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Atrium Health Floyd announced that it has acquired the Northwest Georgia Medical Clinic as the Federal Trade Commission reviews a larger acquisition proposal with Harbin Clinic.

Atrium and the clinic finalized an agreement to combine, bringing Northwest Georgia Medical Clinic under the Atrium Health care delivery brand, an announcement released Monday morning stated.

“This is a great day for both our organizations as we come together as one,� said Kurt Stuenkel, president of Atrium Health Floyd. “The team at Northwest Georgia Medical Clinic is known for its medical expertise and is highly respected in our community.�

The clinic, founded in 1976 by Dr. Jim Rogers, is located at 15 Riverbend Drive. It offers obstetrical, gynecological and family medicine services.

Providing obstetrics and gynecology services are Dr. James H. Vick III, Medical Director Dr. William Keith Montgomery, Dr. Christopher J. Pickens, Dr. Lisa W. Blake, Dr. Kristen H. Leezer, Dr. Victoria Custer and Tonya Bridges, CNM; Suni Carroll, FNP; Ashley Holloway, FNP; and Savannah Scoggins, CNM.

Dr. James T. Douglas is the family medicine and obstetrical services doctor. Emma Cordle, FNP; Mary Kelly Carter Harbin, FNP; and Lori Ponder, FNP, provide family medicine services. Angie Smith serves as operations manager. The clinical manager is Gina Lance.

“Our mission to improve health, elevate hope and advance healing — for all, drives everything we do,� Stuenkel added. “Now Northwest Georgia Medical Clinic will have access to resources at Atrium Health Floyd and all of Atrium Health to further their work in providing clinical excellence, service to the community and care for all.�

The partners of Northwest Georgia Medical Clinic released an unattributed statement concerning the deal:

“This partnership enables us to offer an even higher standard of care with access to cutting-edge technology and resources. While our name may change, we remain the same dedicated physicians who have proudly served this community since 1977.�

The announcement comes a week after the FTC stepped in to take a second, more detailed, look at AtriumÐÔÊӽ紫ý proposed acquisition of Harbin Clinic. Representatives at both Atrium and Harbin confirmed an email acquired by the Rome News-Tribune internally announcing the news.

The more detailed review comes after an initial review by the federal agency.

Whenever two healthcare companies report a proposed deal, the FTC or ÐÔÊӽ紫ý of Justice will do a preliminary review to determine whether it raises any antitrust concerns that warrant closer examination.

If the initial review raises a concern regarding competition, the agency can opt to take a closer look at how the merger will affect competitive practices in the area.

A second request by the FTC is more involved than the first review. Once that process is completed the agency has three options: Close the investigation — at which point the deal is allowed to move forward — or enter into a settlement with the companies, or take legal action to block the deal in ÐÔÊӽ紫ý District Court or through the agencyÐÔÊӽ紫ý administrative process.

Whatever the process, it will likely delay the deal between Atrium and Harbin for months, if not years.

Chattooga emergency department opens

The Atrium Health Floyd Chattooga Emergency ÐÔÊӽ紫ý — which fills a need for emergency care in an underserved area — opened its doors in Chattooga County on Monday morning.

“This is a significant milestone in Chattooga County and the regionÐÔÊӽ紫ý history,â€� Stuenkel said. “This stand-alone emergency department is the first of its kind in the state. Atrium Health Floyd is proud to be the leader in expanding access to quality health care in rural communities. We will improve health, elevate hope and advance healing with this new stand-alone emergency department.â€�

The $18.4 million emergency department will not only serve Chattooga County it will also serve rural portions of Walker County and northeast Alabama. The 10,884-square-foot facility features six treatment rooms, an onsite laboratory and imaging services, including X-ray and computed tomography.

An on-site helipad will provide quick access to Atrium Health Floyd Medical Center in Rome. While the facility just opened Monday, Atrium is already looking toward the future. A second Atrium Health Floyd Mobile Mammography Coach eventually will be headquartered at the site to ensure more women have convenient access to lifesaving breast cancer screenings.

Stuenkel and the Atrium Health Floyd team have gone above and beyond expectations, said Sole Commissioner Blake Elsberry in a statement. He also thanked local legislators and others who helped make it happen.

“This is an innovative project, and it is going to save lives,� Elsberry said. “It will be a blueprint for other communities in rural Georgia and is a testament to what can be done when strong partners come together to solve a problem in the community.�

The facility is the newest addition to the emergency and trauma care Atrium already provides.

In September 2022, Atrium Health Floyd EMS became the official ambulance service provider in Chattooga County, positioning five ambulances across the county — representing more than a $1 million investment in new vehicles and equipment.