THOMASTON, Ga., May 12, 2026 — Upson Regional Medical Center (URMC) is the beneficiary of West Central Georgia Bank’s generous $40,000 donation, which was made possible through the Georgia HEART Hospital Program.
West Central Georgia Bank President and CEO Eddie Rogers, EVP and CLO Kyle Stonecipher and CFO Matt Adams presented the check to URMC CEO Dan Owens and CFO Jason Gassett.
“We are deeply grateful to West Central Georgia Bank for its generous support of Upson Regional Medical Center through the Georgia HEART Hospital Program,” said Dan Owens, CEO of Upson Regional Medical Center. “This donation is an investment in the health and well-being of the families we serve and will help us continue strengthening access to quality care close to home.”
Georgia HEART allows businesses, such as West Central Georgia Bank, 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.
“Thomaston, Upson County and the surrounding communities are fortunate to have access to quality healthcare at Upson Regional Medical Center,” said West Central Georgia Bank EVP and CLO Kyle Stonecipher. “We are proud to be able to support Upson Regional Medical Center and its employees by participating in the Georgia HEART Hospital Program. We feel like through this program, small businesses like West Central Georgia Bank can participate by helping provide funds that make a difference in healthcare in our community.”
West Central Georgia Bank’s donation to URMC will provide support to vital projects, such as the expansion of the Mother/Baby Unit. This project consists of new construction, expansion and renovation to its nursery, as well as improvements to the layout of the facility to adhere to modern standards of the high specialized obstetrical and neonatal services offered to families. The Mother/Baby Unit is expected to be completed by fall of 2026.
To qualify for Georgia HEART, hospitals must meet specific requirements as set forth by state legislation. Among these requirements are the hospital’s tax-exempt status, population size of the county where the hospital is located, the acceptance of Medicare and Medicaid, and minimum annual provision of indigent or uncompensated care.
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.