“Employers want to know that their employees can live and thrive, and access to a comprehensive healthcare system is an important part of that discussion,” says Larry Ebert, Chief Executive Officer at Piedmont Eastside Medical Center and an active member of the Chairman’s Club. “We provide high-quality, safe healthcare in an environment that is comfortable and comforting, as well as close to home.”
Piedmont Eastside Medical Center is a 310-bed, multi-campus health system in Gwinnett, offering comprehensive medical care to a growing community. It has more than 500 physicians on the medical staff, 1,400 employees and 100 volunteers, many of whom live in Gwinnett County. The entire team is focused on making a positive difference in every life they touch, according to Ebert. “Piedmont doesn’t want to just make people healthier; we want to keep people healthy,” he says.
Technological Advances Shaping the Future of Healthcare
Piedmont Eastside is at the forefront of technological innovation changing the face of healthcare. “Technology plays a large role in healthcare, and the advances in medical-associated technology will continue to shape and improve the diagnosis and treatment of disease,” says Ebert. “Using technology to identify diseases sooner will help us improve preventative care as well as have the opportunity to treat patients earlier while limiting the impact on their quality of life,” he adds.
Guiding Growth Through Community Engagement
As a not-for-profit health system, Piedmont actively engages with the communities it serves to guide its growth strategies. Ebert notes the importance of his team’s periodic Community Health Needs Assessments, which identify local health needs and create a roadmap for time and resource allocation.
Ebert values Piedmont Eastside’s involvement with the Gwinnett Chamber, highlighting the organization as a crucial touchpoint for new and prospective employers. “The Gwinnett Chamber plays a vital role in the health of our community because it is one of the first places new employers and prospective employers connect with to learn about the community,” he says. By being an active member of the Chamber, Piedmont Eastside’s team members contribute to educating businesses about the comprehensive healthcare services available in Gwinnett.
In the Chairman’s Club, Ebert and his executive team have connected with leaders at organizations throughout Gwinnett County, gaining greater insights into the healthcare needs of their workforce, their employees’ families, and even their customers. “I joined Piedmont Eastside a year ago, and the Chairman’s Club allowed me the opportunity to rapidly meet and engage with the premier leaders of the Gwinnett County business community,” he says. “Access to the region’s influencers and decision-makers has been an invaluable asset as we’ve worked hard to listen to area stakeholders and to understand how Piedmont Eastside can improve healthcare delivery for our community.”
A Future Filled with Growth and Innovation
Looking ahead, Ebert sees a county that is continuing to grow with a level of diversity that will remain a strength and an opportunity for businesses. “Healthcare services are expanding now to serve the growing, and aging, communities we serve, and Piedmont is strategically growing to take advantage of new technologies and service delivery models,” he says. “Piedmont’s footprint in Gwinnett will look different in the future than it does today. We will continue to ensure that we meet the needs of Georgians and their employers with efficient access to high-quality care locally and virtually.”