Healthcare

The quality and availability of healthcare contribute greatly to making a desirable place to live. Fortunately for Oconee County residents, excellent healthcare from two outstanding hospitals is only ten miles away in nearby Athens.

Athens Regional Medical Center

"State-of-the-Art treatment commands first class care in Oconee County."Athens Regional Medical Center (ARMC) is a +/-300-bed facility that serves 14 counties in Northeast Georgia. Thc facility features a vast array of specialized programs such as emergency services, a MRI unit, heart catheterization lab, a linear accelerator for radiation therapy, an open heart surgery center, an inpatient and outpatient drug and alcohol abuse unit, an outpatient surgery center and an outpatient radiology facility.

As a public, not-for-profit institution, ARMC's mission is to provide medical care to everyone who enters its doors, regardless of ability to pay.

Regional First Care is Oconee County's walk-in medical center. Services include occupational health (including ADA exams and immediate post injury workers' compensation cases), treatment of minor illnesses and injuries, gynecological procedures, pediatrics, vaccinations and many family practice procedures. A medical doctor is on duty at all times.

St. Mary's Hospital

St. Mary's Hospital is owned and operated by St. Mary's Health Care System, Inc. The system is a progressive care-provider for all stages of a person's life and, includes Wellness Works, Home Health Care Services, Long Term Care Facility and Hospice. The Hospital is a 196-bed high-tech, acute-care facility which includes both adult aud neonatal intensive care facilities, a 24-hour emergency center, a perinatal center and a full scope of outpatient and inpatient diagnostic treatment. For fast response to the area's emergency medical needs, St. Mary's has an ambulance service based in Oconee County.

St. Mary's Oconee County Women's Resource Center is one of nine branch offices or outreach centers that is located throughout Northeast Georgia. The center, located at 1586 Mars Hill Road, is Oconee County's convenient connection to all of St. Mary's services.

Other Health Care Services

Also available are public health facilities, neighborhood health centers and private physician groups to provide every medical specialty.

Locally, Oconee County residents are served by physicians providing family practice care, general/internal medicine, gynecology and pediatrics. Other medical services offered include optometry, dental, orthodontal and periodontal.

Ten veterinarians are located in the county to provide medical care for small and large animals.

Family Life Enrichment Centers, Inc. is a skilled nursing facility which provides healthcare to the elderly in a family-centered spiritual atmosphere in the picturesque rural setting at High Shoals. Comprehensive patient care is provided through planned and coordinated services and programs from Family Life Campus.

Magnolia Estates Assisted Living on Mars Hill Road is a retirement center with a comfortable home-like astmosphere with creative living for ambulatory adults.

Many healthcare needs can be addressed by the Oconee County Health Department. Services include family planning, maternal health, child health services, immunizations, blood pressure monitoring, food service inspection, rabies investigation, and home inspection for foster care. Other facilities serving Oconee County include the Northeast Georgia Mental Health Center, Mental Retardation Center and Substance Abuse Center in Athens.

The First Responders Program, operated through the EMS office, allows residents to receive first aid before the ambulance arrives. Many of the First Responders are certified Emergency Medical Technicians.