In 1901, the founders of the Georgia Baptist Health Care System began their mission of healing with a few brown bottles of medicine, a jar of cotton swabs, and primitive stethoscopes. Penicillin had not yet been discovered, neither was it possible to treat, much less to cure cancer. Still, in a tiny four-room house on Luckie Street in Atlanta, Georgia, Baptist founders began to heal as best they could. Their mission in 1901 was to demonstrate the love of Jesus Christ through a health care ministry.

Nearly a century has passed since the humble beginnings of the Georgia Baptist Health Care System. Yet, our mission remains unchanged. Also unchanged is the sick patient's need for compassion, understanding and hope - the very qualities that make the healing ministry of Georgia Baptist different from all others. In today's changing health care environment, full of mergers and acquisitions, Georgia Baptist has remained steadfast in our original mission. Our Christian healing ministry remains our unwavering commitment.

The list is long of health care facilities across the state of Georgia. Many have the latest in technology and state-of-the-art facilities. To some, all of these facilities are the same. But, Baptist Medical Center in Cumming truly stands out above the rest. Backed by the Georgia Baptist Health Care System's strong tradition of Christian ministry, Baptist Medical Center is able to fill a basic need in every person's life - the need to be cared for in a compassionate way. This compassionate caring is demonstrated by every single person at Baptist Medical Center. Physicians, nurses, administrators, volunteers, and staff members are all here to serve our patients and to make their visit more pleasant. With the opening of the new Baptist Medical Center facility, our staff and physicians are able to provide our special healing ministry to an even larger group of people in need.

In March 1999, the U.S. Census Bureau declare Forsyth County the fastest growing county in the United States. On March 12, 1999, the grand opening was held for Baptist Medical Center, a brand new $27 million facility with 44 beds and 92,000 square feet to serve that growing community! The 148-acre campus is home to a staff of 300 and more than 175 physicians. The 24-hour Emergency Department at Baptist Medical Center has consistently seen 2000 patients per month since its opening. Baptist Medical Center is also home to a 10,000 square foot, state-of-the-art rehabilitation center called P.O.W.E.R. (Promotion of Wellness, Exercise and Rehab), a cardiac intensive care unit, a fully-leased medical office building, home care, family counseling, long-term skilled care, Medicare Managed Care services, and Baptist Life Flight helicopter service. In 1993, Georgia Baptist was proud to bring a hospital into a community where previously there had been none. We are even more proud to bring this wonderful new Medical Center to the people who have been so loyal to us over the years.

The grand opening of Baptist Medical Center is just the beginning. Georgia Baptist already has plans for expansion of the existing facility and is exploring opportunities to offer additional services in the future.

Your participation in The Invitational* will contribute greatly to the funding of this ongoing project, furthering the mission of Baptist Medical Center and the Georgia Baptist Health Care System. Our heartfelt thanks go out to all of you. In reward for your efforts, you can be proud that you have played a part in giving North Georgia a medical center that offers our patients the best in medical technology combined with compassion and the healing touch of caring health care providers. We are proud to join in partnership with you as we continue to expand our mission to heal the sick.

*The Invitational
Melissa M. Bishop