Press Releases: Georgia
October 31, 2007
Kaiser Permanente Opens 14th Medical Facility in Georgia and 2nd in Gwinnett
Sugar Hill-Buford Medical Center will serve estimated 15,000–20,000 members
ATLANTA, Ga. – Kaiser Permanente opened its 14th medical center on Monday, Oct. 15, 2007, to accommodate its growing membership in Gwinnett County and surrounding areas. An official ribbon cutting and dedication ceremony for the new Sugar Hill-Buford Medical Center is scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 1, 2007, at 8 a.m. During the ceremony, Kaiser Permanente will present a $10,000 Good Neighbor Grant to North Gwinnett Cooperative in Buford.
The 16,400 square-foot facility–which represents a $6.5 million investment in the community–is the health plan’s second facility in Georgia built using an environmentally-conscious “green design,” which helps conserve energy as well as reduce indoor air quality problems and exposure to hazardous materials.
Conveniently located off I-985 in Northwest Gwinnett County at 1435 Broadmoor Boulevard (behind Applebee’s), the medical center provides convenient access to health care for people who live and work in Gwinnett, Fulton, Forsyth and Hall counties.
“When we reviewed demographics to determine where we needed to expand, we saw great opportunity in Gwinnett County,” said Erna Wilkerson, medical center administrator at the new location. “Many Gwinnett residents have told us our new center will be a welcome addition to the community because of its convenient location.”
Kaiser Permanente is initially staffing the state-of-the-art facility with three full-time physicians supported by a team of clinical and administrative personnel. Health care services offered include adult medicine, pediatrics/adolescent medicine, gynecology, onsite pharmacy, and limited lab and radiology services. Hours of operation are 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
The facility, the organization’s second in Gwinnett County, is part of a $35 million expansion plan to increase access for Kaiser Permanente’s members and prospective members. The health plan also operates the Kaiser Permanente Gwinnett Medical Center on Steve Reynolds Boulevard. In February 2007, Kaiser Permanente opened its West Cobb Medical Center, and in December the health plan is opening its Stonecrest Medical Center in Lithonia.
Reporter’s Note: Kaiser Permanente is hosting an official dedication and ribbon cutting ceremony for local dignitaries at the new medical center on Thursday, Nov. 1, from 8–9 a.m., with facility tours. Reporters interested in attending the ceremony or obtaining an image of the facility may contact 404-949-5121.
Kaiser Permanente is the state of Georgia's largest nonprofit health plan, serving the health care needs of Atlanta metro area residents for 22 years. Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of Georgia, Inc. currently provides comprehensive health care services to approximately 275,000 members through 15 medical facilities in a 28-county service, and a network of affiliated hospitals and physicians. The Health Plan provided more than $5 million in community benefit programs and services.
