Construction continues on Columbia County free-standing ER
EVANS, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - Construction is underway for Columbia County’s first free-standing emergency room.
We’re about five weeks into the work that will transform how long it takes you to receive emergency care.
Right now, Columbia County doesn’t have its own hospital or emergency room.
It may not look like much now, but work is well underway for the future of emergency health care in Columbia County.
Invasive snails in Georgia can kill you, wildlife agency warns
A type of infectious parasite has been spotted inside invasive snail species brought to Georgia, according to the Department of Natural Resources.
Doctors Hospital officials are happy about the visible progress, which will soon bring more medical professionals to the area to our region’s growing health care needs.
After four years of planning, bringing emergency services to the people in Columbia County is getting closer to saving lives.
“When an emergency pops up, time is of the essence,” said Columbia County resident Craig Smith.
Smith says it’s a game changer for him and his family knowing there are closer options if the unthinkable happens.
“From my house, it’s easily a 20-to-25-minute drive. And if it’s an emergency, you need to get to where you’re going quickly so you can get the help you need sooner rather than later. And so, you know that has always been potentially an issue,” said Smith.
Ex-DA’s trial ends as judge throws out indictment in Arbery case
A judge Wednesday threw out a felony indictment against a former Georgia prosecutor, ending her trial on charges that she abused her power.
Doctors Hospital of Augusta says construction is making significant progress on the nearly 12,000-square-foot facility.
Doctors Hospital CEO, Joanna Conley, says they’re closing in on hiring a manager to start with the hiring process.
She anticipates at least 60 critical medical positions in the area.
“We will have emergency nurses, EMTs, as well as radiology staff, laboratory staff, and others. So we’re really excited to be able to expand services,” said Conley.
Conley says outside of bringing state-of-the-art technology to the community, efforts are in motion to cut down on travel time.
How would Education Department’s end affect Ga., S.C. kids?
President Donald Trump says he may dissolve the Education Department, raising concerns among some parents and teachers in Georgia and South Carolina.
“We’re also working collaboratively with local EMS so that if someone has an emergency, they’re able to get to that location even more quickly and start to commence that lifesaving care,” she said.
Smith says he can see the progress and the hope it will bring to his growing community.
“Having a location so central in Columbia County is going to be a game changer, literally, could be life and death,” said Smith.
Conley says they’re now on pace to be done with construction by this fall.
Doctors Hospital says plans are also in place to expand programs and positions as patient volume increases.
Leaders say part of the plans is future expansions to its hospital in Augusta to that growth.
Copyright 2025 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
