RIBBON CUTTING Members of the Jenkins County Hospital Authority are shown during a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the newly upgraded Radiology Department at the hospital. From left, are John Roy Clifton, Bobbye Cobb, Ed Wilson, JCH Chief Executive Officer Pete Mills, Cong. John Barrow, Bobby Dailey, Howard Elmore and Dr. Kyle Gay. (Staff photo by Deborah Bennett) The Radiology Department at Jenkins County Hospital (JCH) has been upgraded, thanks to a $266,000 HRSA federal grant.

During a ribbon-cutting ceremony held Wednesday, May 27, JCH Chief Executive Officer/ Administrator Pete Mills Jr. expressed appreciation to Congressman John Barrow for his assistance in securing the grant for the hospital, stating that he was "instrumental" in the process.

Mr. Mills explained that the new equipment made the Radiology Department "completely filmless" and allowed the hospital to electronically transmit x-rays to Chatham Radiology to be read by a radiologist.

"We no longer have to wait for someone to come here to read them," said Mr. Mills.

The new equipment consists of a Shimadzu mobile art portable x-ray machine as well as a digital and dicom General Electric radiology and fluoroscopy room. In addition to making the Radiology Department "filmless", the new equipment allows all images to be sent to the PACS server system to be stored.

JCH also expects to receive an additional $188,000 HRSA grant to be used for refurbishing of some of the patients' rooms and the purchase of IV pumps and other needed equipment.

Mr. Mills noted that these items were things that the hospital would not be able to afford without grant assistance, and, again, expressed appreciation to Cong. Barrow for his interest in JCH.

Following the ribbon-cutting ceremony, invited guests enjoyed a luncheon in the JCH cafeteria, prepared by hospital dietary staff.