Live to the Beat Powered by Wellstar: Celebrating a Year of Impact

In a powerful example of what community collaboration can achieve, Wellstar Community Health has partnered with Yah Rootz, Woodland Middle School and Mount Olive Seventh-Day Adventist Church to bring a vibrant, sustainable community garden to life on the grounds of Woodland Middle School in East Point. This exciting initiative is more than a garden—it's a living classroom, a hub for healthy living and a beacon of hope for the entire community.

The groundbreaking ceremony, held in October on the school campus, marked the beginning of the project. Community members, students, staff and representatives from each partnering organization came together to celebrate the milestone. Shovels in hand and hearts full of hope, the group officially broke ground, symbolizing the planting of not just crops, but seeds of knowledge, health and community empowerment.

Empowering students through hands-on learning

The community garden offers Woodland Middle School students an opportunity to engage in hands-on learning that connects directly to science, health and environmental studies. Gardening teaches responsibility, patience and teamwork while providing students with a deeper understanding of nutrition and food systems. As they learn to grow fruits, vegetables and herbs, students develop a stronger appreciation for where food comes from and how it impacts their well-being.

“This garden is going to help us learn in ways we can't always do in the classroom,” said one student at the groundbreaking event. “It’s cool to be outside, getting our hands dirty and knowing we’re doing something good for the Earth and our school.”

Strengthening community roots

The benefits of the garden extend beyond the school. With support from Yah Rootz—a local organization dedicated to promoting sustainable agriculture and food justice—the garden will serve as a fresh produce source and educational tool for families and community members. Workshops, volunteer days and harvest events will create ongoing opportunities for residents to connect, learn and grow together.

Mount Olive Seventh-Day Adventist Church has played a vital role in supporting the vision through outreach and coordination. Their involvement helps ensure the garden will be a lasting resource that promotes wellness, unity and service.

“We believe health and healing happen when communities come together,” said a representative from Mount Olive. “This garden is a way to nurture not only the soil, but our children, our families and our shared future.”

Model for community health

For Wellstar Community Health, this project exemplifies our mission to advance health equity and address the social determinants of health in a meaningful, grassroots way. Access to nutritious food, safe green spaces and educational resources are critical components of a healthy community. By investing in initiatives like this, Wellstar and its partners are laying the groundwork for long-term wellness.

“We are incredibly proud of this partnership,” said Nurse Manager, Community Resource Community Health and Center for Health Equity Nina Gilmore. “It represents what’s possible when healthcare, education, faith and grassroots organizations work hand in hand. The success of this groundbreaking is only the beginning of what we hope will be a thriving, sustainable garden and a source of pride for this community.”

As the seasons change and the garden grows, so will the relationships, knowledge and health of all who are touched by this initiative. The Woodland Middle School community garden stands as a testament to the power of partnership, the strength of local action and the promise of a healthier future—one seed at a time.

Learn more about Wellstar’s community health initiatives.

Wellstar’s meaningful collaboration with Wholesome Wave Georgia and the Vitamix Foundation has united efforts to promote healthy eating and wellness in local communities. 

Through this partnership, Wholesome Wave Georgia helped bridge the connection between the Wellstar Community Health team and the Vitamix Foundation, creating an opportunity to directly support families with tools and education to lead healthier lives. With generous support from the Vitamix Foundation, Vitamix blenders were distributed to community members during a series of local events. 

But this initiative was about more than just providing equipment—it was about empowerment. Participants received hands-on demonstrations on how to use their new blenders to create affordable, nutritious and delicious meals. From smoothies packed with fruits and vegetables to homemade soups and sauces, attendees learned simple, healthy recipes they can replicate at home. These sessions emphasized practical ways to incorporate more whole foods into daily meals. 

