Grady takes another step forward, gains tax-exempt, charitable status

May 13, 2008

The Grady Memorial Hospital Corporation, which established the new non-political board to direct the operations of Grady Memorial Hospital, has been granted tax-exempt, charitable status by the Internal Revenue Service.
 
"This is another important day for Grady," said A.D. "Pete" Correll, chairman of the new Grady board and former chairman of Georgia-Pacific Corp. "Grady Memorial Hospital Corporation is now officially recognized as a tax-exempt, nonprofit organization -- another critical step in allowing us to get Grady the help it needs to keep serving this community."
 
The tax-exemption determination was obtained in less than a month.
 
"We owe our utmost gratitude to U.S. Representative John Lewis for expediting this process and to Senators Saxby Chambliss and Johnny Isakson for their ongoing support," Correll added. "This is just the latest example of how our entire state is pulling together to strengthen Grady's historic mission as our region's safety-net hospital and the only Level-1 trauma center in North Georgia."
 
"As a subcommittee chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, I have developed an on-going relationship with the IRS Commissioner.  I am so pleased that I could offer my assistance in speeding up this process," Rep. Lewis said. "The funding for Grady was hanging in the balance, and I hope that this expedited determination will allow the hospital to take another step to continue the valuable health care they deliver to those in the Atlanta metro area who need it the most."
 
"This is an important step in ensuring that Grady continues to provide critical health care services to all Georgians," Sen. Chambliss said. "I was pleased to offer my assistance to the Grady Memorial Hospital Corporation board."
 
"I am very pleased the IRS acted so quickly in granting this status to the Grady Memorial Hospital Corporation," Sen. Isakson said. "It is a positive step forward for the future of this critical hospital."
 
Correll said the next important step is for the lease to commence, targeted for May 20. At that time, the Grady Memorial Hospital Corporation will officially be responsible for hospital operations.