In March 2007, a Category 3 tornado devastated the rural city of Americus, Georgia, destroying Sumter Regional Hospital—the historic town’s only medical facility. With a large number of physicians moving on to other medical centers and some practicing out of trailers, it was clear that the city of Americus desperately needed a new facility.

In response, Phoebe Putney Health System selected Gresham Smith to master plan a brand-new acute care hospital. The end result? A state-of-the-art replacement facility renamed Phoebe Sumter Medical Center that not only meets the specific needs of the community but also attracts top-tier physicians and nurses from larger cities such as Atlanta.

Client

Phoebe Sumter Medical Center

Location

Americus, GA

Project Type

Healthcare

Accolades

Showcase

190k

square feet

76

bed facility with capacity for 250 beds

3

medical office buildings

Rightsized & Designed for Future Growth

Rightsized & Designed for Future Growth

Gresham Smith was initially charged with designing a 100-bed hospital, but it soon became apparent that the community didn’t merely need to replace what was lost. They needed a new facility that was rightsized and designed to provide an efficient, flexible and patient-centric healthcare environment. We conducted a detailed market analysis to determine the optimal number of beds for the replacement hospital and recommended that a 76-bed facility—with the potential to expand to up to 250 beds—was much more reasonable and financially sustainable.
Understanding What Makes Them Tick

Understanding What Makes Them Tick

We worked closely with the hospital to garner a thorough understanding of their operational processes, engaging staff from every department. We discussed their current practices and then looked for opportunities to improve those practices. This resulted in a number of key takeaways that we incorporated into the final design—including the minimization of departmental boundaries—that not only improve staff efficiency but also enhance the overall patient experience.
It Takes a Village

It Takes a Village

The new 76-bed, 190,000-square-foot hospital and three freestanding medical office buildings were arranged on the 40-acre campus using the principles of New Urbanism—a strategy that looks at how a building fits within the larger whole. Rather than design a single building, we decided to create a “medical village” that organized the hospital building and three MOBs around a public town square, allowing the heart of the campus to serve as a stage for community events while reflecting Phoebe Sumter’s commitment to Americus. The medical village includes a Women’s and Family Health Center, an Oncology & Surgery Center, and a Wellness & Education Center. 
Evidence-Based Design & Sustainable Strategies

Evidence-Based Design & Sustainable Strategies

Evidence-based design strategies such as family zones and bedside control of the environment were incorporated into the patient rooms. To provide patients with a pleasant view and add to the facility’s overall sustainability, a roof garden was situated on top of the hospital’s main building.
An Iconic Symbol of Hope

An Iconic Symbol of Hope

With the distinction of being the first LEED Silver certified medical campus in the southeastern United States, Phoebe Sumter Medical Center stands as an iconic symbol of hope and represents a new beginning for the city of Americus. The replacement facility provides first-class healthcare services while bringing back a sense of permanence and pride to a once devastated community.

Gallery

Project Contact

Our team designs with genuine care for ingenious solutions.

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Robert "Skip" Yauger, AIA, LEED AP
Robert "Skip" Yauger, AIA, LEED AP
Senior Vice President