Governor Perdue announces FEMA reimbursement For Sumter Regional Hospital

ATLANTA – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has approved a $5.5 million grant to reimburse the majority of Sumter Regional Hospital’s (SRH) costs for leased medical equipment in its new temporary facility. SRH sustained a direct hit from a 2007 tornado and opened a state-of-the-art interim facility in early 2008.

“Sumter County and the city of Americus were greatly impacted by the devastation of their lifeline, Sumter Regional Hospital,” said Governor Sonny Perdue. “We appreciate FEMA’s continued support of this community. This reimbursement will improve the hospital’s medical equipment and its ability to save lives.”

Located in Americus, the hospital is the only primary care medical facility within a seven-county area of south Georgia. The new temporary hospital opened on April 1, 2008.

“We look forward to the continued partnership with FEMA as we move along in the rebuilding of the permanent facility,” said GEMA Director Charley English.

Hospital officials are still hopeful that they will be able to break ground on the new permanent replacement hospital in early 2009.

“FEMA has been a committed partner in the hospital’s recovery and rebuilding process,” said Regional Administrator Phil May. “We are pleased that this grant will help the facility continue to provide vital healthcare services to the region.”

FEMA is covering 75 percent of a total project cost of nearly $7.4 million for mammography, operating room lighting, and radiological and cardiac care items. The funds are part of the federal outlay for recovery from the tornado under a presidential disaster declaration. The 25 percent required non-federal cost share is provided in equal parts from the State and local funding through the Sumter Regional Hospital.

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