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Article Category: Newsroom

Wellstar Delivers PeopleCare to our Communities

Published on February 28, 2025

Last updated 01:53 PM February 28, 2025

Photo of team with balloons reading "100K"

Wellstar is committed to enhancing the health and well-being of every person we serve, every time. While our clinical teams provide expert care at our facilities, our community outreach teams meet our neighbors where they are—in the communities where we live and work. 

Wellstar Community Health and Wellstar Center for Health Equity (WCHE) bring PeopleCare everywhere, and the teams have now reached the impressive milestone of over 100,000 engagements with local households to help meet their health needs. WCHE, established in 2019, addresses social determinants of health. These are factors that affect someone’s well-being, such as access to food, housing and transportation. 

“This work is driven by Wellstar team members who see beyond Wellstar’s walls,” said Elise Lockamy-Kassim, Wellstar assistant vice president for community health and WCHE.

A patient’s ZIP code, or the area where they live, is the top determinant of their health outcomes, according to Dr. Earl Stewart, Wellstar primary care physician and the health system’s medical director of health equity.

“Do people have access to affordable healthy food options, or in their ZIP code, is it only fast food? Do they have green space where they can walk and exercise? Do they have reasonable access to sustainable employment?” Dr. Stewart said. “In their ZIP code, are we dealing with environmental justice issues where there may be a fossil fuel burning power plant just down the street and there's contamination in their water or food supply?”

WCHE works to ensure everyone can live to their fullest potential and access the care they need, no matter where they’re located.

Mobilizing to meet community needs

Shortly after the inception of WCHE, the team faced the challenge of the COVID-19 pandemic. By leveraging relationships with internal partners at Wellstar as well as external community organizations, the team expanded access to vital care and health information. 

Programs included walk-up COVID-19 family testing and vaccination, distribution of masks and safety kits to at-risk communities, and dissemination of Spanish-language educational information. Teams administered more than 10,000 COVID-19 vaccines. 

Through the Wellstar Congregational Health Network—our partnership with local faith communities—Wellstar made testing, vaccines and accurate health information more accessible to the people we serve by hosting events at places of worship and virtual town halls in collaboration with faith communities.

WCHE has continued partnerships with communities of worship to expand access to behavioral health resources. Wellstar’s Soul Support program, which also uses the Congregational Health Network, provides congregations with behavioral health education and resources like the Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) suicide prevention workshop. This workshop trains congregation leaders and members to recognize signs of suicide and navigate mental health emergencies. Soul Support has trained more than 500 people to respond to mental health concerns. 

Addressing food insecurity

Food insecurity and poor nutrition may lead to a higher risk of developing chronic diseases like obesity, hypertension and diabetes. To address this inequity, WCHE has several initiatives to expand access to healthy foods.

“You can tell a patient, 'You have to do better with your diabetes and eat healthy,' but if they don't have access to affordable healthy food options, they're going to get what they can afford,” Dr. Stewart said.

Wellstar Mobile Markets, in partnership with Goodr, bring fresh produce, meat, shelf-stable items, milk and other beverages to partner sites in the communities Wellstar serves. At the mobile markets, a benefit specialist from Wholesome Wave Georgia, another nonprofit increasing access to healthy foods, helps connect families with additional resources.

The Food as Medicine program, a collaboration with Feeding the Valley Food Bank, is another program combating food insecurity. Primary care patients in the LaGrange area are screened for food insecurity concerns, then if needed, connected with a meal program tailored to their health needs. Participants receive 10 healthy, prepared meals each week for 90 days. They also gain access to Cooking Matters classes held at Wellstar West Georgia’s Enoch Callaway Cancer Center, where they can learn to shop for and cook healthy meals on a budget.

Connecting people with care

While Wellstar provides comprehensive care at its own facilities, we also know the power in partnership. By teaming with other community clinics and nonprofits, we can have a greater impact and reach more people across our service area. Partner clinics within the Wellstar Community Clinic Network receive a variety of benefits from Wellstar partnership, including resource advocacy, reduced-cost lab and imaging services for patients, and community benefit programs.

“We aim to connect individuals—whether they’re insured or not—with a trusted healthcare provider, which may be a community clinic that is in partnership with Wellstar,” Lockamy-Kassim said.

WCHE is also expanding access to telehealth services so people can get care wherever they are. A partnership between Wellstar, Family Life Restoration Center in Mableton and Giving Health, a Georgia-based telemedicine provider, provides 24/7 access to primary care clinicians and mental health counselors. Over one year as a participant in Wellstar’s Community Transformation Program, Giving Health enrolled over 600 new patients, conducted over 850 telehealth visits and addressed over 250 social determinants of health needs through referrals. More than 450 patients reported accessing care they would have simply gone without had a telehealth option not been available.  

WCHE has also facilitated more than 2,500 community-based cancer screenings. One example of these efforts is the ColoCare Connect Program, which aims to improve access to colorectal cancer education and screenings by providing fecal immunochemical tests to community clinics serving high-risk populations.

Through additional partnerships with Wellstar Cancer Care and Wellstar Gastroenterology, WCHE also presented the Nourish to Flourish series to further educate community members about screenings. Participants walked away with educational resources, fresh groceries and a slow cooker to promote healthy eating habits at home.

