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Mary Chatman, Executive Vice President of Wellstar Health System and President of Wellstar Kennestone Regional Medical Center and Wellstar Windy Hill Hospital, Named Chair-Elect of the Georgia Hospital Association Board of Trustees

Published on November 23, 2022

Last updated 04:19 PM November 23, 2022

Mary Chatman, PhD, RN, executive vice president (EVP) of Wellstar Health System and president of Wellstar Kennestone Regional Medical Center and Wellstar Windy Hill Hospital, was named chair-elect of the Board of Trustees of the Georgia Hospital Association (GHA) on Nov. 10. Chatman, who has served on the GHA Board since February 2020, will lead the Board in developing strategies for GHA hospital members, advocating for the highest quality care for patients and supporting adequate reimbursement for hospitals.

“Mary Chatman is a visionary leader whose vast leadership skills have benefited Wellstar hospitals and the communities they serve,” said GHA President and CEO Earl Rogers. “She is a strong patient advocate and we look forward to her expertise and leadership of our Board.”

In addition to serving as a Wellstar EVP and president of two of the system’s hospitals, Chatman oversees the operations of the seven other Wellstar hospitals. In 2020, she led the opening of Wellstar Kennestone’s new emergency department, the largest in the Southeast.

Prior to serving in her current role, Chatman was the chief operating officer and chief nursing officer at Memorial Health University Medical Center in Savannah, where she was responsible for managing the 654-bed hospital and its nursing operations. She also served as interim chief information officer for Memorial and completed the electronic health record conversion to EPIC.

This year, Gov. Brian Kemp appointed Chatman to the state’s Healthcare Workforce Commission, where she has helped address challenges in the hiring and retention of healthcare workers.

Chatman has been recognized locally and nationally as a prominent leader and strong patient advocate in health care. Atlanta Daily World recognized her among the 2018 Women of Excellence. Diversity MBA Magazine named her among the 2018 Top 100 Under 50 Executive & Emerging Leaders and 2020 Top 100 Women of Influence. Profiles in Diversity Journal named her a 2020 Women Worth Watching® in STEM award winner. Chatman was recognized by Atlanta Magazine among the 2021 Women Making A Mark honorees and by Becker’s as one of the 75 Black Healthcare Leaders to Know 2022. She was also named the 2020 West Cobb Citizen of the Year for serving on the frontlines for Cobb County, fighting COVID-19 and collaborating with local leaders.

Chatman is deeply involved in the community, serving as board member for United Community Bank and active in the fight to find a cure for type 1 diabetes. She is a member of the American Nurses Association and the American College of Healthcare Executives. She earned her Bachelor of Science, Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees from East Carolina University in Greenville, North Carolina.

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Wellstar Breaks Ground on Cancer Care Facility in Spalding County

(GRIFFIN, Ga.) – Excitement was in the air Tuesday as Wellstar began another expansion project, this time starting construction on a new cancer treatment center for the people who live in and around Spalding County.

Construction of the Wellstar Spalding Cancer Center comes after the healthcare system opened new primary care and neurology clinics in 2024 and previously opened or expanded clinics for cardiology, orthopedics, and gastroenterology.

The $6 million facility will provide outpatient care for cancer patients in partnership with Northwest Georgia Oncology Centers. Services will include the latest targeted therapies, immunotherapy, and chemotherapy to fight various types of cancer. The center will accommodate outpatient infusion and support services. And to avoid treatment delays, the facility will also include an on-site compound pharmacy with a dedicated clinical pharmacist.

Kevin Smith, president of Wellstar Spalding Medical Center, joined city and county leaders and other Wellstar Health System executives for the ceremonial groundbreaking on Griffin’s hospital campus.

“Wellstar is dedicated to providing comprehensive, compassionate care close to home,” Smith said. “Our oncology nurse navigators are registered nurses specially trained in cancer care who bring a highly personalized level of guidance to each patient and their family. Together, our team works alongside our patients to build the right care plan for them and offer support at every step of their cancer care journey.”

“This investment in the future of Wellstar Spalding allows people to face cancer with confidence,” said Candice L. Saunders, Wellstar’s president and CEO. “The new facility will provide them access to advanced cancer treatments and infusion therapy in their own community.”

Scheduled to open this winter, the 6,500-square-foot addition will double Wellstar’s ability to serve cancer patients in Spalding County and the surrounding areas while ensuring every person receives the high-quality cancer care they deserve. The facility, which will be built by Parrish Construction, will include eight patient exam rooms, 14 infusion bays, and a dedicated lab.

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Stephen, a Wellstar Kennestone Level I Trauma Center patient, pictured with his daughter, Hannah.

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Stephen Nowlin became unexpectedly paralyzed one day when preparing for a Fourth of July celebration with friends. A flight EMS team was called to transport him when the flight nurse on call, Hannah Carr, recognized the address of the accident—her childhood home. She flew her father to Wellstar Kennestone Regional Medical Center, a Level I Trauma Center, where he could have the fastest, most comprehensive trauma response—and a chance at full recovery.

