St. Francis – Emory Healthcare Named First ‘Purple Heart Hospital’ in Georgia
COLUMBUS, GA (March 23, 2026) – St. Francis - Emory Healthcare was officially designated as a Purple Heart Hospital by the Military Order of the Purple Heart, becoming the first hospital in Georgia to receive this distinguished honor. This recognition reflects St. Francis’ steadfast commitment to honoring the bravery, service, and sacrifices of our nation’s combat-wounded veterans.
The Purple Heart Hospital designation is awarded to medical facilities that show a strong dedication to acknowledging and supporting Purple Heart recipients within their communities. These hospitals commit to recognizing veterans' sacrifices, often featuring dedicated parking, specialized staff training, and support initiatives.
“We are excited and honored to become the first hospital in Georgia to receive this meaningful designation,” said Bill Little, CEO of St. Francis. “Purple Heart recipients, and veterans in general, are held in extremely high regard at St. Francis. It is a small token of our appreciation for their sacrifices to go the extra mile in providing compassionate, high-quality care to those who have served. We want our care to befit their courage, commitment, and legacy.”
The hospital held a Purple Heart Proclamation presentation and a ribbon-cutting ceremony on March 11 to celebrate the designation. Local Purple Heart recipients, community members, veterans, and leaders gathered in celebration and gratitude for the heroes who have selflessly served our country.
St. Francis is committed to providing exceptional care to all members of the community, including those who have sacrificed so much in service to our nation.
About St. Francis - Emory Healthcare
Since opening our doors in 1950, the caregivers at St. Francis - Emory Healthcare have been committed each day to providing the highest quality care in West Georgia and East Alabama. With 376 beds on two campuses, more than 2,500 associates, and 300 physicians, we offer a full range of inpatient, outpatient, and emergency room services, including the only open-heart surgery program in Columbus and the Chattahoochee Valley. Learn more about St. Francis - Emory Healthcare at mystfrancis.com.