The 5 Dos and Don’ts of Managing Joint Health

MARIETTA and TOCCOA, Ga. (September 2, 2026) — Wellstar Health System and Stephens County Hospital announced today that they have reached an agreement for Stephens County Hospital and related entities to become part of Wellstar Health System. The transaction is expected to be completed toward the end of 2026, pending the conclusion of regulatory approvals.

The planned transaction represents a pivotal moment for the two trusted and vital organizations to come together to strengthen local healthcare and create capacity for additional specialized resources in and around Stephens County.

Stephens County Hospital is a longtime, trusted healthcare provider for Toccoa and surrounding North Georgia communities. The 96-bed acute care hospital has served patients and families throughout the region for nearly 90 years. Following regulatory approval, the hospital will become part of Wellstar.

Wellstar and Stephens County Hospital already share a strong relationship through their tele-stroke program collaboration, giving Stephens County community members access to advanced regional stroke and surgical capabilities.

As part of Wellstar, Stephens County Hospital will gain further access to a broad network of specialists and subspecialists, enhanced telehealth capabilities, advanced clinical expertise and the operational strengths of one of Georgia's leading integrated health systems. Wellstar's scale and resources will support the hospital's long-term vitality while allowing patients to continue receiving high-quality care close to home. "For Stephens County Hospital to serve its community so well for nearly a century requires exceptional talent, deep community trust and an unwavering commitment to its mission," said Wellstar President and CEO Ketul J. Patel. "We look forward to working together to build on the strong foundation already in place while creating new opportunities for the community through expanded access to specialized care, innovative services and the strength of an integrated health system."

The agreement reflects a mutual commitment to providing seamless connectivity across care settings, and greater access to specialized clinical expertise and the resources required to meet the evolving healthcare needs of the community.

"For generations, Stephens County Hospital has been a pillar of this community and a trusted healthcare provider for Toccoa, Stephens County and surrounding North Georgia," said Stephens County Hospital CEO Van Loskoski. "By joining Wellstar, we believe we can build on our strong relationships with patients, families and local physicians, while expanding access to specialized services and investing in the hospital's long-term future, so more people can receive the right care, in the right place, at the right time."

In the last few years, Stephens County Hospital has made thoughtful decisions to expand its surgical program, particularly in general surgery and orthopedics, which now features five operating rooms and two full-time orthopedic surgeons. The hospital also has built a tele-stroke program in partnership with Wellstar and has fortified its cardiovascular services.

“All of these improvements have been part of a thoughtful, strategic approach to position Stephens County Hospital to broaden access to specialty care in our communities, which is where we find ourselves today,” Loskoski said.

The planned transaction demonstrates Wellstar's continued momentum in thoughtfully expanding access to high-quality healthcare across Georgia by investing in strong community hospitals and connecting them to one of the Southeast's leading health systems. It builds on Wellstar's strategic growth across the state, enabling clinical expertise, advanced technology and best practices to be shared across communities while improving access to care closer to home.

Nothing changes for patients or the hospitals today. Wellstar and Stephens County Hospital confirmed that patients will continue to have access to the physicians, services and care teams they know and trust. Wellstar intends to take a thoughtful, phased approach to integration that prioritizes continuity for patients, clinicians and team members.

Additional information and updates will be shared with team members, clinicians, patients and the community as they become available.

About Wellstar Health System

Wellstar Health System is one of the largest nonprofit health systems in the Southeast and a growing destination for care across Georgia and beyond. Guided by its PeopleCare culture, Wellstar is advancing a bold vision to deliver exceptional quality, safety and patient experience while expanding access to world-class medicine. Today, 35,000 team members, one of the region’s largest physician networks and 13 hospitals, serve communities through more than 400 care locations, including cancer centers, rehabilitation facilities, urgent care centers and a digital care network that extends specialty expertise to community and rural hospitals. Wellstar’s nationally recognized programs span cardiology, neuroscience, oncology, orthopedics, pediatrics and other specialties, bringing advanced treatment closer to the people who need it.

Through partnerships that include Augusta University’s Medical College of Georgia, Wellstar helps educate future clinicians, accelerate discovery and translate research into real-world impact. Recognized as one of Fortune’s 100 Best Companies to Work For, Wellstar combines clinical excellence, innovation and collaboration to improve the health and well-being of every person it serves.

About Stephens County Hospital

Stephens County Hospital (SCH) is a 96-bed non-profit hospital which has been serving the North Georgia region since 1937. SCH employs nearly 500 people and boasts a medical staff of nearly 200 physicians and advanced practice providers. Stephens has a proven track record of providing exceptional healthcare having achieved in recent years several designations and awards including “Center of Excellence” status in Orthopedic Surgery from The Joint Commission, as well as being certified by the Department of Public Health as a Remote Treatment Stroke Center and as an Emergency Cardiac Care Center.

Stephens County Hospital provides a wide array of acute care services including Emergency Medicine, Hospitalist Medicine, 24/7 coverage for General and Orthopedic Surgery, as well as operating the Stephens County Emergency Medical Services. SCH also offers access to essential outpatient care with numerous ambulatory care centers providing Primary Care, Urgent Care, General Surgery, Orthopedic Surgery, Wound Care, and Physical Therapy services. SCH also offers a large array of other outpatient services including imaging, laboratory services, occupational health services, cardiac rehabilitation, outpatient infusions, and many additional services.

