February 28, 2024

Amidst the gentle reprieve from Friday’s afternoon rain, St. Joseph’s/Candler proudly unveiled the inaugural phase of its new campus in Richmond Hill, marking a significant milestone in the hospital’s commitment to enhancing healthcare accessibility in the rapidly developing Bryan County.

This momentous event, vividly captured in Andrea Gutierrez’s insightful piece, ‘Only the beginning’: St. Joseph’s/Candler opens new campus in Richmond Hill,’ published in Bryan County News, serves as the inspiration for our deeper exploration into the implications of this expansion for the local community.

A Leap Forward in Community Well-being and Real Estate Development

Nestled within the lively mixed-use enclave of Heartwood at Richmond Hill, on Belfast Keller Road, this state-of-the-art 15,000 sq. ft. facility is poised to welcome its first visitors on Feb. 26. With plans already in motion for the next construction phase in approximately four years, Paul Hinchey, President & CEO of St. Joseph’s/Candler, emphasizes, “This is only the beginning. We’re laying the groundwork to extend healthcare services to the residents of Richmond Hill and Bryan County, adapting and expanding our campus to meet the community’s evolving needs. We’re thrilled to join the Heartwood community.”

The ceremony saw an assembly of local dignitaries, including Richmond Hill Mayor Russ Carpenter and Bryan County Commission Chairman Carter Infinger, who shared their celebratory remarks. Mayor Carpenter highlighted the facility’s substantial contribution to the health and wellbeing of the community, commending St. Joseph’s/Candler’s broader engagement with the Richmond Hill area, notably its support for Richmond Hill High School’s medical science program.

“This spirit of collaboration is the cornerstone of any thriving community, and St. Joseph’s/Candler excels in this regard,” Mayor Carpenter noted.

Chairman Infinger mirrored these sentiments, underscoring the facility’s role in providing peace of mind for Bryan County’s residents. “Now, our community members can access top-notch healthcare, consult with their doctors right here in their hometown. This is pivotal not only for the personal health of our residents but also as a cornerstone for our county’s growth and economic development,” he stated.

Highlighting the critical role of healthcare in regional development, Paul Hinchey remarked, “For Georgia and Bryan County to remain competitive, robust healthcare services are essential.”

The ceremony was further sanctified by Father Joe Smith, former chaplain at St. Joseph’s/Candler and previously of St. Anne’s Catholic Church in Richmond Hill, who blessed the new facility. His presence underscored St. Joseph’s/Candler’s holistic approach to healthcare, which encompasses technical, diagnostic, emotional, and spiritual care, seamlessly integrated to serve the community.

This significant expansion in Richmond Hill, GA, not only underscores St. Joseph’s/Candler’s dedication to advancing healthcare but also signals a new chapter in the real estate development of the area, promising enhanced quality of life and accessibility to essential services for both longstanding residents and those seeking new homes in Richmond Hill, GA.