Gwinnett Medical Center Has Higher Rated Healthcare Quality Outcomes Than National Average

HealthGrades Study Places Local Hospital in Top National and State Rankings

Lawrenceville, GA - According to an annual study released this week by the nation's leading independent healthcare ratings organization, HealthGrades, Gwinnett Medical Center is ranked among the top 5 hospitals in the state of Georgia in overall critical care services's. HealthGrades is the nation's leading independent healthcare ratings organization. Among the hospitals assessed by Healthgrades, the overall quality outcomes and ratings place GMC among the top 5% in the nation for clinical excellence for two consecutive years.

The health system's hospital campuses in both Duluth and Lawrenceville also ranked among the top 10% in the nation among the 5,000 hospitals HealthGrades annually assesses for patient outcomes - mortality and complication rates.

According to the HealthGrades Twelfth Annual Hospital Quality in America Study(tm) top-rated hospitals had a 52 percent lower mortality rate than the U.S. national average when looking at the patient outcomes of 17 procedures and diagnoses ranging from bypass surgery to treatment for heart attack. When the top-rated hospitals were compared to the poorest performers, there was an even greater difference, 72 percent lower mortality.

Gwinnett Medical Center received high quality outcomes recognition in the following areas:

* Ranked among the top 5 hospitals in Georgia and 5-Star rated for Treatment of Stroke in 2010
* Ranked best in Gwinnett County for Overall Critical Care Services in 2010
* Five-Star rated for the Treatment of Pneumonia for 6 consecutive years
* Received the highest possible 5-Star ratings for the Treatment of Sepsis for 3 years in a row
* Five-Star rated for the Treatment of Pulmonary Embolism
* Five-Star rated for the Treatment of Heart Attack for 3 years in a row
* Five-Star rated for the Treatment of Heart Failure for 3 years in a row
* Five-Star rated for Hip Fracture Repair for 5 years in a row
* Five-Star rate for Total Hip Replacement

"GMC is committed to transforming healthcare by delivering the highest quality of care, technology and resources to the community and it is an honor to be recognized at both the national and state level," said Phil Wolfe, president and CEO of Gwinnett Medical Center.

In its continuing vision to transform healthcare, Gwinnett Medical Center recently achieved received the green light to move forward with developing an open heart program and opened an 8-story, 155-bed patient tower housing more than $13 million of new technology on its Lawrenceville campus. Gwinnett Medical Center - Duluth is also celebrating its three-year anniversary of providing top quality healthcare this month with the addition of Gwinnett's only robotic Da Vinci surgical system. robot in Gwinnett County to serve several medical specialties. GMC - D ranked in the top 1% of all hospital's nationally (99th percentile) in patient satisfaction for orthopedic diagnoses in ambulatory surgery.

HealthGrades RatingsHealthGrades' hospital ratings and awards reflect the track record of patient outcomes at hospitals in the form of mortality and complication rates.

HealthGrades rates hospitals independently based on data that hospitals submit to the federal government. No hospital can opt in or out of being rated, and no hospital pays to be rated.

For 28 procedures and treatments, HealthGrades issues star ratings that reflect the mortality and complication rates for each category of care. Hospitals receiving a 5-star rating have mortality or complication rates that are below the national average, to a statistically significant degree. A 3-star rating means the hospital performs as expected. One-star ratings indicate the hospital's mortality or complication rates in that procedure or treatment are statistically higher than average. Because the risk profiles of patient populations at hospitals are not alike, HealthGrades risk-adjusts the data to allow for apples-to-apples comparisons.

More information on today's HealthGrades study, including the complete methodology, can be found at www.healthgrades.comhttp://www.healthgrades.com.

About Gwinnett Medical Center:
Now celebrating the 25th anniversary of its flagship campus, Gwinnett Medical Center is a not-for-profit healthcare network providing award-winning healthcare services to the Gwinnett community and beyond. Campuses in both Duluth and Lawrenceville provide acute care, outpatient services, orthopedic and neuroscience specialty care as well as a full continuum of wellness services. Digital imaging is the standard of care at all GMC facilities including the newest imaging center in north Gwinnett's Hamilton Mill area. In 2008, GMC's 4,300 associates and 800 physicians served more than 400,000 patients. Gwinnett Medical Center's incredible vision for the future is to transform healthcare. To learn more, visit www.gwinnettmedicalcenter.org.

Trek or Treat

Boys and ghouls can get a head start on Halloween fun at the City of Suwanee’s annual Trek or Treat event Saturday, October 31, at Suwanee Creek Park. Put your costume on early and join beautiful princesses and scary monsters, superheroes and vile villains, the famous and the infamous from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. for games, activities, free hot dogs, and trek or treating along the Suwanee Creek Greenway.

Activities will include face-painting, fall festival games, crafts, pumpkin hunting, trail trivia, and costume parade. Prizes and hot dogs will be available while supplies last.

