Faster Care in Our Emergency Department

Memorial Hospital and Manor launched a new Fast Track Patient Care Model in our Emergency Department in mid-December—and the results are already making a difference. Since starting Fast Track, average patient length of stay has been reduced to nearly 1/3 of what it was before.

Designed especially for a rural ER, Fast Track provides a dedicated area and staff for patients with minor illnesses and injuries, allowing them to be seen, treated, and discharged more quickly. Services include on-site testing (flu, strep, RSV, COVID), X-rays, and treatment for things like viral illnesses, minor injuries, and small lacerations.

Open 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., seven days a week, Fast Track helps patients who may not be able to take time off work or wait for an appointment—and it also frees up ER beds for more serious emergencies.

This is one more way we’re working to improve access, efficiency, and patient satisfaction—because our community matters to us.

The Olympus EVIS X1™ endoscopy system introduces a range of new technologies that aim to revolutionize the way gastrointestinal disorders can be detected, characterized and treated. Bainbridge, GA 01/05/2026 – Memorial Hospital and Manor announced today that it has invested in a new advanced endoscopy system to help improve the detection and treatment of gastrointestinal disorders. Memorial Hospital and Manor announced today that it is the first hospital in the region to invest in a new advanced endoscopy system to help improve the detection and treatment of gastrointestinal disorders. “It is wonderful to be able to offer state-of-the-art equipment right here in Bainbridge that is usually only available to larger centers when first launched. This is why programs such as Georgia HEART are vital to rural hospitals. It allows us to implement new technology and provide great care locally,” said Dr. Myers, general surgeon at Memorial Hospital. The Olympus EVIS X1™ endoscopy system provides a combination of diagnostic and therapeutic innovations to help improve patient care and streamline endoscopic procedures. Physicians use endoscopy systems to help diagnose and treat diseases and disorders of the upper and lower gastrointestinal tract such as acid reflux, ulcers, Crohn’s disease, Celiac disease, and colorectal cancer (CRC). An endoscope is most commonly used to perform a screening colonoscopy and to identify and potentially remove benign and precancerous growths, known as polyps. Technology associated with the EVIS X1™ endoscopy system such as Texture and Color Enhancement Imaging (TXI™) visualization can help our physicians enhance the quality of preventive screenings. TXI™ is designed to increase the visibility of potential lesions and polyps by enhancing image color and texture during an endoscopic screening. “The main reason we do colonoscopies is to detect polyps. This new system allows for improved visualization to help identify subtle lesions in the gastrointestinal tract that can be difficult to visualize or are camouflaged. This technology also has new diaphragmatic imaging or wavelength’s which allow us to identify and address bleeding that with prior technology would be more difficult detect.” said Dr. Myers. Along with maintaining a healthy lifestyle and diet, regular screenings like colonoscopy can help prevent CRC from developing by finding and removing lesions and slow-growing polyps before they have the chance to develop into cancer. “The lifetime risk of developing colorectal cancer is about 1 in 30 and symptoms oftentimes do not occur until late in presentation. Screening is key and a colonoscopy remains the gold standard.” said Dr. Myers. For more information about Memorial Hospital and Manor’s endoscopy services, please call Memorial Surgical Associates at 229-243-1700 and our staff will be happy to discuss any questions or concerns with you. About Olympus: Olympus develops solutions for healthcare professionals that help improve clinical outcomes, reduce overall costs and enhance quality of life for patients. By enabling less invasive procedures, innovative diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopy and early-stage colorectal and lung cancer evaluation and treatments, Olympus is transforming the future of healthcare.

Congratulations to Jessica Williamson on her promotion from Controller to Chief Financial Officer!

Jessica brings over a decade of business and banking experience and, a wealth of knowledge in financial operations. Her expertise, leadership, and dedication have been instrumental to our success during our recent transitions. We are excited to see her continue to make an impact in this new role.

We are pleased to announce that Susan Liipfert Shelton, PhD, CNM, APRN, has joined Memorial Hospital and Manor as our newest Certified Nurse Midwife. Susan brings a wealth of clinical, academic, and leadership experience in women’s health and midwifery, along with a strong connection to our community.

Susan holds a PhD in Nursing from Georgia State University, a Master of Science in Nursing with a Midwifery track from Emory University, and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Georgia Baptist College of Nursing at Mercer University.

Her approach to care is firmly rooted in patient-centered practice. Susan believes in listening closely to patients, providing evidence-based education and treatments, and supporting women and families as active partners in their healthcare decisions. She is passionate about midwifery’s focus on birth as a normal life process, wellness promotion, and advocacy for women and families.

Susan’s career journey is especially meaningful to our organization. She began her midwifery career in Bainbridge in 2001 at the Bainbridge Midwife Center, working alongside Drs. Burke and Robinson. She then spent nearly 20 years in nursing education, serving as faculty at Mercer University (Atlanta), the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Florida State University, and currently Georgia College & State University. Most recently, she lives in Tallahassee, where she served as a faculty member and Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Nursing at Florida State University before returning to full-time clinical practice as a CNM in 2022.

In addition to her clinical role at Memorial, Susan is excited to continue teaching in the Nurse Midwifery program at Georgia College and State University, helping educate the next generation of nurses and nurse practitioners.

Susan describes herself as a healthcare partner to her patients—focused on building relationships grounded in trust, respect, and shared goals for health and wellness. Her commitment to safe, high-quality care aligns strongly with our mission and values.

Please join us in welcoming Susan back to Bainbridge and to the Memorial Hospital and Manor family.

Memorial Hospital and Manor Administration

Thank you Mills Welding for this amazing Georgia Heart Tax Credit contribution! We appreciate you guys partnering with us as soon as you learned you could have a say in where and how your state tax dollars were used! We can’t wait to share with everyone in 2026 the equipment and facility upgrades that come as a result of these contributions! Thank you for choosing to support our local hospital and all the people we serve!

Thank you to Tim Smith and Associates, Tim, Carla, Ty, and Ryals Smith, and their team members, for all their generous contributions to the Georgia Heart Tax Credit Program in 2025!! It is wonderful being in a community where people and businesses choose to direct their state tax dollars back to our hospital and the health care of our community! We appreciate all of your support this year and thank you for helping us get the word out on this amazing program that is bringing new lines of service and equipment to our friends and neighbors!