St. Mary's Health Care System

08/05/2026

Knee pain can creep up slowly, until one day it's affecting how you walk, sleep, or keep up with the people you love. So how do you know when it's more than just "getting older"?

In our latest Health Insights Mini-Pod, Dr. Randy Lavender breaks down:

The warning signs it may be time to consider surgery
What non-surgical options are worth trying first
What recovery from a knee replacement actually looks like

Whether you're dealing with occasional stiffness or knee pain that's taken over your daily life, this quick listen will help you feel more confident about your next step.

Listen now: https://bit.ly/4wvbtdY

08/04/2026

We were honored to welcome the Georgia Hospital Association Leadership GHA Class of 2026–2027 to St. Mary's Health Care System as part of their first week of programming.

Thank you for spending the day with us and allowing us to share how our team is advancing high-quality, compassionate care across Northeast Georgia. We appreciate the opportunity to showcase the incredible work happening throughout our health care system and to connect with such an inspiring group of emerging leaders.

A special thank you to our President & CEO, Stonish Pierce, and members of our leadership team for sharing their expertise and vision for the future of health care.

We look forward to seeing all that this outstanding class will accomplish in the years ahead.

The 2026-2027 class of Leadership GHA wrapped up the first week of the program with a visit to St. Mary's Health Care System. Thank you to Trinity Health System Georgia President and CEO Stonish Pierce and the leadership team for sharing your insights with our group!

08/03/2026

We’re proud that St. Mary's Good Samaritan Hospital is participating in the KidsABC initiative, helping strengthen pediatric emergency care in rural communities across Georgia.

Through hands-on training at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta of Atlanta Arthur M. Blank Hospital, our emergency department team continues to build the knowledge and skills needed to provide the highest level of care for our youngest patients when every second counts.

Thank you to the Georgia Rural Health Innovation Center Mercer University School of Medicine r and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta for investing in rural hospitals and the communities we serve. We are honored to be part of this important collaboration.

07/24/2026

If “Yeah!” by Usher was on repeat when you were in high school… this one’s for you. 🎶

If you were singing along to “Yeah!” in the early 2000s, there’s a good chance it’s time to make another smart move for your health.

Early detection saves lives, and an annual mammogram is one of the best ways to detect breast cancer early, when treatment is often most effective. St. Mary’s recommends that most women begin annual mammograms around age 40, though your provider may recommend a different schedule based on your personal or family history. Whether you’re due for your first mammogram or your yearly screening, our compassionate breast health team is here for you with advanced 3D mammography and convenient locations throughout our region.

📍 Schedule your mammogram at one of our 5 convenient locations. Call 706.389.2700 to schedule today.

💙 High-Level Care. Higher-Level Caring.

07/23/2026

St. Mary’s Good Samaritan Hospital is proud to be recognized among Becker’s Hospital Review’s “208 Top Hospitals for Physician Communication.”

Based on patient experience data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), St. Mary’s Good Samaritan Hospital is one of just 208 hospitals nationwide—and among a select group in Georgia—to earn this distinction for physician communication.

This national recognition is based entirely on patient feedback through the HCAHPS survey and reflects how patients felt their physicians:

✔️ Explained their care in a way they could understand
✔️ Listened carefully to their questions and concerns
✔️ Treated them with courtesy, compassion, and respect

At St. Mary’s Good Samaritan Hospital, exceptional care begins with meaningful communication. We are grateful to our physicians, providers, nurses, and care teams for making every patient interaction count, and we sincerely thank our patients for placing their trust in us.

High-Level Care. Higher-Level Caring.

Read more about this national recognition here: https://bit.ly/4w52q2B

07/21/2026

A Historic Day for Health Care in Lake Country 💙

Yesterday, we celebrated an exciting milestone as community members, leaders, supporters, donors and colleagues gathered for the groundbreaking of the new St. Mary’s Good Samaritan Medical Pavilion.

This transformational investment represents more than a new building—it reflects our commitment to expanding access to exceptional health care close to home for the people of Greene County and the entire Lake Country region.

During the ceremony, Stonish Pierce, FACHE, President/CEO of Trinity Health Georgia, reaffirmed Trinity Health’s commitment to investing in the future of our community. Russ Dawson, Chair of the St. Mary’s Good Samaritan Foundation Board, reminded us that while Trinity Health is making a significant investment, our community has been challenged to raise $10 million to help make this vision a reality.

The new Medical Pavilion will bring expanded access to vital services and more—making high-level care even more accessible for the communities we proudly serve.

We are grateful to everyone who joined us to celebrate this historic day and to the many donors, partners and community members whose support is helping shape the future of health care in our region.

Together, we are expanding access, strengthening our community, and building a healthier future.

To learn more about the project or support the campaign, visit stmarys-health.org.

High-Level Care. Higher-Level Caring.

07/18/2026

Congratulations to Jessica Hernandez-Yanez, a certified medical assistant with St. Mary’s Neurological Specialists, on receiving our July Spirit of Mercy Award!

Jessica is caring, kind, honest and patient. She fosters a culture of support, collaboration and excellence, often going over and beyond to help patients get the medications they need, explain what their insurance does and does not cover, and how to get help. She is a special blessing for our Spanish-speaking patients!

Thank you, Jessica—and congratulations!

07/16/2026

Orthopedics, perfectly orchestrated.

Every patient who walks through our doors gets the same thing, care that's been thought through from the first appointment to the last day of physical therapy. Nothing gets missed and nothing gets rushed. That's the difference coordinated care makes, and it's what we build every treatment plan around.

Learn more about St. Marys Orthopedics today: https://bit.ly/4cUvt1c

07/15/2026

🚨 We’re Hiring! 🚨

Looking for your next opportunity in nursing or medical imaging? Join St. Mary’s Health Care System – Sacred Heart for our Virtual Career Fair!

📅 Wednesday, July 15
🕑 2 – 7 p.m. EST

Connect one-on-one with our recruitment team to learn about exciting career opportunities, competitive benefits, and what makes St. Mary’s a place where you can grow your career while making a difference every day.

Whether you’re an experienced professional or just beginning your journey, we’d love to meet you.

📱 Scan the QR code in the graphic to RSVP today!

At St. Mary’s, you’ll find more than a job—you’ll find a team committed to providing High-Level Care. Higher-Level Caring.

07/14/2026

🏈 Big news for Athens!

St. Mary's Health Care System has been named the Official Health Care Provider of Athens Indoor Football, beginning with the team's inaugural Indoor Football League season in 2027. As part of this three-year partnership, St. Mary’s will provide athletic training, team physician services, sports medicine expertise, and comprehensive medical support to help keep players healthy and performing at their best.

But this partnership goes beyond game day. Together, St. Mary’s and Athens Indoor Football will collaborate on community outreach, health education initiatives, and employee wellness programs that benefit residents across our region.

We're proud to be part of bringing professional indoor football to Athens and look forward to making a lasting impact both on and off the field.

https://bit.ly/3TyhMyG

ATHENS, Ga. – Athens Indoor Football is proud to announce a landmark partnership with St. Mary’s Health Care System, which has been named the team’s Official Health Care Provider beginning with the club’s inaugural Indoor Football League (IFL) season in 2027. As one of Northeast Georgia’s ...