Members of the Cherokee County Healthcare Authority, local dignitaries, members of the public and a number of Executives from Floyd Healthcare gathered at Floyd Cherokee Medical Center on Tuesday afternoon for the official unveiling of the new emergency department at the facility. The hospital now has an expanded waiting area, added exam rooms and new imaging equipment in the Radiology Department.

Floyd Cherokee Medical Center Administrator Brandon Reece said that the ultimate goal is to be able to keep more patients in Cherokee County so they don’t have to travel somewhere else to have their needs met.

Eric Ellis, Chairman of the Cherokee County Healthcare Authority said that when the Healthcare Authority partnered with Floyd several months ago, this was the type of Milestone they were hoping to celebrate. Ellis said that the new state of the art facility shows Floyd’s commitment and dedication to providing quality healthcare in Cherokee County.

Kurt Stunkel, President & CEO also spoke during the unveiling. Stunkel said that one of the first thing noticed when he toured the hospital is that the emergency department was one of the most heavily utilized services and was in much need of renovation. Stunkel said that it is his hope that once word spreads throughout the community that people will begin to utilize the hospital in greater numbers.

David Early, Vice President of Operations said the goal almost a year ago was for Floyd Cherokee Medical Center to flourish, be successful and to earn the respect the of residents inside and outside of Cherokee County. 

More changes will be coming in June as doctors who previously  only worked in the emergency room will be providing care to other patients inside the hospital.