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September 23, 2026

AdventHealth Gordon Gets State Approval For Level II NICU

Local News, Local News Items #adventhealthgordon, #CalhounGA, #chattoogacounty, #ChattoogaInfo, #floydcountyga, #GeorgiaDepartmentOfCommunityHealth, #GeorgiaHealthcare, #GordonCountyGA, #healthcare, #LevelIINICU, #MaternalHealth, #NeonatalCare, #NewbornCare, #NICU, #northwestgeorgia, #WomensHealth, #WZQZ, #wzqznews, AdventHealth 0

Families in Gordon County and across Northwest Georgia could soon have access to more advanced newborn care closer to home.

The Georgia Department of Community Health has issued AdventHealth Gordon a Certificate of Need to establish a four-bed Level II Neonatal Intensive Care Unit within the hospital’s existing Women’s Services Area. The approval is still subject to a standard 30-day appeal period.

AdventHealth Gordon is the only hospital in Gordon County and currently provides obstetric and newborn care. The proposed Level II NICU would allow more babies requiring additional medical support following birth to receive specialized care in Calhoun rather than having to be transferred farther from their families.

Hospital officials say the unit would also provide additional support for monitoring newborns, parent education, bonding, breastfeeding and discharge planning.

Justin Birmele, president and CEO of AdventHealth Gordon and AdventHealth Murray, said the approval represents an important step toward expanding care for Northwest Georgia families and allowing mothers and babies to remain closer together when additional care is needed.

Georgia classifies Level II neonatal services as specialty or neonatal intermediate care, providing a higher level of newborn care than basic Level I services.

The state approval does not mean the new unit will open immediately. The Certificate of Need remains subject to the 30-day appeal period before the project can move forward.

July 6, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Georgia Health Officials Warn Young Mothers About Vaping Risks

Local News, Local News Items #BabyHealth, #chattoogacounty, #ChattoogaInfo, #GeorgiaHealth, #MaternalHealth, #Nicotine, #northwestgeorgia, #PregnancyHealth, #PublicHealth, #Vaping, #WZQZ, #wzqznews, #YoungMothers, #YourHometownRadioStation 0

Georgia health officials are warning expectant and young mothers that vaping is not a safe alternative to smoking, especially during pregnancy or around infants.

The Georgia Department of Public Health says vape products often contain highly addictive nicotine and other substances that are heated and inhaled into the lungs. The CDC says nicotine products are not safe during pregnancy and can harm a baby’s developing brain and lungs.

The warning is especially important in communities across Northwest Georgia, where young families may see vaping as less harmful than cigarettes. Health experts say secondhand exposure can also be dangerous for babies and small children, and homes and vehicles should remain smoke-free and vape-free.

Mothers who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or caring for infants are encouraged to talk with their doctor or local health department about safe ways to quit nicotine use.

Georgia residents looking for help can contact Ready to Quit GA, the state’s tobacco quit resource.

May 29, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

AdventHealth Gordon Opens New Milk Depot To Support Infants Across Northwest Georgia

Local News, Local News Items #adventhealthgordon, #CalhounGA, #chattoogacounty, #DonorBreastMilk, #FamilyCare, #HealthcareNews, #InfantHealth, #MaternalHealth, #MedicallyFragileInfants, #MilkDepot, #MothersMilkBankSoutheast, #northwestgeorgia, #PrematureBabies, #TheBabyPlace, #wzqznews 0

AdventHealth Gordon has opened a new Milk Depot in Calhoun to help expand access to donor breast milk for premature and medically fragile infants across Northwest Georgia.

December 21, 2025

by WZQZ NEWS

Atrium Health Floyd Medical Center Named a U.S. News “Best Hospital for Maternity Care,” Earns Maternity Care Access Designation

Local News, Local News Items #atriumhealthfloyd, #FloydMedicalCenter, #GeorgiaHealthcare, #LaborAndDelivery, #MaternalHealth, #MaternityCare, #northwestgeorgia, #RomeGA, #ruralhealth, #USNews, #wzqznews 0

Atrium Health Floyd Medical Center has been recognized by U.S. News & World Report in its annual listing of the “Best Hospitals for Maternity Care.”