A ribbon-cutting was held Thursday for the new helipad at Floyd Medical Center as Atrium Health Floyd celebrated another milestone in its expanding trauma program.

The helipad provides quicker and more direct access for trauma patients requiring treatment at the hospital’s Emergency Care Center (ECC). The helipad sits on the North Second Avenue entrance to the ECC.

“This effort actually began two years ago as we were building up our trauma center,” said Kurt Stuenkel, executive vice president of Atrium Health and president and CEO of Atrium Health Floyd. “In 1981 Floyd was the very first designated trauma center in the state of Georgia. We have been at this for over 40 years. In very real way this helipad is a symbol of our renewed dedication to deliver trauma care in this region for years to come. In fact, Floyd is now the only Level 2 trauma center in northwest Georgia and also serves and participates in Alabama’s trauma network for northeast Alabama.”

The helipad is only one piece in the advanced trauma services at Atrium Health Floyd. Floyd has worked closed with all physicians and especially with the Harbin Clinic general surgeons and neurosurgeons to meet the new American College of Surgeons Level 2 Trauma Standards.

These two specialties in particular require more dedicated resources under the new standards. The Harbin Clinic has historically supported our trauma service over these past 40 years and they likewise have stepped up and dedicated a higher level of coverage in the past 2 years.

Orthopedics is another key specialty and Harbin and the Rome Orthopedic Center provide that care, and are now anchored with a new sub-specialty provided through Dr. Chad Beck.  Dr. Beck is the region’s first orthopedic traumatologist. He specializes in the repair of complex fractures that frequently occur with trauma. Cases that previously were transferred to other facilities are now cared for here at Floyd. Our enhanced services are making a difference and our trauma numbers are up. Healthcare providers in the region have recognized the high level of service at Floyd and are referring more cases here.

Stuenkel credited Dr. Clarence “Mac” McKemie with presenting the idea for the helipad. McKemie, a Harbin Clinic surgeon, is the trauma medical director at Floyd Medical Center.

“This is our commitment to the community,” Stuenkel. “We are going to be here for a long time. What we have done is keep trauma care local and that is good for both patients and family members.”

Floyd Medical Center is the only Level II Trauma Center in Georgia EMS Region 1, which covers 16 Georgia counties over 5,439 square miles. There are no Level I Trauma Centers in the region.

“This community is lucky to have the most advanced healthcare amenities there are, and Atrium Health Floyd’s new helipad can now be added to that list. We were honored to help celebrate this new addition to their facility,” said Pam Powers Smith, president of the Rome-Floyd Chamber.