WARNER ROBINS, GA — Emory Hospitals Warner Robins and Perry, formerly Houston Healthcare, are celebrating a transformative first year since joining Emory Healthcare in June 2025. During the past 12 months, the system has delivered major clinical, technological, and operational upgrades across Middle Georgia—bringing advanced care closer to home and strengthening the workforce that delivers it.
“Becoming part of Emory Healthcare has allowed us to bring world‑class resources to Middle Georgia while honoring our community’s legacy of care,” says Kevin Splaine, CEO of Emory Hospitals Warner Robins and Perry. “This year has been about strengthening our foundation, investing in technology, equipment, services and our teams so every patient receives the right care closer to home.”
Over the past year, Emory Warner Robins and Perry have invested in accelerated advancements in equipment, operations, services, workforce and technology. Some of the advancements include:
• Emory Healthcare Heart & Vascular and Transplant Clinic opened at the Sonny Watson Health Pavilion to provide local specialty cardiac and transplant care, reducing the need for travel outside the region.• Emory Healthcare Heart & Vascular and Transplant Clinic opened at the Sonny Watson Health Pavilion to provide local specialty cardiac and transplant care, reducing the need for travel outside the region.
• Emory EMS and emergency care added six ambulances and two quick‑response vehicles to the emergency fleet, expanded Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) and paramedic staffing and upgraded equipment. Emory Hospital Warner Robins launched an Advanced Practice Paramedic Program and added triage paramedics to the Emergency Department, placing a paramedic alongside the nurse at arrival to improve the patient experience and reduce wait times.
• Advanced imaging added with new CT scanners and expanded cardiac CT/MRI availability.
• Biometric medication cabinets deployed to enhance safety and inventory control.
• Emergency preparedness strengthened through enterprise staffing processes and adoption of a new employee communication platform.
• Minimum wage raised to $19 per hour to investing further in the workforce
• myHealthEmory app debuted to provide wayfinding at Emory Hospital Warner Robins and quick access to MyChart patient portal, clinician search and community resources.
This past weekend, the newest technology came online, enhancing clinician- and patient-facing platforms to create a secure, connected system of care, including:
• Epic electronic health record launch creates a centralized, secure system for patient medical records and seamless communication across Emory Healthcare, bridging information into MyChart for patient-facing access to data, creating a harmonious interaction between systems.
• MyChart rollout provides patients real time access to test results, medication refills, bill pay, secure messaging, appointment management and organ donor registration.
“Our teams have embraced change with resilience and compassion,” says Melissa Phagan, interim COO and VP of operations at Emory Hospital Warner Robins and Perry. “Every upgrade—from digital tools to facility improvements—supports our mission to enrich the patient experience.”
Emory continues its investment in Warner Robins and Perry, totaling $150 million following the integration of Houston Healthcare. This includes about $60 million dedicated to Epic electronic health record and planned annual investments of $12 to $15 million for ongoing upgrades and infrastructure modifications across campuses, including elevator, HVAC, air handling, electrical and mechanical upgrades.
“These changes are already enhancing care delivery,” says Kathryn Glas, MD, chief medical officer at Emory Hospitals Warner Robins and Perry. “Epic integration, the new Heart & Vascular Clinic and emergency department advancements are making a measurable difference in outcomes.”“These changes are already enhancing care delivery,” says Kathryn Glas, MD, chief medical officer at Emory Hospitals Warner Robins and Perry. “Epic integration, the new Heart & Vascular Clinic and emergency department advancements are making a measurable difference in outcomes.”
Upcoming improvements include upgrades to patient rooms, such as new flooring and fresh paint at Emory Hospital Warner Robins, operating room renovations at Emory Hospital Perry, as well as updated hospital and pavilion signage and continued websites updates.
As Emory Hospitals Warner Robins and Perry move into the second year integrating into Emory Healthcare, the focus remains on expanding access, elevating patient experience and investing in the people and communities served.
