Jenkins County Medical Center

12/23/2025

✨Our halls were full of holiday cheer thanks to the creativity and teamwork shown in JCMC’s Christmas Door Decorating Contest.
Congratulations to our winners:
🎄 First Place: Environmental Services & Mr. Darrell, with their “Let It Snow” theme, complete with a beautifully custom-built mantle and hearth;
🚂 Second Place: Behavioral Health Unit, for bringing to life the magic of the Polar Express, complete with railroad tracks and a classic railroad crossing;
🎅 Third Place: Medical Records & Accounting, with a fun and creative “Operation Santa” theme
🏆A special thank you to our guest judges: Jeff Brantley, Chairman of JCMC’s Hospital Board; Amber Davis from The Cafe on Cotton; and Christa Jackson from Round’s on Winthrope. Additional thanks to Round’s for generously donating gift cards for our winners.
✨Thank you to everyone who participated and helped make the season brighter here at JCMC!

12/19/2025

🎄Our Christmas party was held yesterday, and it was a wonderful time for our JCMC family. Many staff members showed their holiday spirit by wearing ugly Christmas sweaters and festive attire, which added to the fun and cheer of the afternoon.

🎅 We enjoyed a delicious meal from The Cafe on Cotton, gathered around a hot chocolate bar, shared plenty of laughs, and finally revealed our Secret Santas, (a highlight for many). We also announced the winners of our door decorating contest, and we'll be sharing more about that on Monday along with photos.

💖Thank you to everyone who helped make this gathering such a special way to celebrate the season together!

12/17/2025

As the year comes to a close, there's still time to support Jenkins County Medical Center through Georgia HEART. 💙 Filmed throughout JCMC, this video shows how Georgia HEART contributions make a real difference for our hospital, our staff, and the patients we serve. Through the Georgia HEART Hospital Program, you can redirect a portion of your state income taxes to support essential services and patient care close to home, while receiving a 100 percent state income tax credit.

Applications must be submitted by December 31st. Thank you for supporting rural healthcare in our community!💙🏥

See how the Georgia HEART Hospital Program is helping strengthen Jenkins County Medical Center in Millen and support healthcare close to home.Filmed througho...

12/13/2025

In this week’s Millen News, Kylie Floyd of Aspire by JCMC offers thoughtful guidance on protecting mental health during the holiday season and reminds our community that support is always available.

Caring for Your Mental Health During the Holiday Season

By Kylie Floyd, PMHNP-BC
Aspire by JCMC

The holiday season is well underway, and while it brings celebration and togetherness for many, it can also stir up stress, sadness, or loneliness for others. Here in Jenkins County and across our surrounding communities, we often see how the expectations of this time of year can feel especially heavy for individuals already managing mental health or substance use challenges.

A survey from the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) found that 64 percent of people living with a mental illness reported that their symptoms worsened around the holidays. Whether it is distance from loved ones, personal grief, financial strain, family conflict, or the shorter days of winter, the season can bring unique emotional and behavioral health pressures that may not be visible on the surface.

As we move through the holidays, it is important to remember that added stress is very common, and it can worsen conditions such as depression, anxiety, or substance use disorders. The good news is that there are practical ways to support your well-being. At Aspire by JCMC, we encourage our neighbors throughout Jenkins County to approach this time of year with care, patience, and a plan for protecting their mental health.

Ways to Support Your Mental Health During the Holidays:
Pay attention to how you’re feeling. It’s okay if the holidays don’t feel joyful every moment. Recognizing your emotions is a meaningful first step toward taking care of yourself.

Have a plan for difficult moments:
Think ahead about what helps you cope when stress or sadness arises. Calling someone you trust, taking a walk, watching a favorite movie, or enjoying a hobby can make overwhelming moments more manageable.

Make self-care a priority:
Set aside time to recharge. Reading, spending time outdoors, using deep breathing or mindfulness techniques, and keeping up with healthy habits such as restful sleep, nutritious meals, and regular movement can make a real difference.

Stay connected to others:
If you’re unable to be with family, consider finding connection through faith communities, local groups, clubs, or support networks. Even simple check-ins with friends can help ease feelings of isolation.

Be mindful of others who may be struggling:
For many, feelings of grief or loss intensify during the holidays. Reaching out with a call, a visit, or a small act of kindness can bring comfort to them and brighten your own spirits as well.

Watch for seasonal mood changes:
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is common as daylight decreases. If you notice symptoms of depression tied to the season, talk with your healthcare provider. Effective treatments include light therapy, medication, and counseling.

Avoid alcohol and drugs:
This season can be challenging for individuals in recovery. Planning ahead for gatherings or emotional triggers can help reduce the risk of relapse. Loved ones can support by checking in regularly and offering encouragement.

Know when to ask for help:
If your emotions or symptoms feel overwhelming, reaching out is a strong and healthy step. Support is available, and treatment can make a meaningful difference. Aspire by JCMC is here for adults in our region who may need assessment, guidance, or ongoing care.

You Are Not Alone: Helpful Resources
SAMHSA’s National Helpline
1-800-662-HELP (4357)
A confidential, 24/7 resource for individuals and families seeking mental health or substance use support.

FindSupport.gov
A helpful starting point for questions at the beginning of a behavioral health journey.

FindTreatment.gov
A confidential, anonymous tool for locating mental health or substance use treatment facilities nationwide.

988 Su***de & Crisis Lifeline
Call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org, for immediate support any time.

Veterans Crisis Line
For veterans needing urgent support, dial 988, then press 1.

As we continue through this holiday season, I encourage you to offer yourself grace, lean on the people around you, and remember that help is always within reach. No one in our community should feel they must walk through this season alone. 💗

12/12/2025

✨We’re proud to share a new addition to our property! Our new roadside entrance sign was installed yesterday and now welcomes patients, families, and visitors with the Jenkins County Medical Center name and logo clearly displayed.

