New signage appears on the campus of Navicent Health Baldwin, formerly Oconee Regional Medical Center.

MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. — A new era has begun at the local hospital with new owners and a new name.

Formerly known as Oconee Regional Medical Center, the hospital will now be known as Navicent Health Baldwin.

The new name change was made official Sunday night, just hours after officials with Navicent Health Inc., of Macon, officially closed on the sale of the local hospital. Navicent acquired the local hospital after former management officials and board of directors members of the hospital filed for bankruptcy protection from their creditors earlier this year in U.S. Federal Bankruptcy Court in Macon.

When employees at the hospital walked onto the campus Monday morning to begin their day, they were greeted with temporary signs that read Navicent Health Baldwin.

“We expect the permanent signage to be in place within the next three to four months,” said Darren Pearce, the new interim chief executive officer at Navicent Health Baldwin. “The name is something newer, symbolizing a fresh start that incorporates the hospital’s history and remembers who we are and where we’re from. We want the hospital to serve all citizens of Baldwin County, not just Milledgeville.”

Monday marked the first day of full operations by the new owners and members of their management team.

“The transition went very well, very smooth,” Pearce said. “The employees seem very engaged, and no major issues have presented themselves.”