This event is free and open to the public. Suwanee Creek Park is located at 1170 Buford Highway.

Gwinnett Medical Center taught me how to Fight like a Girl!

Join Gwinnett Medical Center and CBS Atlanta News to discover how to detect, manage and fight against breast cancer.

Event includes:
- Mobile Mammography Van
- Breast Health Education
- Refreshments
- Photo Booth

Be sure to stop by the Gwinnett Arena Tuesday, October 13 and Monday, November 9 from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. to learn how to fight like a girl!

Bowen Family Homes Announces Presales at Three Communities

Penny options available until November 8

ATLANTA - Bowen Family Homes is pleased to announce that presales are currently underway at the highly sought after communities of Brynfield-Woodvale, Caswell Overlook and Stonehaven Pointe. Homebuyers will have the opportunity to choose interior options and exterior elevations.

"This is the perfect opportunity for homebuyers looking to select their own flooring, cabinets and countertops,” said Kelly Fink, Bowen Family Homes’ marketing director. “All homebuyers will also have the option of purchasing a refrigerator, washer and dryer or blinds for $.01 during our Penny Power Promotion which runs until November 8.”

The exclusive gated community of Brynfield-Woodvale located in Suwanee features two story single family homes ranging in size from 2061 square feet to 2648 square feet. Homes begin at $189,900. Homebuyers have ten home designs to choose from and can take advantage of the amenities the community has to offer including a pool with mushroom fountain, cabana and playground perfect for spending time with family and neighbors. Children who live in Brynfield will attend Walnut Grove Elementary, Creekland Middle and Collins Hill High schools.

The Marietta community of Caswell Overlook features brick luxury townhomes and is located in a private wooded setting conveniently near I-75 and I-285 and the Atlanta area. The community features four floorplans that range in size from 1829 square feet to 1865 square feet. Homes start at $179,000. This is a great community for residents interested in recreational activities. Amenities include a pool, cabana, mushroom fountain and playground. Caswell Overlook residents have a variety of options for dining and shopping including the Avenue West Cobb. Families in this community are served by the Cobb County School Systems of Dunleith Elementary, Marietta Middle, and Marietta High schools

The unique master planned community of Stonehaven Pointe in Cumming offers two story single family homes starting at $169,900. Homes range in size from 1652 square feet to 2271 square feet. Potential homeowners can choose between 12 home designs. The community offers ten acres of amenities including a clubhouse, Junior Olympic sized pool, aquatic play park, tennis courts and multi-purpose field. Stonehaven residents are nearby a variety of shopping and dining venues including The Avenue Forsyth. Children in Stonehaven will attend Whitlow Elementary, Otwell Middle and Forsyth Central High schools.

Since 1969 the Bowen name has stood for excellence in new home construction and community development. Recognized as the 25th largest privately owned builder in the country by Builder Magazine for 2005, Bowen Family Homes is a dynamic homebuilder with operations in Georgia, Florida and Texas. The Atlanta Business Chronicle ranked Bowen Family Homes 5th among metro Atlanta builders in 2007 and 40th among Atlanta’s Top 100 Private Companies for 2007. Additionally, Bowen Family Homes was named the Georgia Family Business of the Year for medium sized companies by Georgia Trend and the Cox Family Enterprise Center at Kennesaw State University in 2006. Bowen Family Homes was ranked 83rd on the 2007 Professional Builder Giant 400 largest homebuilders in the United States list. These successes have been achieved by simply offering the best new home value in all price ranges. Friend, Fan or Follow Bowen Family Homes: www.bowenfamilyhomesblog.com; twitter.com/bowenfamilyhome; www.facebook.com/bowenfamilyhomes and YouTube. For more information about Bowen Family Homes, please call their Atlanta region headquarters at 678-325-4554 or 1-877- MY BOWEN or visit online at www.bowenfamilyhomes.com.

Community Garden Needs Community Volunteers

Gardeners know that early and proper soil preparation is key to a successful harvest. In the same way, the City of Suwanee is preparing for construction of Harvest Farm, Suwanee’s organic community garden expected to open in the spring, and it needs many pairs of helping hands to do so appropriately.

The City of Suwanee will host a community volunteer day Saturday, October 24, at the Harvest Farm at White Street Park site. Volunteers are needed to help get the site ready for construction, which is scheduled to begin next month. Volunteers will help dismantle part of the existing barn, remove old fencing, and clear out the creek and wooded areas.

The workday is scheduled from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. with breakfast and lunch provided. Preferably, volunteers can commit to working the whole day or half a day (either 8 a.m.-noon or 1-5 p.m.). Volunteers must register in advance by completing the application available at www.suwanee.com. For additional information, contact Assistant to the City Manager Jessica Roth at jroth@suwanee.com or 770/945-8996.

