News Releases

December 20, 2002
WGHS Auxiliary to sponsor “The Faress House” for Habitat/Twin Cedars build

The West Georgia Health System Auxiliary today announced that it has approved $50,000 in funding for the construction of one apartment of the 10-apartment complex planned for the Habitat for Humanity building project at Twin Cedars. The group also designated the apartment to be called the “The Faress House” in honor of long-time WGHS nurse and administrator Mary Lynn Faress, who is retiring today after 27 years of service. The announcement came this morning at a breakfast reception in her honor.
The 10 apartment homes will be built on property that was donated in December to Twin Cedars, an assistance organization for families and individuals. Eight of the units will be used as “second chance” homes for teen mothers with infants, while the remaining units were designated for other needs.

The WGHS Auxiliary board had previously considered creating a Ronald McDonald-style house for people visiting ill family members, if the right location could be found and purchased. When Twin Cedars executive director Mike Angstadt, approached WGHS President/CEO Jerry Fulks for assistance with the project, Fulks realized that funding one of these new apartment homes could meet the Auxiliary’s goal.

"West Georgia Health System's service area is large and the population is diverse,” says Fulks. “When families from out of town have difficulty finding transportation to and from the hospital to stay with a sick loved one, a facility like The Faress House will help fill a need that would otherwise remain unfulfilled. The generosity of our Auxiliary is deeply appreciated by the employees, Board of Trustees, and medical staff of West Georgia Health System."

Mrs. Faress began her career as a labor and delivery nurse, and eventually became a nursing supervisor at West Georgia Medical Center in 1975. She later became vice president and chief nursing officer for the health system, as well as the vice president overseeing WGHS’ volunteer and community services.

“We are pleased to have this opportunity to step beyond the walls of the health system to reach out to the community,” says Jean Cook, director of volunteer and community services. “This is such a worthwhile project for our auxiliary to fund and naming it after Mrs. Faress is icing on the cake. It is such a fitting tribute to this wonderful leader and to the legacy she leaves not only at West Georgia Health System, but also to this community.”