North Carolina-based Atrium Health has announced their merger with Illinois based Advocate Aurora.   Atrium Health recently purchased Floyd Medical Center in Rome – and they now plan to build a free-standing emergency room in Chattooga County.

Commissioner Blake Elsberry said the plans for the new emergency room, which is to be built near Walmart, will serve as the template for rural healthcare throughout the state of Georgia.  That emergency room will be Atrium Health’s first free-standing ER in the Peach State.  Georgia has cleared the way for the new ER, and plans are moving forward, according to Atrium Health.

As far as Atrium Health’s merger with Advocate Aurora that was recently announced – things will not change.  The hospital in Rome will continue to use the Atrium brand; as will the new emergency room when it is completed in Chattooga County.

Last week the “Leapfrog Group” awarded Floyd Medical Center – and 12 other Atrium Health hospitals – with “A” grades on their spring report card.

(WZQZ/Chattooga County Radio)