News & Media
Friday, August 14, 2026
APALACHICOLA, Fla. — George E. Weems Memorial Hospital is one of seven rural hospitals participating in a regional collaborative awarded nearly $11.2 million in Year 1 funding through Florida’s Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP), administered by the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA).
The five-year Specialty & Acute Care Bundle, led by Calhoun Liberty Hospital, will expand access to specialty care, strengthen emergency services and improve care coordination across Northwest Florida.
The collaborative includes:
- Calhoun Liberty Hospital
- Doctors Memorial Hospital (Bonifay)
- Doctors’ Memorial Hospital (Perry)
- George E. Weems Memorial Hospital (Apalachicola)
- Jackson Hospital (Marianna)
- Madison County Memorial Hospital
- Northwest Florida Community Hospital (Chipley)
Together, the partner hospitals serve residents across Calhoun, Franklin, Gadsden, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, Liberty, Madison, Taylor, Walton and Washington counties.
Expanding Access to Care Close to Home
For patients in Franklin County, this initiative means greater access to specialized care without traveling long distances.
As the program is implemented, Weems patients will have access to:
- Cardiology, oncology and neurology specialists through secure video visits
- Expanded behavioral and mental health services through telehealth
- Faster emergency stroke evaluations with immediate specialist consultation
- Shared technology that helps participating hospitals securely coordinate patient care
Implementation will occur in phases during the program’s first year as participating hospitals complete readiness activities. Specific service launch dates for Weems will be announced as they become available.
“This partnership gives Franklin County patients access to specialty care without a long drive to get it,” said David Walker, CEO of George E. Weems Memorial Hospital. “Our patients will be able to connect with cardiology, oncology and neurology specialists by video right here at Weems, and reach stroke specialists quickly when every minute matters. This is about increased access to care for the communities we serve.”
The Florida Rural Health Transformation Program is designed to strengthen healthcare delivery across the state’s rural communities by supporting regional partnerships that improve access to care, expand services and enhance patient outcomes.
Monday, July 27, 2026 –
Sometimes, the smallest interactions leave the biggest impression.
Whether he’s helping a patient, welcoming a visitor or supporting a coworker, Logan Anderson is known for treating people with kindness, professionalism and respect. Those qualities recently earned him recognition as Weems Memorial Hospital’s Employee of the Month.
Logan was nominated by a colleague who described him as a go-getter with a positive attitude and exceptional customer service skills. The nomination praised his willingness to take on new responsibilities with a smile and noted that “the space provided wasn’t enough to write everything I appreciate about Logan.”
During the recognition, Weems Memorial Hospital CEO David Walker shared a story that perfectly captured why Logan was selected. After a positive interaction with Logan, a visitor later reached out to Walker to share how much Logan’s kindness and professionalism had meant during a visit to the hospital. That interaction made such a lasting impression that the visitor later chose to support Weems Memorial Hospital through a generous philanthropic gift.
While Logan has since transitioned from patient admissions to the Finance Department, the qualities that earned him this recognition have remained the same.
Chief Nursing Officer Courtney Alford said Logan stood out from the very beginning.
“From day one, we recognized that Logan was someone we wanted to keep,” Alford said. “He carries himself well, speaks to everyone and represents the kind of person you want in your organization.”
She added that Logan exemplifies the level of customer service and professionalism Weems strives to provide every patient, visitor and family member.
For Logan, the recognition is meaningful because of what Weems has become to him.
“It used to feel like I had a job. Now it feels like a career,” he said. “It’s nice to feel that way, and it’s nice to know you’re appreciated.”
Weems Memorial Hospital congratulates Logan Anderson on this well-deserved recognition and thanks him for the compassion, professionalism and positive attitude he brings to our patients, visitors and colleagues every day.
June 30, 2026 –
A new exam room bed is now in place at the Weems Medical Center West in Apalachicola, thanks to a $5,000 gift from the Weems Memorial Healthcare Foundation.
The donation is part of the Foundation’s Comfort, Care and Stronger Community campaign – a 2026 fundraising priority focused on updating clinic equipment across both the West and East Clinic locations and the main campus of WMH. The goal is $40,000, with funds going toward new exam beds and specialty equipment designed to create a safer, more comfortable environment for every patient who walks through the door.
It’s a straightforward investment with a direct impact. The West Clinic alone sees more than 6,600 patient visits a year. Having the right equipment matters – for staff and for patients.
The Foundation is also working toward bringing DEXA bone density screening to Franklin County, which would give local residents access to an important preventive service without having to travel. That screening would support women 65 and older, men 70 and older, and adults 50 and older with osteoporosis risk factors.
If you’d like to support the Foundation’s work, there are several ways to get involved. Donations can be made online, and the Foundation’s annual fundraiser – Rising Tides Lift All Boats, a cocktail and chef-curated dinner event – returns Saturday, Nov. 14, 2026, at the Apalachicola Yacht Club from 7-10:30 pm. Tickets and sponsorship information are available here.
To learn more, donate or get involved, visit weemsmemorial.com/foundation, or https://www.facebook.com/WeemsFoundation or email Colleen Zester, Foundation chair at weemsfoundation@weemsmemorial.com.
June 19, 2026
Franklin County hospice care just got more accessible, giving families a local option for one of life’s hardest journeys.
On June 18, George E. Weems Memorial Hospital and Big Bend Hospice cut the ribbon on the Franklin County Big Bend Hospice In-Patient Care Unit, a dedicated room designed to give patients and families compassionate, end-of-life care without having to leave the county.
“We’re fortunate to have a local hospital that can provide a service like this,” said Weems Governing Board Chair Duffie Harrison. “Our goal has always been to keep care close to home, in our own community. It’s our people taking care of our community, and our local volunteers and Weems staff are who made this happen.”
The room gives families a comfortable, home-like space to be present with their loved ones, while Weems’ clinical team and Big Bend Hospice coordinate care side by side.
“We can’t help with the outcome, but we can offer comfort in the journey,” said Doris Carmichael, APRN, a hospice volunteer and President of the Big Bend Hospice Advisory for Franklin County. Carmichael, who lost her husband three years ago, said the work is close to her heart. “This room allows families to be at the bedside to offer the emotional support their loved one needs, while skilled nursing takes care of their medical needs.”
That partnership is central to how the room operates. Big Bend Hospice Chief Operating Officer Amanda Gustafson called it a continuation of a long-standing relationship between the two organizations. “When you can no longer be cared for at home, here you have 24-hour care,” Gustafson said, adding that the room also offers respite for exhausted caregivers who need a safe place for their loved one to stay.
Just outside the room, the Weems Healthcare Foundation funded a Reflecting Garden, a quiet outdoor space where loved ones can step away for a private moment, a phone call, or simply some fresh air.
“This is what Weems is about,” said CEO David Walker. “Partnerships, caring for our community, and increasing local access to care.”
The hospice room reflects a broader commitment at Weems: building services that allow Franklin County residents to receive high-quality care without traveling outside the community they call home.
