Coffee Regional and Emory Healthcare Build Better Bariatrics for South Georgia

Coffee Regional Medical Center has been serving south Georgia residents since 1935, and innovation and strategic growth have been hallmarks of CRMC’s commitment to its community.

One recent example is CRMC’s Bariatric and Metabolic Center, a comprehensive weight loss center established in 2020 in collaboration with Emory Healthcare’s Regional Affiliate Network. Chet Royals, a CRMC general surgeon, leads the Bariatric and Metabolic Center along with Edward Lin, Emory’s chief of gastrointestinal and general surgery. 

Vicki Lewis, president and CEO of CRMC, points out the benefits of the collaboration with Emory Healthcare.  “As a member of Emory Healthcare’s Affiliate Network, we are able to continue to explore and expand expertise across both existing and new clinical services, advancing our mission of exceptional care and wellness close to home. Our relationship with Emory helps CRMC develop and deliver the right services to the residents of Coffee County and South Georgia. In addition to bariatrics, Emory assisted CRMC with our successful Percutaneous Coronary Intervention program, and we are collaborating on an eICU telehealth program, providing consultation from Emory physicians in the care of our ICU patients.”

The bariatric program’s multidisciplinary approach addresses nutritional, medical, physical, and behavioral obstacles to achieving each patient’s weight loss goals. Patients have access to nutrition counseling, exercise classes, and, for those for whom it is appropriate, various surgical options.

“We provide each patient with the best weight management tools available as well as the most advanced surgical techniques,” says Royals. “With the support of Dr. Lin and the entire Emory Healthcare team, our team is now able to give our patients all the tools they need to overcome challenges and be successful in their weight loss journey.”

Lin has led Emory Healthcare’s participation in the initiative with CRMC. “Coffee Regional has a visionary leadership team, a talented staff, and solid infrastructure that contributes to a successful initiative like this,” he says. 

Lin further explained, “The affiliation between Emory and Coffee Regional is one of several we have throughout Georgia. The idea is to help places homegrow advanced care and therapeutics, making care accessible to people in the community,” he says. “We believe a healthy community leads to a healthier Georgia, and that’s good for everyone.”

“We are confident that our commitment to strengthening access to quality, affordable care in communities across the region will benefit the Coffee County community and surrounding areas,” says Jonathan S. Lewin, CEO of Emory Healthcare and executive vice president of health affairs for Emory University.

To learn more about Coffee Regional Medical Center, visit them online at coffeeregional.org. To learn more about CRMC’s new Bariatric & Metabolic Center, visit CoffeeRegionalBariatrics.com.