Through data-driven decision-making and a deeply committed workforce, Stephens has been able to expand greatly in recent years, adding and expanding services. A partnership with Wellstar helps to perpetuate that positive momentum.

GROVETOWN, Ga.  (August 26, 2026) — Wellstar Columbia County Medical Center welcomed its first patients on Wednesday, Aug. 26, following two major community celebrations that marked a historic step forward for healthcare access in Columbia County and the broader Central Savannah River Area.

The first three patients had scheduled shoulder replacements and a tonsillectomy in three of the hospital’s six state-of-the-art operating rooms. The first patient arrived in the emergency department at 8:02 a.m., two minutes after the hospital's opening.

On Aug. 4 Wellstar leaders, including president and CEO Ketul J. Patel and Board of Trustees Chair Greg Morgan, were joined by Georgia Governor Brian Kemp, University System of Georgia Chancellor Sonny Perdue, Augusta University President Russell Keen, Columbia County Commission Chairman Doug Duncan, and other state and local leaders for a ribbon-cutting event and facility tour at the new hospital.

Days later, on Aug. 8, Wellstar welcomed community members to an open house where residents toured the new facility, explored patient care areas, and learned more about the services that will soon be available close to home.

“This is a special milestone for Columbia County, the CSRA, and everyone who helped bring this vision to life,” said Patel. “When a new hospital comes to life, it creates opportunities that will benefit a community for generations. Wellstar Columbia County Medical Center was thoughtfully designed with this community, for this community, and we are excited about the impact it will have on patients and families for years to come.”

The six-story, 100-bed hospital, located at 5000 Gateway Blvd. in Grovetown, will expand access to emergency care, surgical services, advanced imaging, cardiology, neurology, oncology, orthopedics, specialty care, and inpatient services. The hospital is designed to grow with the region and will open with flexible spaces, advanced technology, and patient-centered features that support care close to home.

Wellstar Columbia County Medical Center features dedicated intensive care unit rooms, and every patient room can be converted to function as ICU room if necessary. Patient rooms also include technology to support telehealth visits with specialists at Wellstar MCG Health and family members, along with digital whiteboards that help patients and care teams stay connected to up-to-date medical information. Large windows throughout the hospital bring in natural light, supporting a healing environment.

“This is 12 years of a dream that began with a commitment to better serve this community,” said Russell Keen, president of Augusta University. “What’s being built here is an investment in the CSRA as well as an important part of strengthening the healthcare workforce across Georgia through Wellstar MCG Health, Augusta University, and the Medical College of Georgia.”

The new hospital also expands the partnership among Wellstar, Augusta University, and the Medical College of Georgia, providing additional learning opportunities for students and future healthcare professionals through the use of the latest healthcare technologies. Adjacent to the hospital, a 92,000-square-foot medical office building with 11 outpatient clinics remains under construction and is expected to open later this fall.

During the Aug. 4 ribbon-cutting event, leaders emphasized that the hospital represents years of collaboration, planning, and shared commitment among healthcare, education, government, and community partners. The celebration also highlighted the role of local students, whose artwork will be displayed in the hospital lobby to welcome patients, families, visitors, and team members.

“Hospitals are known for medicine, technology, and clinical expertise—and all of those things matter,” Patel said. “But healing is also about connection, comfort, and belonging.”

MARIETTA, Ga. (Aug. 19, 2026) – Wellstar Health System has named Don Stanziano executive vice president and chief external affairs officer, adding a veteran healthcare marketing and communications leader to its executive team.

Stanziano will lead the health system’s marketing, communications, government relations, and strategic community development teams. In the role, he will help strengthen relationships with patients, communities, partners, policymakers, and other stakeholders while supporting Wellstar’s efforts to become a destination healthcare system in Georgia and across the Southeast.

“Don is an accomplished healthcare executive whose experience spans some of the nation’s leading health systems,” said Ketul J. Patel, president and CEO of Wellstar Health System. “He has successfully led organizations through periods of growth and transformation while strengthening relationships with patients, communities, policymakers, and stakeholders. As Wellstar continues advancing our strategic priorities and expanding our impact across Georgia and the Southeast, Don’s leadership, perspective, and commitment to service will be invaluable in helping us build the partnerships and engagement that support our mission.”

Stanziano brings extensive experience leading marketing, communications, and brand strategy for some of the nation’s largest and most respected healthcare organizations.

He joins Wellstar from Banner Health, one of the nation’s largest nonprofit health systems, with 33 hospitals across six states and approximately $16 billion in annual revenue, where he served as senior vice president and chief marketing officer. In that role, he led initiatives to strengthen the organization’s brand, enhance consumer engagement, and guide external communications.

Prior to Banner Health, Stanziano served as chief marketing and communications officer at Geisinger in Pennsylvania. He also spent 16 years with Scripps Health in San Diego, including eight years as vice president of marketing and communications.

Throughout his career, Stanziano has helped healthcare organizations drive growth, elevate their brands, deepen community engagement, and navigate periods of transformation. At Wellstar, he will help advance the health system’s strategic priorities and strengthen the relationships that support its mission and the communities it serves. Stanziano is expected to begin his new role on September 21.