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The Marcus Foundation Gives $20 Million to Grady Health System

Posted on: Friday, 17 April 2009, 03:00 CDT

Grady to develop world-class Trauma Center and Neurological Intensive Care Unit

ATLANTA, April 17 /PRNewswire/ -- The Marcus Foundation today announced a $20 million gift to Grady Health System to improve emergency care to trauma and acute neurological injury victims throughout Georgia. The gift will enable Grady to expand hospital space for trauma and brain injury victims and improve time-dependent therapies for stroke and acute neurological emergencies. The new facilities will be named The Marcus Stroke & Neuroscience Center at Grady and The Marcus Trauma Center at Grady.

The project involves renovating existing hospital space to expand Grady's Trauma Center capacity from four to six dedicated trauma bays with the proper equipment, space, and resuscitation capacity to enhance life-saving patient care. Patients could then be transferred for two to ten days of care in a new 20-bed Neuro Intensive Care Unit. The funding will cover the cost of construction, equipment and recruitment of five key physicians to support the facilities.

"This gift provides us the capital to expand and modernize Grady's Trauma Center and build a new Neuro Intensive Care Unit in existing unused hospital space," said Grady President and CEO Michael Young. "These improvements will enable Grady to advance its already strong trauma care services and provide cutting-edge acute emergency care for traumatic brain injury and stroke patients. In addition to improving care, the Neuro ICU program's solid reimbursement rates should contribute greatly to Grady's ongoing fiscal sustainability."

"Grady will now be able to offer metro Atlanta a much needed 'go to' facility for neurological emergencies that operates 24 hours a day," said Bernie Marcus, chairman of the Marcus Foundation. "It is imperative to other hospitals and services throughout Atlanta and Georgia, including the Shepherd Center's Acquired Brain Injury Program and the Marcus Community Bridge Program, that Grady continues to be the leader in trauma and acute care, with the most skilled medical personnel and most updated equipment. And we hope this donation encourages others to make funding commitments to enable this facility to continue doing so much good for all those it touches."

"We have stressed for years how vital Grady is to healthcare here in metro Atlanta and across the state. I think this gift from the Marcus Foundation is recognition not only of Grady's current status but also of its remarkable potential," said A.D. "Pete" Correll, chairman of Grady Memorial Hospital Corp., which oversees Grady Health System. "Personally, I am touched by the magnitude of Bernie and Billi's gift and professionally, I look forward to seeing its impact on a team that has proven it can translate research findings to clinical outcomes."

About Grady Health System

Grady Health System is one of the largest public health systems in the United States. Grady consists of the 953-bed Grady Memorial Hospital, nine neighborhood health centers, Crestview Health & Rehabilitation Center - and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Hughes Spalding, which is operated as a Children's affiliate.

With its nationally acclaimed Emergency Care Center and Burn Unit, Grady Health System has the only level I trauma center in the region and serves as the ambulance provider for the city of Atlanta. The state's only Poison Center is housed at Grady, as well.

The Diabetes Detection & Control Center, Georgia Cancer Center for Excellence, Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center, Primary Stroke Center and Avon Foundation Comprehensive Breast Center are also notable components of the health system. Moreover, Grady's Infectious Disease Program was named one of the top three HIV/AIDS outpatient clinics in the country.

Other exceptional medical services include Grady's Regional Perinatal Center and its Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, the Primary Care Center, a dedicated 60 Plus service line for older adults, Teen Services, the Rape Crisis Center and a 24-hour Advice Nurse Line.

SOURCE Grady Health System

Source: PR Newswire

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