Bowen Family Homes Continues to Qualify Homebuyers and Realtors during Penny Power Promotion

Homebuyers can win a home for $.01, Realtors can win $50,000.

ATLANTA – Bowen Family Homes is offering potential homeowners the chance to win a brand new home for $.01, while Realtors have a chance to win $50,000. Currently, nine homeowners and six Realtors have qualified.

Homebuyers and Realtors have until November 8, to qualify to have their chance to participate in Bowen Family Homes’ Grand Finale Penny Tossing Event on November 10 at the Gwinnett Center for an opportunity to win the grand prize of a new home or $50,000.

To qualify, homebuyers and Realtors can visit one of 13 participating Bowen Family Homes communities throughout metro Atlanta. The first 100 homebuyers and Realtors to successfully toss a penny into a fish bowl from ten feet away will be entered into a finale event. Participants will be asked to use their own pennies, which will later be donated to HomeAid, a non profit provider of housing for the homeless. Visit www.bowenpennypower.com for more information on participating communities.

Homebuyers can earn one penny toss by touring a Bowen Family community; three tosses by becoming pre-qualified to buy a home with a Bowen Family Home preferred lender and five tosses if the homebuyer is under contract or writes a contract on a Bowen Family Home. Realtors will earn one toss by touring a Bowen Family community or by attending a Penny Power Event; three tosses by previewing a Bowen Family Home with a client and five tosses if their client writes a contract on a Bowen Family Home.

“We have already qualified numerous homebuyers and Realtors and we expect the remaining spots to fill up quickly,” said Kelly Fink, Bowen Family Homes’ marketing director. “We have several free penny toss events scheduled each Saturday throughout October, so don’t miss your opportunity to become a finalist before all the spots are taken."

The 100 homebuyer finalists and 100 Realtor finalists will have their photo taken with a cutout of Bowen Family Homes’ superhero, Penny Lane. Visitors can vote on their favorite photo or learn more about Penny Lane and Bowen Family Homes’ Penny Power promotion by visiting www.bowenpennypower.com. Throughout the promotion, Bowen Family Homes will offer various penny incentives. Be sure to follow the promotion on Twitter; www.twitter.com/bowenfamilyhome; Facebook, www.facebook.com/bowenfamilyhomes or on Bowen Family Homes’ blog, www.bowenfamilyhomesblog.com. Penny incentives will be updated regularly. Be sure not to miss out.

Since 1969 the Bowen name has stood for excellence in new home construction and community development. Recognized as the 25th largest privately owned builder in the country by Builder Magazine for 2005, Bowen Family Homes is a dynamic homebuilder with operations in Georgia, Florida and Texas. In 2007, Bowen Family Homes was named Georgia Family Business of the Year among medium sized companies by Georgia Trend and the Cox Family Enterprise Center at Kennesaw State University. The Atlanta Business Chronicle ranked Bowen Family Homes 5th among metro Atlanta builders in 2007 and 40th among Atlanta’s Top 100 Private Companies for 2007. Additionally, Bowen Family Homes was named the Georgia Family Business of the Year for medium sized companies by Georgia Trend and the Cox Family Enterprise Center at Kennesaw State University in 2006. Bowen Family Homes was ranked 83rd on the 2007 Professional Builder Giant 400 largest homebuilders in the United States list. These successes have been achieved by simply offering the best new home value in all price ranges. Fan, Friend or Follow us: www.bowenfamilyhomesblog.com ; twitter.com/bowenfamilyhome, www.facebook.com/bowenfamilyhomes; YouTube, keyword Bowen Family Homes. For more information about Bowen Family Homes, please call their Atlanta region headquarters at 678-325-4554 or 1-877- MY BOWEN or visit online at www.bowenfamilyhomes.com.

Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce Night at the Gladiators Playoffs

You're not just at the game, you're right on top of the action! Book your seats in advance and you could be seated as close as two rows off of the ice (subject to availability). Plus, count on us making it easy for you and your group to have a night to remember.


In addition to saving money, bringing a group to a Gladiators game will result in an evening of unforgettable hockey entertainment and you'll get exclusive benefits only available to groups.


Saturday, October 17, 2009
7:05 p.m. Gwinnett Arena
6400 Sugarloaf Parkway
Duluth, Ga 30097


Group Benefits:

• Great seats, Great Arena. Best available seats at a discount off the gate price in the top minor league arena in the country as voted by minorleaguenews.com.


• Cheer together. We'll sit together and have fun together in block seating.


• Our name in lights. Our group's name will be on the Arena video board and they'll make an in-arena PA announcement during the game welcoming our group (make sure you scream loud)


• Someone in our group will win. There will be a prize raffle for all attendees in our group.


• Get a deal on Gladiators gear. Everyone in our group will get a 10% discount on a merchandise purchase when they attend the game.
  

Order now! Group orders must be received at least three days prior to the game date and are based on availability. Click here to download the order form.