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Small and Rural Hospitals Receive Lifeline From Digital Care Network
Wellstar Digital Care Network helps hospitals across Georgia treat complex medical conditions while keeping patients close to home.
Published on June 11, 2025
Last updated 01:18 PM June 11, 2025
Augusta, Ga. (June 11, 2025) -- Small and rural hospitals across the country too often struggle to survive, faced with the monumental challenges of providing specialized care to sparsely populated communities. Wellstar, in affiliation with Augusta University’s Medical College of Georgia (MCG) Center for Digital Health, is working to change that. Through the Wellstar Digital Care Network, Georgians in rural communities are accessing crucial resources more quickly and conveniently than they could just a few years ago.
Twenty-four percent of rural critical access hospitals in Georgia take advantage of the Wellstar Digital Care Network to strengthen their local emergency departments and inpatient and critical care units. Through this network, they can access needed specialists remotely—experts who might otherwise be out of reach. Care includes adult and pediatric emergency room triage, inpatient and intensive care unit (ICU) support, and critical disease management.
“Our team’s digital care supplements the great work already being done at these rural hospitals,” said Dr. Matt Lyon, director of the MCG Center for Digital Health and a specialist in emergency medicine. “We do more than support these fantastic care teams as they treat their patients. We also uplift their communities by helping keep their healthcare local.”
About 70% of patients in the program remain at a nearby hospital for treatment—a dramatic reversal from when the digital care program started in 2019, when only 30% of patients remained in their local hospital.
“Small hospitals are often challenged to provide the infrastructure needed for specialty services, much less multiple types of specialty services,” said Dr. Hank Capps, executive vice president and chief information and digital officer for Wellstar Health System. “We’re using technology to help bridge these gaps so more Georgia physicians and their patients can access specialty care close to home when they need it most.”
The innovative program has helped some hospitals improve their financial outlook, avoid closure and even expand services to benefit their communities. In Metter, northwest of Savannah, Candler County Hospital went from facing likely closure—admitting an average of only two to three patients per day—to regularly caring for up to 25 patients at a time.
“We noticed that a high number of our patients would avoid care instead of driving farther distances to larger healthcare institutions. Because of the advanced care offered through the Digital Care Network, we were able to expand our existing services and offer more critical care, which enabled more people to receive care locally,” said Michael Purvis, former chief executive officer of Candler County Hospital and current chief executive officer of Dodge County Hospital in Eastman. “As a result, we decreased our transfers by 50% and were able to justify more acute inpatient days. We appreciate the team approach that the digital care leadership has established through this very meaningful program.”
A similar story unfolded east of Athens in Washington, Ga., where Wills Memorial Hospital was able to launch the state’s third long-term ventilator management program for patients who need daily mechanical ventilation for more than three weeks. While most patients get discharged before this point, this program provides a critical resource for people who need extended acute care to properly transition off respiratory support.
In addition to support from Wellstar doctors, rural hospitals in the network are sharing best practices and, when needed, transferring patients to one another to keep care as close to home as possible. For example, a patient who requires a higher level of ICU care might now be transferred to Dodge County Hospital.
“The best thing I ever saw was a helicopter bringing a patient to Dodge instead of taking a patient from Dodge,” said LaDon Toole, former chief executive officer of Dodge County Hospital and current chief executive officer of Memorial Hospital and Manor in Bainbridge. “We are proud to be a vital resource for not only our patients, but also for other communities.”
The Wellstar Digital Care Network’s collaboration with small and rural hospitals goes beyond emergency and critical care. In partnership with MCG, Wellstar also provides remote access to tele-stroke, cardiology, sickle cell, transplant and pediatric subspecialty services for physicians and patients across Georgia.
“Through real-time conversations about diagnoses and treatments, our care team is able to join these doctors in the trenches as they meet the emerging and often urgent needs of their patients,” Dr. Lyon said. “This network saves time, saves lives and even saves hospitals. I am so grateful for how Wellstar and MCG care for the people of Georgia.”
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Catalyst by Wellstar Joins Health Connect South to Drive Healthcare Innovation
ATLANTA – Healthcare leaders from across the Southeast convened at the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta Wednesday for the 12th annual Health Connect South summit, a high-energy gathering that showcased the region’s brightest minds and boldest ideas in health innovation.
The summit drew hundreds of professionals from across the healthcare spectrum—from hospital systems and research institutions to startups and government agencies—all united by a shared mission: to advance health through collaboration.
One of the day’s standout sessions was the panel “Innovation and the Changing Face of Healthcare Delivery,” which brought together a dynamic mix of voices leading change in the industry. The panel featured Moses Ike, venture principal at
Catalyst by Wellstar;
Jesse Goodwin, PhD, chief innovation officer at the Medical University of South Carolina; and Chris Lee, chairman, CEO and co-founder of Huxley Medical. The discussion was moderated by Greg Jungles, HealthTech catalyst at Georgia Tech’s Advanced Technology Development Center (ATDC).
The conversation tackled some of the most pressing questions in healthcare today: How do we deliver care more efficiently? How can startups and health systems work together to scale innovation? And what role does venture capital play in shaping the next generation of health solutions?
“Innovation isn’t just about the latest app or device—it’s about reimagining how we care for people,” said Ike. “It’s about building systems that are smarter, faster and more compassionate.”