The Vitamix blenders helped Wellstar promote healthy eating in an interactive and practical way. We held live demonstrations of healthy food preparation, taught nutrition facts and shared culturally relevant recipes. The blenders also became a catalyst for engagement—sparking conversations about diet, cancer prevention and overall wellness. The accompanying recipe books ensured the impact would be sustainable, giving families resources to continue making healthy choices long after the events ended. 

We heard touching stories from community members about how this initiative made a difference. 

“I have used my Vitamix many times and I love it. I have even made smoothies for guests who have shared their recipes with me. It’s great!” said Bettie Jones.

At one event, a mother of a child with autism shared her excitement about discovering new recipes that her child might enjoy. Another mother, who received the baby edition recipe guide, explained how the blender and recipes helped supplement her 2-year-old’s diet following a medical procedure that affected his teeth. Members of our cancer support group also shared how soups and smoothies offered accessible, nourishing options while managing treatment side effects. 

This collaboration reflects Wholesome Wave Georgia’s commitment to making healthy food accessible, affordable and appealing to everyone. By connecting partners and resources, Wellstar invest in the long-term health of our communities. 

Together, we are blending health, education and equity—one meal at a time. Learn more about Wellstar’s community health programs.

Being proactive with his heart health proved lifesaving for Marion “Mario” Stokes—and paved the way for a minimally invasive artery replacement procedure that has given him renewed energy to do what he loves.

Catching a heart concern 

Mario enjoyed a busy career as an attorney practicing commercial litigation. He also stayed active throughout his life, serving as a Navy Judge Advocate General Corps officer, becoming a certified scuba divemaster, and enjoying photography and studying history. When he noticed he was out of breath frequently—and his smart watch notified him of an irregular heartbeat—he discussed his symptoms with his primary care physician. 

An electrocardiogram detected a leaky aortic valve, and after discussion with his care team at Wellstar Center for Cardiovascular Care, Mario decided to proceed with a transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR).

Advanced, minimally invasive surgery

Aortic stenosis occurs when the aortic valve narrows, preventing normal flow of blood from the left ventricle, also known as the pumping chamber of the heart, to the aorta and the rest of the body. Over time, this narrowing causes the heart’s left ventricle to pump harder to push blood through the stenotic aortic valve.

“TAVR is an amazing technology offering a minimally invasive alternative to open-heart surgery,” said Wellstar Cardiologist Dr. Nabil Sabbak, who performed Mario’s procedure at Wellstar Kennestone Regional Medical Center. “The valve is delivered through a small catheter via a tiny incision in the groin, eliminating the need to open the chest or stop the heart. This approach is lower-risk for many patients and allows for a quicker recovery with less pain.”

Most patients are walking within hours of the procedure and leave the hospital within 24 hours, according to Dr. Sabbak. Many people return to daily activities within a week.

“I’m very sensitive to pain, but nothing ever hurt,” Mario said about his procedure.

‘It’s like a new heart’

Mario said his valve replacement has given him more energy than he had before, allowing him to enjoy his retirement and time with family. The improvement is evident in his regular walks around his neighborhood and exercise at Wellstar Health Place.

“There's a steep hill that's near our house. Before the procedure, I couldn't walk up the hill without stopping at least once or twice to pause and get my breath,” he said. “Now I can just walk right up—no problem. It's made a huge difference in my life."

He stays busy with his fiancée and their three-year-old granddaughter—taking her on trips to the zoo, botanical gardens and nature center—as well as visiting his two children in Las Vegas and Philadelphia.

“It's like a new heart. It's unbelievable really,” Mario said. “I slept twice as much before. Sometimes I'd sleep 10 or 12 hours a night and then maybe take a nap. I was really out of energy.”

He is also building strength at cardiac rehabilitation three times a week at Wellstar Vinings Health Park, as well as continuing treatment with his Wellstar heart care team.

“I have been super pleased with Wellstar,” Mario said. “The folks there are very professional, and they have a wonderful combination of intelligence, education and caring, from the receptionists to the nurses, physician assistants and doctors.”

Learn more about heart care at Wellstar.

Mario Stokes