This update improves visibility and helps better identify our hospital for those coming to JCMC. It also reflects the steady progress being made at JCMC and our continued commitment to serving this community with care, dedication, and pride. We're excited for everyone to see it, especially once the electrical power is connected and it lights up at night!✨

12/11/2025

In this week’s Jenkins County Times, JCMC CEO Andrea Graham shares the personal story that inspired our recently completed swing bed rooms:

As we move through this holiday season, many of us find ourselves reflecting on what truly matters: family, health, and the care we show one another. It is in that spirit of gratitude and renewed purpose that I want to share why my vision for Jenkins County Medical Center’s swing bed program comes from a very personal place.

After losing my mother, my father struggled in ways I didn’t fully recognize. I tried to give him his independence, assuming he was compliant with his medications and managing his health. But behind closed doors, he was lost, somewhat depressed, not taking his medications, and his health began to decline. Eventually, he suffered a transient ischemic attack (TIA) and had to enter a swing bed program for rehabilitation.

That experience changed everything for me.

The staff in the facility where he received swing bed care gave him what I can only describe as life again. They were attentive, compassionate, and filled him with hope. They encouraged him when he had none and became a true resource not only for him but also for me as his daughter. They included me and my siblings in his treatment, walked us through his limitations, and helped me understand what his “new normal” would look like.

Together, we evaluated everything from his home environment to his daily routines, his grooming, feeding, and safety needs so that he could regain as much independence as possible while staying safe. When he completed rehab, I felt peace of mind knowing that I could leave him alone and trust that he was set up for success.

Although I have been in healthcare for over 20 years, I realized that when it is your own family, it is different. You see things not only from the clinical side, but also from the patient and family perspective. That shift gave me a deeper understanding of what true patient centered care looks like and why it matters so much.

That experience shaped my commitment to building a swing bed program at JCMC that feels like home. We have designed a space where patients feel safe, cared for, and supported where families are not just visitors, but partners in recovery. By incorporating a newly completed Activities of Daily Living (ADL) space, we are able to help patients practice real-world skills in a supportive environment, preparing them for a safe and confident transition home.

Everything I do as a leader in healthcare has been shaped by personal experiences like this. I know firsthand what it feels like to worry about a loved one, to want them treated with dignity and compassion, and to pray that someone will see them as more than a diagnosis. That is why I am committed to ensuring JCMC’s swing bed program provides not only quality care, but also peace of mind for both patients and families.

At the heart of this vision is a simple belief: every patient should be treated the way I would want my own family to be treated.

Andrea P. Graham, CEO
Jenkins County Medical Center

12/08/2025

🎄🎂Happy December Birthdays to all!! ✨Special thanks to our birthday sponsors, Sherri Chance and Vondesa Lee with Next Move Real Estate & Property Management, for donating the gift cards for our monthly birthday drawing! We appreciate your support in helping us celebrate our staff members!🎈

12/02/2025

11/28/2025

🛍️ 🎁 We’re looking forward to Small Business Saturday tomorrow! Our local shops add so much heart to this community. Let’s support the wonderful people who keep it thriving!

❤️LOCAL LOVE ALERT ❤️

Nothing beats the charm of shopping local, and this Saturday is your chance to explore all the treasures Downtown Millen has to offer!

Grab a friend, grab a coffee, and spend the day discovering something wonderful right here at home. 🤍

📅 Saturday, Nov. 29 | 9 AM – 3 PM

11/27/2025

🦃🍂 Happy Thanksgiving! Following is a message from Andrea Graham, CEO of Jenkins County Medical Center:

As we enter this season of gratitude, our hearts turn to the many blessings that surround us. This time of year reminds us why we do what we do: to care for our neighbors, to uplift our community, and to serve with purpose and sincerity.

At Jenkins County Medical Center, we are deeply thankful for our dedicated team. Each of you brings compassion, skill, and heart to the work you do, and your willingness to step forward day after day makes a real difference for our patients and our community. Your commitment reflects the very mission we strive to uphold.

We are grateful as well for the leadership who have guided this organization through the years, establishing a strong foundation that continues to support us. And we are equally thankful for the leaders who are carrying us forward with renewed energy and a shared vision for the future. Working together, we are building on that legacy to strengthen JCMC for generations to come.

Our community partners also remain a great blessing to us. County and city leaders, businesses, schools, local media, nonprofits, and many others walk beside us in meaningful ways. Their support plays a vital role in the sustainability and success of our hospital.

We extend our appreciation to the Hospital Authority of Jenkins County for their service and steadfast commitment. Their leadership helps safeguard the health and well-being of the families we serve.

And above all, we are thankful for the trust our citizens place in us. Caring for you and your loved ones is an honor, and we are humbled each time you choose Jenkins County Medical Center for your healthcare needs.

This Thanksgiving, we give thanks for the blessings that strengthen us, the partnerships that support us, and the people who inspire us. From our JCMC family to yours, we wish you a holiday filled with peace, gratitude, and joy.

Andrea Graham, CEO

11/24/2025

🦃 Our Employee Thanksgiving Luncheon was held last Thursday in the Board & Education Building, with a delicious holiday meal with all the fixings from Cafe on Cotton. The event was planned and hosted by JCMC Strong, our employee engagement committee, and proudly served by our managers. Employees stayed to enjoy their meal or grabbed a plate to take back to their department. Meals were also prepared for our evening shift staff to enjoy later.
💙 We’re so grateful for every member of our JCMC family and are blessed to serve alongside such a dedicated and caring team. Happy Thanksgiving week!