THOMASTON, Ga., Sept. 2, 2026 — Upson Regional Medical Center (URMC) celebrated a historic milestone on Sept. 2, 2026, with the grand opening of its new Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and Blackstock Family Women's Center — two transformational projects representing a $40 million investment in the future of healthcare for Upson County and surrounding communities. Approximately 300 community members, healthcare professionals, donors, elected officials, project partners and hospital leaders gathered to commemorate the occasion.
The celebration served not only as the dedication of two new healthcare facilities, but also as a testament to what can be accomplished when a community, its healthcare providers, donors, employees and local leaders unite around a shared vision for the future.
During the ceremony, Chief Executive Officer Dan Owens welcomed guests to the grand opening and spoke about the impact these new units will have on patient care. Board Chairman William (Bill) Hightower, IV gave remarks on the importance of investment in healthcare and the hospital’s commitment to its community. Nic Moga, M.D., provided insight into the significance the Women’s Center will have on female patients within Upson County and surrounding areas. A blessing was given by Rev. John Halley, senior pastor of Thomaston First Methodist Church. Board member Scott Blackstock led the dedication of the two new units.
Project partners Batson-Cook Construction, 2WR architects, major subcontractors, TEAM UP and Georgia HEART Hospital Program donors were recognized during the ceremony.
The ceremony was followed by a ribbon cutting with physicians, board members, project team partners and public officials. Guests then had the opportunity to tour the Women’s Center, led by Labor and Delivery Department staff.
The opening of the new facilities marks one of the most significant capital investments in URMC's history and reinforces the organization's commitment to expanding access to advanced healthcare services close to home. Designed to enhance patient comfort, safety and clinical outcomes, the new ICU and Women's Center position URMC to meet the growing healthcare needs of the region for decades to come.
"Today represents far more than the opening of two new hospital units — it represents a promise to the families of our region," said Dan Owens, Chief Executive Officer of Upson Regional Medical Center. "The new Intensive Care Unit and Blackstock Family Women's Center reflect our commitment to ensuring that patients can receive exceptional, advanced care close to home. Every mother welcoming a new baby, every critically ill patient requiring intensive care, and every family seeking comfort during life's most important moments will benefit from this investment. We are profoundly grateful to the Blackstock family, our donors, our employees, our Board of Directors and our community partners whose generosity and belief in our mission made this vision a reality."
As the sole provider of obstetrical, neonatal and intensive care services within its immediate service area, URMC plays a critical role in ensuring access to specialized healthcare for thousands of residents across west-central Georgia. To strengthen that mission, the organization invested $40 million in the construction of a new Women's Center and Intensive Care Unit, including nearly 40,000 square feet of new construction, extensive renovations and facility enhancements designed to support state-of-the-art care with the latest standards in patient-centered care.
The new ICU opened to patients in May 2026, and the Women’s Center is expected to open to patients mid-September 2026.
The 12-bed ICU is equipped with state-of-the-art technology, enabling patients to receive the advanced care they need. This technology includes critical care beds, patient lifts and all-in-one monitors for personalized patient monitoring.
The Women’s Center includes 6 labor and delivery rooms, 14 postpartum rooms, 2 triage rooms, 1 Cesarean operating room and 2 post anesthesia care unit (PACU) bays for post-operation recovery of OB/GYN procedures. A larger nursery, complete with an isolation nursery housed within the main facility, has also been constructed, allowing for attentive care of URMC’s smallest patients.
Construction on the ICU and Women’s Center broke ground on February 7, 2025. Both projects were funded in part through Georgia HEART, and the Women’s Center received additional funding through TEAM UP donors and the Blackstock family.
Scott Blackstock is a local businessman and Thomaston native who has served on the URMC Board of Directors for many years.
The Women's Center was named in honor of the Blackstock family in recognition of their longstanding commitment to Upson Regional Medical Center and the health of the community.
“When I first came on the board, I was awed by the responsible stewardship exhibited by our past community leaders,” Blackstock stated. “They guided this hospital to an enviable position among Georgia's rural medical centers. The hospital is such a vital part of our community's success. We all owe a debt of gratitude to those who came before us and who guided us with such careful wisdom. Our family is specifically proud to support the much-needed new women's addition. It is foremost dedicated to all the strong and godly women of Upson County and to their steadfast faith in God's healing hands."
The project also reflects the remarkable generosity of URMC employees. Through TEAM UP — URMC's employee giving program — more than 200 staff members have contributed over $135,000 toward the Women's Center since 2017. Their support underscores the deep commitment employees have in enhancing healthcare services for the patients and families they serve every day.
Funding of these projects was also made possible through Georgia HEART, which allows businesses and individuals to redirect their state income taxes to eligible rural hospitals in Georgia. By providing this avenue for qualifying hospitals to secure additional funding, Georgia HEART aims to improve Georgians’ access to comprehensive healthcare in rural communities.
Taxpayers who participate in Georgia HEART receive state income tax credits, thereby making financial support of their local hospitals at no net cost to them. Businesses and individuals interested in contributing to URMC through Georgia HEART can learn more and apply at georgiaheart.org.
Beyond expanding clinical capabilities, the new ICU and Women's Center represent an investment in the health, economic vitality and future of the region. By providing advanced care close to home, URMC helps families avoid traveling long distances for critical services while strengthening access to high-quality healthcare in rural Georgia.
The new ICU and Blackstock Family Women's Center reflect URMC's continued commitment to delivering excellent care rooted in compassion for all. Together, these facilities will enhance the patient experience, expand access to specialized services, and help ensure that future generations have access to exceptional healthcare close to home. For more information about URMC and its services, visit urmc.org.
(Above) Batson-Cook Construction Representatives and URMC Executive Team, Left-to-Right: Senior Vice President and General Manager Darin Appleton (Batson-Cook), Project Superintendent Jonathan Ledford (Batson-Cook), Project Executive Marty Graves (Batson-Cook), Project Superintendent Jordan McKinney (Batson-Cook), Chief Information Officer Erik Bowe (URMC), Project Manager Lynwood Dees (Batson-Cook), Chief Executive Officer Dan Owens (URMC), Physician Practice Administrator Tammy Moore (URMC), Chief Nursing Officer Penny Nole, RN, MSN (URMC), Director of Human Resources Laura Stokes, Chief Financial Officer Jason Gassett (URMC), Senior Executive Assistant Marsha White (URMC) and Director of Growth and Strategy Chelsea Peterson, RN (URMC)