Access to care close to home is something many take for granted until that care is no longer available. Georgia’s rural hospitals provide critical care to residents when and where they need it. However, industry shifts and economic challenges have forced many rural hospitals to close their doors, forcing millions of people to commute — some for hours — to receive the care they need.
Recognizing this strain on rural hospitals and the communities they serve, the Georgia legislature launched the Georgia Rural Hospital Tax Credit program. Through this program, Georgia taxpayers receive a 100% state income tax credit on contributions made to qualifying rural hospitals such as Wellstar Sylvan Grove Hospital.
Dollars making a difference
As in past years, contribution limits will be removed on July 1, 2022. Given recent enhancements and increased interest, the program is anticipated to reach its $60 million cap soon after the contribution limits are removed, making now a pivotal time for Sylvan Grove donors to pre-register for unlimited contributions. By registering your contribution early, you help ensure facilities like Wellstar Sylvan Grove Hospital receive the assistance they need.
Starting May 16, 2022 at 9 a.m., our administrative partner — Georgia HEART— will accept pre-registrations to be loaded on a first-come-first-serve basis once the limits are removed. The Wellstar Foundation is offering to assist Wellstar Sylvan Grove Hospital contributors with this pre-registration process. Contact the Foundation at [email protected] for assistance or click here to pre-register directly with Georgia HEART on May 16, 2022.
Since 2016, Wellstar Sylvan Grove Hospital has received a total of $10 million through this program. As facilitated through the Wellstar Foundation, every dollar has accelerated critical upgrades, including a full renovation of the hospital’s emergency department, radiology department expansion and leading-edge innovation, such as advanced CT scanning technology, that enhances physicians’ abilities to make better-informed medical decisions.
Providing PeopleCare
Advancements in treatments and technology benefit the residents of Butts County — patients like Mary “Lee” Nelson, a retired Butts County teacher who turned to Wellstar Sylvan Grove Hospital’s outpatient rehabilitation center for post-surgical physical therapy. The outpatient center was recently renovated with state-of-the-art equipment made possible through tax credit program contributions.
The former elementary grade teacher spends her retirement days traveling with her husband Bill, tending to her flower gardens and caring for her chickens. With such an active lifestyle, when Lee learned that she needed a knee replacement in 2021, she knew her local hospital would be able to provide the high-quality, compassionate care needed to get her back on her feet safely and quickly. Now, a few months after completing her physical therapy, Lee shares that she “feels normal again” and able to enjoy all the things that once brought her life so much joy.
How you can help
Through corporate and community partnership, the Wellstar Foundation is fueling innovation and action to address the vital needs of diverse communities in Georgia, including urban, suburban and rural communities. Wellstar is committed to delivering world-class healthcare to everyone close to home. Philanthropic support of the Wellstar Foundation is advancing innovation and expanding resources to create a healthier Georgia for all. To learn more, visit wellstar.org/foundation or contact the Wellstar Foundation at (770) 956-GIVE (4483).