NEWS BRIEFS: Gwinnett has best water in state, maybe in the nation

Through a blind taste test and vote, the Georgia Association of Water Professionals named Gwinnett County’s drinking water the Best Tasting Water in Georgia. Winning this award qualifies Gwinnett to compete in the national American Water Works Association competition against utilities across the country.

Department of Water Resources Director Tyler Richards beams proudly as she says: “We take pride in delivering high quality, great tasting water to the people and businesses of Gwinnett. I believe we owe this award to the hard work, passion, ingenuity and dedication of our employees. They work around the clock to ensure our water meets the Gwinnett Standard.”

The county gets its drinking water from Lake Lanier. From there, it’s treated at two water production plants, Shoal Creek Filter Plant and Lanier Filter Plant. These two plants use advanced technology to provide more than 70 million gallons of drinking water to Gwinnett’s nearly one million residents. The water is continuously tested for quality and taste. To find out more about Gwinnett’s drinking water, visit GwinnettWaterWords.com.

Commissioners reviewing feedback on Gwinnett Place Mall

When it comes to revitalizing Gwinnett Place Mall, Gwinnett residents have spoken: They would like to see affordable housing, neighborhood services, incentives for existing businesses in the area, job support and a central location with regional and accessible transit. 

Gwinnett County Chairwoman Nicole Hendrickson says: “The County pursued this work with the goal of centering marginalized communities most at risk of displacement through large-scale redevelopments such as this one.”

In addition to the Community Partner Advisory Board guiding the process, several community-driven events were held over the course of the last year to streamline responses and gain valuable feedback. 

Here is a breakdown of the five themes that emerged from the community’s responses:

  • Housing: Ensure existing residents of the mall can remain in the area and share in the benefits of redevelopment
  • Neighborhood Services: Support existing and new Gwinnett residents as the County grows and becomes increasingly diverse
  • Small Business: Offer existing businesses in the mall area new opportunities to grow and thrive
  • Jobs: Generate jobs for Gwinnett residents that enable them to support themselves and their families
  • Cultural Activity Center: Become a vibrant, regional destination, with transit connectivity, that generates prosperity for communities and the County

In the next major milestone for the mall’s future, the Board of Commissioners will evaluate themes from the Reclaim Gwinnett Place Mall Project and outcomes from the Gwinnett Place Livable Centers Initiative study and use the findings from both plans to prepare a Request for Information to solicit proposals for the redevelopment of Gwinnett Place Mall.

PCOM Georgia graduates 236 doctoral candidates in 2022

PCOM Georgia in Suwanee graduated 236 doctoral students on May 26 from the Ameris Amphitheatre in Alpharetta. Family members and friends gathered to celebrate the 123 doctor of osteopathic medicine students, 73 doctor of pharmacy students and 40 doctor of physical therapy students who have completed their professional education. Leading up to commencement, honors brunches, awards ceremonies and a dinner dance were held to celebrate the graduates.

PCOM President and CEO Jay Feldstein addressed the graduates. He said, “At PCOM Georgia, you have acquired vital knowledge, critical thinking, and clinical skills. You have learned, too, how to pivot and adapt, and how to meet challenges with courage and determination. And resilience. I have never been more proud of a class of students. Go. Step out into the chaos and make use of your gifts for the betterment of the world!”

Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine pharmacy alumni Anthony J. Silvagni, was the keynote speaker. He has been an educator for more than 50 years. Most notably, he is the former dean of osteopathic medicine at Nova Southeastern University, serving from 1998 to 2015. 

Dr. Silvagni is a Distinguished Fellow of the American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians, a Fellow of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia, and a Fellow of the American Foundation for Pharmaceutical Education. In his remarks, he requested that the graduates work together in health care as a team. “No profession, or more importantly individual professionals, can practice well completely independent in today’s complicated and rapidly changing healthcare environment,” he said. “Today absolutely requires teamwork among all health professionals. Respect each other’s strengths and work together to give the best patient care possible.”

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