PSMC Earns Level III Emergency Cardiac Care Center Designation

Americus, GA | June 9, 2026 – Phoebe Sumter Medical Center has been officially designated as a Level III Emergency Cardiac Care Center (ECCC) by the Georgia Department of Public Health, Office of EMS and Trauma. The designation recognizes the hospital’s commitment to delivering high-quality, life-saving cardiac care and is valid for three years.

“This designation reflects the dedication of our physicians, nurses, and care teams who work around the clock to provide exceptional cardiac care for our community. We are proud to be part of Georgia’s coordinated effort to improve outcomes for patients experiencing heart attacks and other cardiac emergencies,” said Carlyle Walton, Phoebe Sumter President.

Phoebe Sumter joins a dozen other Level III Emergency Cardiac Care Centers in Georgia that are equipped to provide rapid assessment, stabilization, and treatment for cardiac patients until they can be safely transferred to a higher-level center if they need more advanced care. The designation confirms that Phoebe Sumter is an essential link in the state’s system designed to increase survival rates and improve patient outcomes in cardiac emergencies.

“As a designated Emergency Cardiac Care Center, Phoebe Sumter Medical Center has become an integral part of a statewide system focused on protecting and improving lives,” the Department of Public Health noted in its designation letter.

“Phoebe Sumter remains committed to advancing cardiac care services, investing in clinical excellence, and ensuring quality, advanced care for patients across Sumter County and surrounding communities,” Walton added.

Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital (PPMH) in Albany is a Level I Emergency Cardiac Care Center – the highest designation – indicating that it provides the most comprehensive cardiac services 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, including open-heart surgery and interventional cardiac catheterizations. PPMH and Phoebe Sumter work closely to coordinate patient transfers, when appropriate, to ensure patients get the highest level of cardiac care quickly.