Fairmount pickets in support of Gordon Hospital’s Fairmount Family Medicine
stay.”
“I moved all of my records down here and started going to this doctor and she has got me feeling better; I have diabetes,” said Fairmount resident Joe Holder, who has lived in the town for 21 years. “What’s going to happen to me if she leaves? I was going to a doctor in Jasper and I’ll have to go back to Jasper to get my medicine. I don’t think there is a reason to close this.”
“The clinic is impor-
tant to the Fairmount community. The nearest clinic is Calhoun, a 30-minute drive,” said Fairmount resident Kathy Ryan. “Some senior citizens have a hard time getting there and it takes an hour drive time for others who work in Fairmount. Fairmount is working to revitalize and a local medical clinic is important to that effort.”
“We’re not mad at Gordon Hospital,” said Watts of the group gathering. “They’ve been a tremendous help to the city in the past few years and I hope they are going to be in the future, too.”
“The clinic has done phenomenal,” said Fairmount City Councilman Jim Dodd. “As everybody knows, during the summer, everyone is at their healthiest. The fall, winter and spring is when people are at their sickest and need this clinic. I just hate to lose the clinic. I just wish Gordon Hospital would rethink the decision. It’s not just Fairmount affected, it’s the whole eastern side of the county.”
“We’ve adjusted our business model and made every imaginable accommodation, but we are extremely disappointed that it is simply not a viable option for Gordon Hospital,” Nudd continued in his state- ment. “We appreciate this community’s passion for health and wellness, and we are hopeful that they will continue to trust Gordon Hospital and Gordon Physicians Group for their healthcare needs.”
In a meeting held Thursday, July 21 with the Mayor Watts and the building owner, John Davidson, Nudd expressed concern for the Fairmount community and emphasized that Gordon Hospital would be happy to continue to provide health educations in the schools, health fairs with local businesses and community programs as much as possible.
According to Gordon Hospital, Fairmount Family Medicine this year saw an average of 10 patients per day, with less than five of those patients being residents of Fairmount. Industry standards are 25 – 30 patient visits per day.
According to the statement, Diane Williams, NP, will remain with Gordon Physicians Group, joining Dr. Phillip Gray at Gordon Primary Care.
Before Gordon Hospital moved the medical practice into Fairmount in 2014, Piedmont Hospital had a clinic in the building. Prior to that, Gordon Hospital provided healthcare services in the building from 2005 – 2007, but sold the building due to several provider changes.