Community
Jacksonville, Alabama
Nestled in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains in eastern Alabama and surrounded by wilderness areas of mixed pine and hardwood forests, the city of Jacksonville is well-known as the “Gem of the Hills.”
The Hospital
Jacksonville Medical Center is an 89-bed facility, accredited by The Joint Commission. Nationally recognized for its outstanding constituency satisfaction, the hospital made the top 15 of Modern Healthcare’s prestigious “Best Places to Work” list for 2011. The Joint Commission also recognized JMC in 2011 for significant improvement and/or consistent high performance in various elements of the core measures, inviting the hospital to participate in a project to help other hospitals throughout the nation (Core Measure Solution Exchange™).
Located in North Calhoun County, JMC is an 89-bed facility, built in 1976 by the local health care authority. Following ten years of outside management, the sale of the hospital in 1996 enabled the construction of a new high school for the City of Jacksonville. That valuable endowment gives the school system a competitive advantage and is a source of growth for Jacksonville. The hospital underwent a $3.2 million renovation and expansion project in 2004, which included a new Emergency Department. In 2008, Jacksonville Medical Center became part of the Capella Family of hospitals.
Hospital services include a Medical/Surgical Unit, Obstetrics Unit, Inpatient/Outpatient Surgery, Cardiopulmonary Services, Lab/Reference Lab, Senior Care Unit, Intensive Care Unit, Same Day Surgery, Emergency Room, and Imaging (MRI, CT, Nuclear Medicine, Mammography, Ultrasound).
The Community
Situated midway between Birmingham and Atlanta, the city of Jacksonville is conveniently located 16 miles north of I-20. The community boasts a strong education system. The city schools rank 12th in the state academically. Jacksonville State University (JSU) serves more than 9,000 students on its 318-acre campus. This state-supported regional institution is the fifth largest university in Alabama and is renowned for its teacher education programs. JSU offers pre-professional programs in more than 40 academic areas, including medicine, business, law, criminal justice, nursing, social work, music and environmental management, as well as 18 graduate degree majors. Nearby is the world-famous Talladega Superspeedway, the world’s biggest and fastest motorsports facility, with seating for more than 143,000. Just down the road is the Anniston Museum of Natural History, which features open-air exhibits of mammals, dinosaurs and fossils, a 400-species bird collection, two Egyptian mummies, and a walk-through replica of an Alabama cave. Also included is a children’s discovery room, nature trails, art exhibits, picnic areas and gift store. This nationally accredited museum was recently awarded status as an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institute, the first museum in Alabama to receive this designation.
Recreation
Here in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, wilderness areas are plentiful. Hikers and campers can enjoy the Cheaha National Wilderness Area, the Talladega National Forest and the Coosa River Basin. Cheaha State Park features the highest point in Alabama at 2,407 feet. The park also features eleven stone cabins, Cheaha Lake, a stone bath house, an Observation Tower and Bald Rock Group Lodge. The 33-mile Chief Ladiga Bike Trail is a converted railway line that runs right through the city. Jacksonville also has 200 acres of parks and numerous walking trails. There are four golf courses in the area, including Silver Lakes. Part of the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail, it offers some of the most scenic and demanding golf in the Southeast.
Local Points of Interest
Talladega Superspeedway – the world’s biggest and fastest motorsports facility, with seating for more than 143,000
Cheaha State Park – features the highest point in Alabama (2,407 feet), with plenty of hiking and biking trails and beautiful mountain scenery
Silver Lakes – a 36-hole championship golf course and part of the world famous Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail
Distance to Major Cities
Birmingham, Alabama 76 Miles
Huntsville, Alabama 96 Miles
Atlanta, Georgia 103 Miles
Chattanooga, Tennessee 115 Miles
JMC In The Community
Jacksonville Medical Center is dedicated and committed to being involved in the local community. Each year the hospital gives donations to support many local organizations and participates in many different fundraisers. Many employees at Jacksonville Medical Center serve in a variety of local civic clubs and volunteer their time for many fundraiser events throughout the year. We are committed to serve our community and to provide quality healthcare to everyone. Listed below are organizations that we have contributed to through sponsorships, fundraisers, and volunteer hours:
- American Cancer Society
- American Heart Association
- American Red Cross
- Anniston Rotary Club
- Anniston High School
- Big Brothers Big Sisters
- Boys and Girls Club
- Calhoun County Chamber of Commerce
- Concern For Children
- Jacksonville State University
- Jacksonville Kiwanis Club
- Jacksonville City Schools
- Jacksonville Meals on Wheels
- Jacksonville Merchants
- MGMA East Alabama
- March of Dimes
- Nashville Songwriters Association
- Ohatchee City Schools
- Piedmont City Schools
- Pleasant Valley High School
- Salvation Army
- Saks High School
- United Way of East Central Alabama
- Weaver City Schools
- West Anniston Foundation
- White Plains High School
Last year, Jacksonville Medical Center conducted a Health Fair for the Piedmont community. We provided many beneficial health information booths and provided entertainment, food, and give-aways for everyone that attended.
Jacksonville Medical Center provides a special Halloween event: “Trick or Treat Celebration”. This event is open to the public. Children of all ages dress up in their best costume and come to the facility to “trick or treat” for candy. Each department at Jacksonville Medical Center sets up a booth outside the facility. Each booth consists of a Halloween theme and it is filled with games, candy, and prizes. This event is especially favored by all the kids!