Phoebe Sumter Announces Plans for New On-Campus Childcare Center

Phoebe Sumter Medical Center: A modern brick building with large windows, trees, and benches.Americus, GA | October 28, 2026 – Phoebe Sumter Medical Center (PSMC) is moving forward with plans to build The Family Tree, a new on-campus childcare center designed to support its employees who care for the community every day. The facility will serve up to 107 children, offering care for children ages six weeks to four years, along with an after-school program for children ages five to 11.

For working parents, access to dependable childcare can make all the difference – particularly for healthcare professionals whose schedules often extend beyond traditional business hours. By bringing childcare directly to the Phoebe Sumter campus, The Family Tree will give employees the convenience of having their children nearby while also helping the hospital recruit and retain physicians, nurses and other healthcare professionals.

“Phoebe Sumter Medical Center’s employees give so much of themselves to care for others, and we want to support them in ways that make a real difference in their lives,” said Carlyle Walton, PSMC President. “Having dependable, high-quality childcare right here on our campus will give parents greater peace of mind. The Family Tree is not only an investment in our Phoebe Family, but also in the future of healthcare in our community.”

The Family Tree is being made possible through a combination of community philanthropy, contributions from Phoebe employees and support through the Georgia HEART Rural Hospital Tax Credit Program. Georgia HEART allows taxpayers to receive a 100% state income tax credit for contributions to Phoebe Sumter and other eligible rural hospitals, creating an opportunity to keep tax dollars close to home while supporting important investments in local healthcare. Map of the Sumter hospital campus showing locations for a new childcare center marked 1A, 1B, 2, and 3, coming spring 2028.

“The Family Tree project is a wonderful example of what can happen when our employees, donors and community come together around a shared need,” said Katherine Council, Director of the Phoebe Sumter Foundation. “Every gift represents someone choosing to support the people who care for our community every day. We are incredibly grateful for that generosity and excited to see what The Family Tree will mean for Phoebe families for generations to come.”

Groundbreaking for the childcare facility is expected in early 2027, with the center projected to open in fall 2028. Additional details will be announced as the project moves forward. Anyone interested in supporting the project can reach out to the Phoebe Sumter Foundation about making a donation at 229-931-1300.