Expanded Psychiatry Services
One of the major challenges of living in a rural area is limited resources . Historically , rural areas have a more difficult time recruiting and retaining physicians , especially when it comes to specialized services .
Psychiatry services are particularly minimal in Colquitt County and a large majority of the state . In 2020 , Georgia was ranked number 50 in access to mental healthcare .
“ This is an alarming statistic and a problem that we are actively trying to remedy ,” said Matney . “ Colquitt Regional is proud to now have an expanded offering of psychiatry services and we are actively adding to those to allow us to better meet the mental health needs of Southwest Georgia .”
In just the past two years , Colquitt Regional received a $ 750,000 grant from the U . S . Health Resources and Services Administration ( HRSA ) to aid in developing a psychiatry residency program , added psychiatrist Dr . Teron Verma to its staff , and implemented an intensive outpatient program at Sterling Group Senior Behavioral Health .
“ These additions have paved the way for our Inpatient Geropsychiatry Unit , which is expected to open in the early months of 2022 ,” said Matney .
The multi-million-dollar geropsychiatric unit will be located on the second floor of the hospital and will have the capacity of 10 inpatients , along with a physician exam room , group therapy and
“ We are steadily adding new providers , technology , and services lines to bring an elevated level of care to our patients , all right here at home .” dining room , consultation room , and a quiet activity room .
This secured area will be aimed at safely treating adults aged 55 or older or individuals who live a geriatric lifestyle with mental illnesses or psychotic disorders , such as depression , dementia , and psychosis .
With this new service at Colquitt Regional , Verma and his team will offer specialized care with an interdisciplinary approach that includes counseling , therapy , medical care , medication management , and group activities .
Colquitt Regional is expected to open this new unit in the spring of 2022 .
In addition to the new education facility , parking lot expansion , and soon-opening geropsychiatry unit , Colquitt Regional has more coming down the pipe in the new year that will add to the successes of the previous year . Some of the new providers and recently introduced by Colquitt Regional and Sterling Physician Group include :
• Dr . Holly Van de Voort , new pediatrician at Sterling Group Primary Care .
• Dr . Franky Davis , new orthopedic surgeon at Sterling Group Orthopedics .
• Dr . Tracey Bastiaans , first plastic and reconstructive surgeon to join the medical staff at Colquitt Regional .
• Mako Surgical Robot , the first and only in the region , which will transform total knee replacement surgeries .
• New employee and retail pharmacy to be located in Hospital Park beginning January 2022 .
“ We are here to serve this community ,” said Hospital Authority Chairman Richard E . Turner , Jr . “ These additions , expansions , and improvement have been strategically planned with our friends , family , neighbors , and patients in mind , so that we can bring the best possible care to them . The future is bright here at Colquitt Regional and , as always , we are proud to be Colquitt County ’ s hometown healthcare provider .”
For more information , please contact the Colquitt Regional Marketing Department at 229-890-3552 .
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