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Success Stories

Jeff Davis Hospital: Overcoming Challenges and Securing a Sustainable Future

Jennifer Williams
Community Facilities
photo of Jeff Davis Hospital

In 2014, Jeff Davis Hospital in Hazelhurst, Georgia, faced the grim prospect of closure. The hospital, a vital resource for the local community, was outdated, very small, and not equipped to serve the community. Originally built in 1962, Jeff Davis Hospital was last renovated in 1974. The community once viewed the facility as just a small clinic, but over time, the community grew, along with their needs for medical care.  

Barry Bloom, a healthcare professional with 34 years of experience, stepped in as Chief Executive Officer with a vision to keep the hospital independent and continue serving the community as a not-for-profit institution. 

“We knew that even though our facility was clean, the outdated appearance gave people a different impression,” Bloom explained.  

old photo of Jeff Davis Hospital
Photo of a patient room before renovations.

The outdated capabilities of the facility also meant that it was harder to provide efficient care for residents. During the COVID-19 pandemic, those limitations became clear.  

 “The ability to have negative air pressure throughout the facility was a big issue and concern,” Bloom noted.  

Additionally, limited electrical capabilities required the facility to use extension cords to power multiple machines required to treat patients. 

“I think COVID was a huge indicator of that”, Bloom reflected, adding, “COVID obviously resulted in us taking on many more patients than what our facility was designed for, and we really saw where our limitations were.”  

The COVID-19 pandemic brought unprecedented challenges to the hospital. With only 25 beds, at times the hospital had to manage the needs of more than 40 patients. Without Jeff Davis Hospital many residents would need to travel over 45 minutes to the nearest hospital for care. There was a need for change long before the pandemic and Jeff Davis Hospital secured its first-round of crucial funding to support updating the hospital. 

In 2017, the hospital obtained a Community Facilities Direct and Guaranteed Loan from USDA Rural Development to construct a 10-bed geriatric hospital, providing employment for more staff including a new doctor. This marked the beginning of a bright future for the hospital and was the first step in the series of upgrades. 

photo of updated hospital room
Photo of a patient room after renovations

“The Rural Development loan gave us the opportunity to really make a difference regarding our image,” Bloom said, “and it greatly enhanced the efficiency of our staff as it related to the more advanced and more modern capabilities.” 

In April 2022, the hospital received another Community Facilities Direct and Guaranteed Loan for more renovations. This funding allowed for significant upgrades, including improvements to the nurse’s station, patient rooms, intensive care units, emergency room entrance, and the addition of an on-site pharmacy. Additionally, funding from an Emergency Rural Health Care Grant allowed the hospital to start construction on a new outpatient clinic. 

“It is really important for us to have services that are necessary and needed here in this community,” Bloom emphasized. “I think COVID has enhanced the understanding on the community level of the true need to have a hospital.”  

The continued investments and improvements at Jeff Davis Hospital reflect the community’s commitment to ensuring that quality healthcare remains accessible to all its residents for years to come. To learn more about different grants and loans available to support your business, visit the programs page. 

Obligation Amount:
$7,417,682
Year(s) of Obligation:
,
Congressional District:
  • Georgia: District 12