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Piedmont grows again, adding Monroe hospital
Former Clearview Regional is 11th hospital in Piedmont Healthcare group
Piedmont Walton is Open
Workers lower a temporary sign to reveal the Piedmont branding on the new Piedmont Walton Hospital, which replaces the old Clearview Regional Medical Center, on Monday morning, April 2, 2018, in Monroe. Watching the change is Piedmont Healthcare President and CEO Kevin Brown. - photo by Cosby Woodruff

MONROE, Ga. — Piedmont Healthcare added its 11th hospital on Sunday with the completion of the purchase of Clearview Regional Medical Center.

The Monroe facility is now Piedmont Walton Hospital. It is the latest in a string of acquisitions for the Atlanta-based health care provider including the Covington hospital in 2015, the former Athens Regional Medical Center in 2016 and the former Rockdale Medical Center in October.

Quorum Health Corp., the Tennessee-based company that owned Clearview, announced Monday it completed its sale of the 77-bed Monroe hospital as of the close of business Saturday. Terms of the purchase were not announced, but Quorum said it used proceeds to pay down debt.

Former Loganville Mayor Dan Curry, representing the local hospital board, said Monday was “truly a great day for medicine, for health care, in Walton County.”

Kevin Brown, the president and CEO of Piedmont Healthcare, said the addition of Clearview to the system will be good for all.

“Over the years, Clearview Regional has grown and evolved with the community it serves and its mission has always been to provide high-quality health care,” Brown said in a statement.

“It’s evident that Clearview has the same dedication to high-quality, patient-centered care that we value at Piedmont, and today we celebrate a great addition to the Piedmont family, as we continue our commitment to the community of delivering excellent health care close to home.”

Larry Ebert was introduced as the new CEO of the hospital, succeeding Michael Johnson. He comes to Monroe after more than a year as the executive director of strategic operations at Piedmont Athens Regional Medical Center.

“I look forward to bringing Piedmont’s vision to the team here,” he said.

Piedmont Walton was founded in 1959 as a neighborhood hospital in Monroe. It moved to 2151 W. Spring St. in 2012 and took on the Clearview name. But the hospital had multiple owners and administrators over the past decade.

Piedmont now has “hub” hospitals in Atlanta, Athens and Columbus, with other facilities in Conyers, Covington, Fayetteville, Jasper, Monroe, Newnan and Stockbridge. It operates clinics elsewhere in the region.

Sheriff’s Office seeks help identifying suspected arsonist
arson suspect ncso
The suspect is believed to be a young Black male who is pictured wearing a pastel t-shirt, dark pants and white shoes. - photo by Courtesy of the Newton County Sheriff's Office

NEWTON COUNTY — The Newton County Sheriff’s Office (NSCO) is seeking the community’s help in identifying and gaining information regarding an arson suspect. 

According to the NCSO, on Friday, March 7 at around 2:30 p.m., the pictured individual is believed to have deliberately started a fire at the Silos Clubhouse.

The NCSO is requesting that residents of the Ellington Community check their cameras during the Friday afternoon time frame. Videos can be emailed to alberto@newtonsheriffga.org.

If anyone has any information regarding the case, including recognizing the suspected arsonist, call Investigator Alberto at 678-625-1429.

There is no information currently available about the fire itself or any damage it may have caused. The Covington News has reached out to the NCSO and Newton County Fire Services for more information regarding the incident.