Phoebe-Sumter off to a good start

Wednesday was a good day as Phoebe-Sumter Medical Center started its new life after the Phoebe Putney Health Systems and Sumter Regional Hospital partnership finally became official.

Attending the “opening day ceremonies” were a host of people from as far away as Albany and as close as Mayo Street. Offering up nourishment of apples and oranges and bottled water to those in attendance, administration, led by Interim CEO, Keith Petersen, staff and other employees attempted to bring about the feeling of warmth, genuine concern and well, family, to the government leaders, businessmen and women and everyday ordinary citizens who braved the hot temperatures to show their support of the new hospital.

Joel Wernick, President and CEO of Phoebe-Putney Health Systems, arriving just a few minutes late led the way with a few remarks of gratitude for past and present employees, including the notably absent David Seagraves, former President/CEO of Sumter Regional Hospital. Marcus Johnson, Public Relations/Marketing, a long time loyal supporter and employee of SRH and now, Phoebe-Sumter, was seen busily making rounds, making sure everyone was okay, comfortable and welcoming them to the event.

We commend Phoebe and the Sumter staff for making such an event possible, as well as quelling doubts and uncomfortable feelings of former employees, community members and leaders by using the words “team,” “community based,” and “family” in their remarks.

We look forward to the new journey that has started with the partnership becoming official and can’t wait to see what is ahead with the construction the hospital.

As Wernick promised on their end - to keep the public informed through all sorts of media outlets of all the news from the hospital - we too, as the legal organ of this community- promise to make sure that the hospital news is printed in as fair and ethical manner as they promise to serve us.

Let’s go to Phoebe-Sumter Medical Center.