Newly Released Healthcare Providers Study

The Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce recently completed a visual geographic information system study of 447 healthcare providers in Gainesville-Hall County with a variety of medical and dental service providers profiled. As a growing regional center of healthcare services for over 1.8 million people in an 18-county area of Northeast Georgia, immediate access to healthcare services is a benefit to quality of life and a significant source of employment and income.

“Access to world-class healthcare improves the quality of life for residents in Gainesville-Hall County and throughout the region,” said Kit Dunlap, President and CEO of the Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce.  “The quantity and quality of healthcare services available in Hall County allows area residents to have top-rated care close to their homes, families and friends.  Additionally, the indigent care by our healthcare providers has an immeasurable impact on our residents in need.”

The study concludes the community’s growing healthcare sector employs 14,725 or 14.2% of the workforce in Hall County.  The Georgia Department of Labor reports the average salary for the sector in Hall County is $56,316, signifying that healthcare providers in Gainesville-Hall County account for an estimated $829 million in annual payroll.

Approximately 73% of Hall County’s healthcare employment is concentrated in the City of Gainesville, with 284 healthcare service provider locations employing 10,786 with an estimated $605 million in annual payroll.

The largest provider, Northeast Georgia Medical Center (NGMC) in Gainesville, has 4,865 employees, is a verified Level II Trauma Center and has the state’s first Emergency Cardiac Care Center Designation. The geographic study performed by the Chamber indicates NGMC is at the epicenter of a large community of physician practices, specialty medical services, dental services, elder care facilities and independent clinics.

“Northeast Georgia Medical Center is a significant economic engine for Gainesville and Hall County,” said Carol Burrell, President and CEO for Northeast Georgia Health System.  “According to annual reports produced by the Georgia Hospital Association, NGMC provides an economic impact on our local and state economies that is greater than $2 billion, and we know the majority of that impact is made here in our local community and region.  We take that responsibility very seriously – knowing that so many in our community rely not just on the healthcare services we provide, but also on our financial stability and economic stimulus.”

Other major providers by employment in the study include multi-specialty practices such as Longstreet Clinic, Northeast Georgia Diagnostic Clinic and Northeast Georgia Physicians Group (a group employed by Northeast Georgia Health System).

The study also highlights other growing concentrations of healthcare service providers in South Hall County, employing more than 3,250 in Braselton, Oakwood, Flowery Branch and Buford.  Northeast Georgia Medical Center Braselton is a fast-growing center for healthcare services for residents on the I-85 corridor; the hospital is surrounded by a growing number of healthcare providers that have expanded their service coverage from Gainesville, Athens and Gwinnett County.

A study by the Governor’s High Demand Career Initiatives concluded that healthcare is one of the high-demand career fields anticipated to grow over the next five to ten years in Georgia.  According to the Georgia Department of Labor, employment in healthcare services is expected to grow 2.8% per year and add nearly 140,000 jobs across Georgia through 2022.

Northeast Georgia Medical Center’s Graduate Medical Education (GME) program expanded to 64 residents in General Surgery, Internal Medicine and Family Medicine programs in 2020. The program plans to extend to more than 200 residents across six specialties – General Surgery, Internal Medicine, Family Medicine, Emergency Medicine, OB/GYN and Psychiatry – by 2023. The GME program is expected to drive more than $66 million into Hall County’s economy from 2019 to 2023 – and an additional $18 million in local economic impact for each year after.

Local institutions like Brenau University, the University of North Georgia and Lanier Technical College play an important role in developing the skilled talent and professional training to fill the growing demand for healthcare professionals.

Tim Evans, Vice President of Economic Development for the Greater Hall Chamber, facilitated the healthcare study, noting, “Quality of life and healthcare are the primary benefits of having a first-class regional healthcare center in Hall County, but there is certainly a halo effect of healthcare employment and income that benefits other commercial, retail and residential development in Hall County.”

RESOURCES
2020-2021 Healthcare Providers and Employment Overview Quick Facts
2020-2021 Map of Gainesville-Hall County Healthcare Providers by Employment
2020-2021 List of Healthcare Service Providers in Gainesville-Hall County by Employer
2020-2021 List of Healthcare Service Providers in Gainesville-Hall County by Number of Employees

About the Study

The Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce performed the study of Healthcare Service Providers by compiling data from various sources, including the Georgia Department of Labor and more than 400 coordinating phone calls and emails with healthcare service providers to confirm employment by location. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, numerous healthcare providers have added employees to meet the needs of the community. Furthermore, healthcare providers continue to open new locations or add additional locations throughout Hall County.

References

About Gainesville-Hall County, Georgia

Gainesville-Hall County, Georgia is a vibrant and growing community located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Surrounded by beautiful Lake Sidney Lanier, the area offers an unparalleled quality of life and a sound economic future for business and industry. Gainesville-Hall County is home to 47 Fortune 500 firms, more than 320 manufacturing and processing concerns, and 50 international companies representing 15 foreign countries.