want to thank you on behalf of the citizens of Polk County for the wonderful, wonderful services you have provided here," Floyd said.
Dan Bevels, Atrium Health Floyd's director of Community Health, said the clinic is another example of Atrium Health Floyd's commitment to rural health.
“We have seen rural hospitals around the state of Georgia, around the country, close at an alarming rate over the last several years, and the pandemic only accelerated that," Bevels said. “While that has been happening in other locations, we have seen Polk Medical Center thrive."
The clinic is open Monday through Fridays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and can be reached by phone at 770-749-4157.