As principal of venture at Catalyst by Wellstar, Ike is at the forefront of healthcare investment strategy. He leads efforts to identify and support early-stage startups that are tackling real-world challenges in health-tech, healthcare services and business efficiency, including
Rheaply,
CalmWave
and
Gabbi.
“We’re not just investing in companies—we’re investing in the future of care,” Ike added.
Catalyst by Wellstar, launched by Wellstar Health System, manages a $100 million venture fund, making it one of the largest early-stage, multi-sector healthcare corporate venture funds in the country. The fund is designed to fuel cross-industry solutions that can transform how care is delivered, accessed and experienced.
Throughout the panel, speakers emphasized the Southeast’s growing role as a hub for health innovation. From Atlanta’s thriving startup ecosystem to Charleston’s research-driven medical community, the region is increasingly seen as fertile ground for bold ideas and scalable solutions.
“This panel showcased the incredible momentum in our region—from academic institutions to venture-backed startups—all working together to transform healthcare,” said Jungles.
Known as the largest healthcare gathering in the Southeast, Health Connect South has built a reputation as a launchpad for new partnerships and transformative conversations. This year’s theme centered on breaking down silos and building bridges across disciplines to shape the future of care.
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Wellstar Leader Addresses Rising Cancer Rates in Younger Women at Health Connect South
At this week’s Health Connect South conference,
Dr. Steven McCune,
oncology service line physician lead, joined an impactful panel discussion titled “Women First: Collaborating for Better Cancer Care, Redefining Outcomes for the Next Generation.” The conversation brought together Dr. McCune and other regional experts to explore the alarming rise in cancer diagnoses among younger women.
Research shows that women under 50 are 82% more likely to be diagnosed with cancer than men in the same age group. Historically, cancer research and treatment have focused primarily on older patients.
“If you come see me for breast cancer, we’re about 10 to 20 years too late,” said Dr. McCune. “We want to work on prevention rather than treatment. This is about working together and collaborating to provide access to care in Georgia.”
Dr. McCune highlighted the
Wellstar Center for Genetics
—the largest genetic risk assessment program in Georgia—and its focus on identifying younger women at higher risk. Building on that commitment,
Wellstar Women’s Health
is championing
Gabbi,
an innovative tool that uses data and technology to expand access to advanced breast cancer risk screening. Supported by
Catalyst by Wellstar,
a program led by Dr. Hank Capps, Gabbi reflects Wellstar’s commitment to advance healthcare innovation to improve patient outcomes. Wellstar is also partnering with the Medical College of Georgia to train medical students and residents, helping expand the physician workforce and improve access to care across the state.
The panel, moderated by Dr. Kristin Higgins, chief clinical officer at City of Hope Cancer Center, featured leading voices in the field, including Dr. Lynn Durham, president and CEO of Georgia CORE, a statewide nonprofit dedicated to advancing oncology research and education.
“We work with health systems throughout the state, and we want to make sure that Georgians are getting the best cancer care they can get,” said Durham. “I’m a three-time cancer survivor and luckily I am cancer-free today because of clinical trials and the incredible care we have right here in Georgia.”
Together, the panelists discussed:
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- The impact of rising cancer rates on younger women.
- Gaps in care, awareness and research that need to be addressed.
- Opportunities for health systems, nonprofits and national organizations to collaborate in new ways.
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Wellstar AirCare Completes First ECMO Patient Transport
When every second counts, having access to advanced technology and expert care can make all the difference. On September 10, Wellstar AirCare completed its first patient transport using extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO)—a lifesaving therapy for people with severe heart or lung conditions.
Taking Flight with Lifesaving Technology
For months, Wellstar teams prepared for this moment. Perfusionists, cardiovascular surgeons, flight crews and many others came together to ensure that patients who need ECMO could safely and quickly receive it—even when ground transportation was improbable or impossible.
Their work paid off. This month, AirCare One lifted off with its first ECMO patient on board. The crew worked quickly to stabilize the critically ill cardiovascular patient and minimize bedside time at the referring hospital. Once in the air, they successfully transported the patient to the ECMO center.
“The AirCare and ECMO teams made this success possible through countless hours of planning, education, crew resource management, dry runs, training flights and simulations,” said Zack Lancaster, executive director of Air Medical Transport. “The program is safe, efficient and ready, and it will be a game-changer for many.”
What Is ECMO?
ECMO is an advanced therapy that supports patients with serious cardiac or pulmonary conditions such as heart attack or pneumonia. By temporarily taking over the work of the heart and lungs, ECMO gives the body time to heal after trauma, organ failure or in preparation for major surgery.
Wellstar Kennestone and Wellstar MCG Health Medical Centers are among the few facilities in Georgia with the expertise and technology needed to provide this advanced treatment.
Expanding Access to Care
The successful AirCare transport marks an important milestone for Wellstar—and for the communities we serve. With the ability to rapidly transport ECMO patients by helicopter, more people across Georgia can reach lifesaving care when they need it most.
“This mission represents a new chapter for AirCare—not only as Wellstar’s dedicated critical care transport team, but also as a trusted regional partner in ECMO patient care,” Lancaster said.
Following the transport, leaders at the referring hospital praised the AirCare team for their professionalism and expertise, noting that Wellstar is now their first choice for advanced cardiovascular ICU and cardiac support transport.
Learn more about Wellstar AirCare.