Dr. John S. Harvey

     North Fulton Regional Hospital (NFRH) announced that the hospital’s governing board has approved the appointment of John S. Harvey, MD as Medical Director for its Level II Adult Trauma Services.

     Dr. Harvey, a general surgeon, has been an active member of the North Fulton Regional Hospital medical staff since 1984. During that time, Dr. Harvey has served in many leadership roles including Chief of the Medical Staff and as a member of the Board of Directors.

     In addition to the new designation, some of Dr. Harvey’s other accomplishments and endeavors include: 

• Past President, Medical Association of Atlanta 
• Colonel and command surgeon, Georgia State Defense Force
• Medical Director, Metro Medical Strike Team
• Instructor, Advanced Trauma Life Support
• Assistant Clinical Professor, Medical College of Georgia
• Medical Association of Georgia Executive Committee Member and Vice Speaker House of Delegates
• Member Emergency Medical Service Advisory Committee to GA DHR
• Georgia Society of General Surgeons Board Member

     “Dr. Harvey brings a unique blend of experience within the NFRH organization and an integral connection to the State’s trauma and emergency preparedness network,” said Joe Austin, President and CEO of North Fulton Regional Hospital. In this role, Dr. Harvey provides guidance and direction for the hospital’s continued commitment to the Georgia trauma system. “Dr. Harvey has proven himself to be a strong and determined advocate for developing and expanding the availability of emergency and trauma services for the residents of North Georgia,” Austin added.

     A physician dedicated to emergency preparedness, Dr. Harvey takes disaster planning to heart. In October of 2006, Dr. Harvey participated with North Fulton Regional Hospital to showcase a mock mass casualty exercise. Roswell Fire and Police Departments, Georgia State Defense Force (GSDF), Metropolitan Medical Strike Team (MMST), and Atlanta Regional Commission also participated in this exercise. The scenario involved a staged transportation accident exposing a number of civilians to possible cyanide or chlorine gas. A group of over fifty representatives from the various agencies worked to secure the hospital campus, and then receive, decontaminate, triage and treat multiple victims. All activities were conducted outside of the hospital while normal operations continued inside.

     “As a state-designated Level II Trauma Center, North Fulton Regional Hospital must develop and test our plans for responding to such a disaster, says David Anderson, NFRH Chief Operating Officer. Our facility could find itself on the front line in responding to such a horrific situation. The hospital devotes significant resources to being prepared to respond effectively to disasters by conducting drills like this.” Anderson said he was very pleased with the overall performance and communications during the drill and also noted the significant role of the state and local organizations in responding to a potential disaster of this scale.

     In addition to his passion for emergency/trauma care, Dr. Harvey is also well traveled as a medical mission trip organizer to countries including Mexico, Haiti, Jamaica, and has even traveled deep into Brazil on mission trips navigating the Amazon River. With teams consisting of other doctors and medical professionals, Dr. Harvey has help provide desperately needed medical services and equipment to underserved areas.

     To learn more about North Fulton Regional Hospital, Dr. Harvey, and other NFRH physicians, visit our website www.northfultonregional.com.