When routine yard work went wrong

Preparing for his annual Fourth of July party, Stephen mowed his 13-acre property in Waco, Georgia. The routine chore took a terrifying turn when his mower flipped. Trapped underneath, he realized he was paralyzed. His friend soon discovered him lying there and called 911.

Meanwhile, Stephen’s daughter, Hannah, was working that day as a flight nurse for a local air ambulance company. When the call came in about a 60-year-old man in a tractor accident, paralyzed, at her parents' address, she instantly knew who it was. Hannah and her air ambulance service partner were on their way.

In good hands: first responders act fast

The local fire department and EMS arrived quickly, carefully removing the mower without moving Stephen. They transported him to a nearby landing zone where Hannah and her flight partner waited. As Stephen was loaded onto the helicopter, he told his daughter, “I just hope they can fix me.”

Hannah and her partner did a thorough, head-to-toe assessment for life-threatening injuries.

“I knew I was in good hands,” Stephen said. “She's going to take care of me better than anybody else would.”

On the flight to Wellstar Kennestone Regional Medical Center, a Level I Trauma Center, Hannah communicated with the hospital ahead of arrival. In emergency situations, it’s important the team is assembled and ready to perform care as fast as possible. Because of their collaboration, not a minute was wasted.

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CITA Partnership Blossoms for Wellstar with 12 New Employees

This article was originally published by Cobb County Schools April 18, 2025.

The historic and unique $2 million partnership between the Cobb Innovation and Technology Academy (CITA) and Wellstar Health System has flourished with twelve new employees for the healthcare company. A signing day celebrating the dozen students as trailblazers in a bold new initiative was held at CITA earlier this week. The soon-to-be Cobb graduates will quickly transition to being Wellstar employees in June and begin working directly in the healthcare industry.

"They're not just getting a high school diploma, they're getting industry certifications along with it," said Wellstar Director of Talent Acquisition Tuqwan Jordan. "We make sure that they are employed, that they are employable, and that they have the necessary skills. We want them to continue to develop in their education and reach their career goals. We are extremely proud of them."

"If you choose us, we choose you right back," agreed Evelyn Rosenthal, Wellstar assistant vice president of leader and employee development. "If you believe that you can reach the stars, Wellstar will bring the ladder to help you climb and get up there. We're going to support you and make Wellstar a career destination, meaning you start today and just stay with us until you retire."

Rosenthal stressed that this support went all the way to the top at Wellstar, including retiring President and CEO Candice L. Saunders. It is most fitting that the inaugural class of interns—now employees—enter the company as Saunders is exiting. She was behind the CITA partnership from day one, being a role model herself of what's possible at Wellstar. Saunders was a former nurse who worked her way up through leadership positions to become CEO in 2015.

Some students signed job offers for Wellstar Cobb Medical Center, while others signed with Wellstar Kennestone Regional Medical Center. Some are pursuing nursing, some physical therapy, some emergency and triage, but all will benefit from Wellstar's decades of experience as a proven healthcare leader.

"The exposure to the industry that comes from this partnership is second to none," said CITA Director Dr. Tiffany Barney. "Wellstar has been a phenomenal partner for us. These students were so well-prepared that Wellstar said they felt comfortable hiring them on the spot after their interviews. That's a testament to our outstanding healthcare pathway teaching team at CITA.

"That endorsement of the CITA staff didn't stop with Dr. Barney. Joe Muturi, one of the students heading to Wellstar Cobb in June, also praised the technology academy and his experience there."

If I could scream at the top of the tallest mountain that you should join CITA, I would. I've gotten so many opportunities here as well as a bunch of certifications. Because of CITA and Wellstar, I am prepared to be the healthcare professional I always wanted to be!" Joe said with a smile.

Joe's classmate, Maritza Pacheco, will be heading to Wellstar Kennestone after graduation and was equally enthusiastic. "These weren't just experiences for a resume. They were moments that transformed how I see myself and my future," she said thoughtfully.

"One of the most stirring moments in my journey was using my bilingual abilities to translate for patients," Maritza continued. "That moment of connection when fear melts into understanding in a patient's eyes is a feeling I carry in my heart every day. This journey has given me something priceless: the certainty that I belong here."

Other Wellstar patients were equally impressed with the CITA students. Health Science teacher Sheri Drake described a few of the comments she received from both mentors and patients. "They said, 'Your students are so professional. Your students have the ability to communicate better than any other students we've seen. Your students have so much compassion and empathy for our patients." Drake revealed that some patients even went so far as to send thank-you notes to the school for the students' professional demeanor and attitude.

"This past year has been an amazing partnership, and I am so proud of each and every one of them," she concluded with emotion and joy in her voice about the inaugural class of Wellstar signees.

Congratulations to the following CITA students for signing with Wellstar Health System: Jossie Aguilar, Anahi Blanco, Christian Crane, Jose Guevara, Eden Iyare, Momodou Jallow, Monika Meneses, Joe Muturi, Ximena Paniagua, Aaliyah Reeves, Maritza Rojas and Jacqueline Vazquez.

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