The ARMC Guest House

Purpose

Weary families can be close to the patients they love, thanks to Athens Regional Medical Center's Guest House. As the first of its kind in northeast Georgia, The Guest House provides overnight lodging for the families of seriously ill or injured patients at ARMC. The facility offers patients' families the peace of mind of knowing they have a comfortable bed in a home within walking distance of the hospital.

History

The Guest House rests on wooded property overlooking a stream and fitness trail. The 14 units provide needed respite to those weary from caring for their loved ones. The center building contains a hospitality room with comfortable furniture where guests can gather to share their concerns and gain support from other people who are experiencing a similar crisis. Six single rooms, the laundry facility and a mini-kitchen complete that building. The two end buildings contain four suites for families.

The Guest House is a dream come true for many dedicated employees, volunteers and supporters of Athens Regional Medical Center, after the hospital's Development Council raised more than $700,000 for the complex. The Development Council targeted The Guest House as a fundraising project in an effort to make an extended hospital stay more bearable for the loved ones of patients.

Before The Guest House became a reality, the guest accommodations were very different. "At that time, one need only to walk the halls of ARMC late at night to see the need for such a facility," remarked Leonard J. Sapera, chairman of the Council. "The halls were filled with family members struggling to rest or get a few hours of sleep. Many relatives of patients are unable to return to their homes easily and others simply want to be able to be there if needed in an emergency situation. The Guest House allows families of patients a comfortable place to stay while remaining near the hospital."

The land for The Guest House facility was donated by Athens Regional, but all other monies raised came through private donations, memorial gifts, Pillar Society memberships, Cornerstone Society memberships, corporate and foundation donations. Volunteer organizations affiliated with the hospital, such as the ARMC Auxiliary and The Junior League of Athens, were instrumental in raising these monies. In addition, almost 900 ARMC employees contributed more than $50,000 through the employee giving program, G.I.F.T. (Getting Involved For Tomorrow), which is coordinated through the Foundation.

Location

The ARMC Guest House is located on Pine Needle Drive, directly across the street from the Medical Center on heavily wooded property that contains a stream and fitness trail. The natural setting adds a sense of calm and refuge for our guests.

The Guest House provides lodging in a home-like environment primarily for relatives of patients seeking medical treatment outside their own community. Athens Regional Medical Center serves a 15 county area of northeast Georgia and provides increasingly specialized services. Eighty percent of our patients come from outside Athens-Clarke County.

In addition to meeting the basic need of housing, this hospitality house provides something equally important, an opportunity for rest and renewal.

The Athens Regional Medical Center Guest House is a member of the National Association of Hospital Hospitality Houses.

Fee Schedule and Access
The fees for The Guest House are as follows:

Single rooms:	1-2 guests $15/night$100/week
Suites	Up to 4 guests $30/night$200/week

:All rooms have private baths, cable television, telephones, and linens. Suites consist of a living area with sleeper sofa, a bedroom and queen-sized beds and a kitchenette with microwave, sink and mini-refrigerator.

For more information, contact the Guest House Manager at (706) 475-5400 extension 5400 or the Patient Representative on call at (706) 475-3397 extension 3397. After 11:00pm and on the weekends, call the Operator at (706) 475-7000 for assistance.