Three metro Atlanta hospitals have filed written appeals opposing an open heart surgery center approved for Lawrenceville, GA-based Gwinnett Medical Center. Gwinnett Medical Center cleared a major hurdle June 5 by gaining approval from the state Department of Community Health to start the open heart surgery center. However, the recent hospital opposition to the $32.9 million project places the project in limbo. Gwinnett Medical Center President and CEO Phil Wolfe issued a written statement saying he is "deeply disappointed" by the opposition.