South Georgia Medical Center (SGMC) has announced a multi-year expansion plan totalling $125m to enhance patient services, reported Valdosta Daily Times.

The plan includes the addition of a gastroenterology clinic, a new residency class and a second women's health centre.

Next month, SGMC will be inducting a second class of eight resident physicians, following the successful first class of eight physicians last year.

In addition, between July and September, eight more physicians will be joining the physician network and the community.

The expansion project also includes a main campus redesign, a new ’patient tower for women and infants, a front entrance and an emergency department.

Project construction is expected to begin next year.

Also, SGMC is undertaking an expansion worth $15m of its Berrien County hospital, including a new two-storey emergency room addition.

With construction scheduled to be completed next year, the expansion aims to attract more physicians and specialists to enhance the hospital’s network.

SGMC president and CEO Ronald Dean said: “In June, our trauma programme expects to complete requirements and become the State of Georgia’s next designated Level III Trauma Center.”

“According to the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma, traumatic injuries are the leading cause of death for individuals up to 45 years old.”