Foundation touts hospital services

ATLANTA, Texas — The CHRISTUS St. Michael-Atlanta Foundation recently announced a $500,000 capital campaign to provide services, technology, equipment and facility upgrades.

Community leaders were invited to the hospital on Oct. 22 to hear about the campaign and tour the hospital so that department heads could explain services offered.

“We’re here for the community and want the community to understand us and what we are. We extend healing. We’re here to serve the people,” said Micah Johnson, CHRISTUS St. Michael Hospital-Atlanta administrator and chief nursing officer.

As for the tour, Sharon Riley, campaign manager, said, “We want the public to know our hospital’s services. Many do not. They may come for a test, but it is the overall perspective we want everyone to know.”

Throughout the hospital’s history, the local community has invested in its growth. In 1972 at its beginning, the community provided a donation of land and $300,000. And in 1998, a community fund assisted in creation of a 20-bed patient wing and intensive care unit.

During 2000-2005, the foundation donated a new CT Scanner, lab equipment and fitness center equipment.

In 2013, Atlanta Memorial Hospital became CHRISTUS St. Michael Hospital-Atlanta. In 2017, the foundation provided for emergency room expansion.

Recently, the Atlanta Foundation has helped expand outpatient rehabilitation services.

Members of the foundation board: Chairwoman Becky Garrett, Vice Chair Kendell

Wolfe, Treasurer Michael Stringer, Secretary Miranda Johnson, and Robby Bynum, Renee Hozdic, Amanda Lafferty, Kirby McCord, Micah Johnson, Robin Betts and Chad Clements.

Babs McCoy and Dan Simmons are campaign co-chairs. Sharon Riley is capital campaign manager.

CHRISTUS St. Michael Health System describes itself as a faithbased healing ministry, and its 43-bed facility in Atlanta holds the Texas Joint Commission’s Goal Seal of Approval for health care quality and safety.

Since becoming part of CHRISTUS Health, the hospital has been recognized as the following:

■ Level IV Trauma Center to treat worst injury levels and arrange for next level of care.

■ Level III Stroke Center equipped with teleneurology for real-time support from neurologists all over the country and also the administering of the tPA lifesaving drug.

■ Chest Pain Center with PCI accreditation for exceptional capability of treating heart attack symptoms. This is available 24/7.

The hospital also offers pediatric emergency telemedicine, radiology imaging, accredited clinical laboratory, wound care, sleep disorder center, diabetes education, outpatient cardiac-pulmonary rehabilitation, health-and-fitness center and an in-house pharmacy.

“One of the hospital’s major roles is to be a ‘community safety net,’” Atlanta Mayor Travis Ransom said. “CHRISTUS St. Michael-Atlanta provides $9 million annually in charity care.”

With the success of the capital campaign, the hospital will be assisted in receiving local, state and federal matching funds along with investment by CHRISTUS Health, the mayor noted.

Staff photos by Neil Abeles ■ Micah Johnson, at left, administrator/chief nursing officer of CHRISTUS St. Michael Hospital-Atlanta, welcomes community leaders to the announcing of a capital campaign with a goal of raising $500,000 in funding.

right Rachel Bouchard, left, director of clinical services, and Heather Biddy, chest pain, trauma and stroke program manager, explain the role of the operating room, which is close to the emergency services area.

■ Kelli Thompson, clinical coordinator of outpatient services, is explaining the hospital’s rehabilitation program and facilities.

■ Debbie Hughes, clinical educator, explains the hospital’s comprehensive diabetes education program.

■ This Genius 3D/HD mammography machine at CHRISTUS St. Michael Hospital-Atlanta is one of the latest.