Liberty Regional Medical Center’s newest physicians were hailed during a Dec. 20 ribbon-cutting ceremony and open house at the LRMC office building. The event was sponsored in conjunction with the Liberty County Chamber of Commerce. A crowd of hospital administrators, doctors, medical staff and community members filled the office building’s lobby to greet the new doctors.
The hospital welcomed Dr. Rebecca Coefield-Floyd and Dr. Christina B. McCain of Southeast Georgia Surgery; Dr. Jeff Brunelli of Liberty Orthopedics and Sports Medicine; Dr. LaKimberly Pearson of Liberty Pediatrics; and Dr. Aaron Ford of Liberty Cardiology.
Chamber CEO Leah Poole kicked off the event, receiving those in attendance and introducing the guest speakers, who offered words of welcome to the new doctors.
Hinesville City Councilman Jason Floyd took to the podium and greeted the honorees on behalf of Mayor Jim Thomas, who was unable to attend. Floyd also attended in support of his new bride, Coefield-Floyd.
“We’re looking forward to all of you having a very productive future in Liberty County,” laboratory director Donald Lovette said.
“Dive in — be a part of what we are,” Hospital Authority Chairman Jon Long said. “We hope to get (the new doctors) comfortable and that they hang around and stay with us for a long time.”
Each physician spoke briefly before the crowd moved outside for the ribbon cutting. McCain has been on staff at LRMC for a couple of years, but was welcomed to the group with her practice partner, Coefield-Floyd, who is a recent addition to the team. The duo elicited laughter when they said they were looking forward to performing many surgeries in the future.
Brunelli, who has been at Liberty for a few months, said he has been enjoying getting to know everyone and the work he has done recently with some local high school sports teams. He looks forward to serving those with orthopedic needs.
Pearson is brand new to LRMC, having started part-time in August and full-time last month. A native of Monroe, Va., she comes to LRMC fresh from her residency at Children’s Hospital of Atlanta, where she was the chief resident her last year. She decided to come to Liberty because she wants to serve rural areas and believes that excellent health care should be available to all children in all areas. She currently is accepting new patients ages newborn to 18 years.
Ford visited LRMC on a whim with his family from Omaha, Neb., and was impressed with the community and Liberty’s small-town feel. He took a position with the hospital and came to the area in December. Ford officially starts seeing patients this month and said he is excited to be here and to serve those with cardiac needs.
LRMC CEO Scott Kroell welcomed the new physicians.
“It reflects the growth in Liberty and the desire of the community to have good doctors in the county instead of having to go up to Richmond Hill or to Savannah,” he said. “The community demands a certain level of care and we have worked very hard to meet that demand and keep the community happy.”
The crowd moved outside to the office building’s entrance to cut a ribbon and pose for photos. A reception followed in the Liberty Orthopedics office, where Mayor Thomas made an appearance. He personally welcomed each of the new doctors.