Serving as a national model

Live to the Beat. Powered by Wellstar. is an initiative of WCHE and Wellstar’s cardiovascular care team, in collaboration with the American Heart Association, the CDC Foundation and Million Hearts. Participants meet monthly with a Wellstar Community Health team member to have their blood pressure checked and discuss ways to keep their heart healthy, such as proper nutrition, exercise and caring for mental health.

Wellstar’s partners in the initiative are now looking at ways to bring the program to other communities nationwide to expand access to heart care and education.

“We want WCHE to be not only a beacon for health equity done right in the areas Wellstar serves in the state of Georgia,” Lockamy-Kassim said. “We want our work to be modeled across the U.S. as a way to ensure all people have access to the care they need to live their best life.”

How to get involved or find help

If your organization or congregation is interested in partnering with Wellstar Community Health or WCHE, email [email protected] or [email protected]. 

To get connected with no-cost or low-cost resources, including food, housing and transit needs, visit wellstar.findhelp.com. 

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Playing it Safe Ahead of the 4th of July Holiday

As we look forward to the Fourth of July holiday, fireworks, swimming, and grilling offer plenty of fun summer activities for families across Georgia. However, it's important to be cautious with fireworks, which can quickly turn your Independence Day celebrations sour.

While public fireworks displays have safety measures in place, fireworks at home may be less safe, especially for kids. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, an estimated 14,700 people were injured by fireworks in 2024, with burns accounting for 37% of all emergency room visits.

Dr. Joanna Dolgoff, a Wellstar pediatrician and representative for the American Academy of Pediatrics, warns that the most common injury from fireworks is a hand burn.

“But it can be worse, such as a hand fracture, cuts or even the loss of a finger,” she said. “Facial injuries, including burns and eye injuries, are also common. If you're going to handle fireworks, please be very careful.”

Dr. Earl Stewart Jr., an internal medicine physician and medical director of health equity with Wellstar Health System, has seen many times how climate and extreme weather can impact health. He reminds families that summer celebrations can bring a range of seasonal health risks.

“We often see more water-related injuries this time of year, such as drownings, boating accidents, and even head or spine injuries from diving into shallow water,” he said. “And with Georgia’s extreme heat, it’s important to plan ahead to avoid heat exhaustion, heat stroke and sunburns. Even surfaces like metal components of playground equipment and seat belts can cause burns after they’ve been exposed to the sun for long periods.”

Dr. Stewart also noted the importance of being mindful of summer pests and plants.

“Insect bites, allergic reactions, poison ivy, bee stings and even snake bites can quickly turn a fun day outdoors into a medical emergency. Vigilance and preparation equate to staying safe and alive,” he said.

As for sparklers, Dr. Dolgoff cautions parents not to underestimate their danger.

“Sparklers burn at about 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit—hot enough to melt some metals. They account for a high percentage of injuries, emergency room visits, and fires every year. The sparks can cause burns and eye injuries.”

She also recommends soaking used sparklers in a bucket of water before discarding them.

If your family plans to participate in Fourth of July activities, remember the word FIRE with these essential safety tips:

  • Families: Never hold a lit firework in your hand or point it at another person. Children should never handle fireworks, including sparklers.
  • Injury: Only light fireworks outdoors, away from people, homes and flammable materials. Wear protective eyewear to prevent eye injuries.
  • Run Away: Move away quickly after lighting a firework. Don’t light more than one at a time and never try to re-light a dud.
  • Extinguish: Keep a bucket of water nearby to douse fireworks that don’t go off or cause a mishap. Soak both used and unused fireworks before discarding.
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Demolition Marks a New Beginning in the Heart of Atlanta

ATLANTA, GA (June 30, 2025) — Today, leaders from across the city gathered in the Old Fourth Ward to mark the beginning of a long-anticipated transformation. The ceremonial demolition at the northwest corner of the former Atlanta Medical Center site signaled the launch of BLVDNEXT, a major redevelopment that will reconnect neighborhoods and restore opportunity in the city’s core.

Spearheaded by The Integral Group, in partnership with Wellstar Health System and the City of Atlanta, BLVDNEXT represents one of the most significant private investments in the area in decades. The 22-acre site will become a mixed-use community designed for long-term value and neighborhood inclusion. Plans include a mix of housing options – both for sale and for rent – green spaces, retail, health and wellness, and amenities that serve the community and invite people in.

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“Atlanta is always growing and always changing. This redevelopment project is grounded in the values we share as a city: inclusiveness, opportunity, and respect,” said Doug Shipman, president of the Atlanta City Council. “The Integral Group and Wellstar are following through on the City’s work to determine how this site can best meet the community’s needs for future generations – affordable housing, restaurants and retail, and health and wellness. I’m looking forward to seeing this vision come to life.”

“This project is about more than the physical structures, it’s about building on the history of this place to create a future where community, connection, and opportunity thrive,” said Candice L. Saunders, President and CEO, Wellstar Health System. “Today, we want to recognize all the people who have made this a special place and who are working toward its vibrant future.”

Located between Ralph McGill Boulevard and Highland Avenue, the site lies at a pivotal point between Midtown and Downtown. Its redevelopment offers a rare opportunity to mend the urban fabric and create new connections that benefit the surrounding communities.

“BLVDNEXT represents the kind of work that cities need more of – development that begins by listening, is shaped by purpose, and delivers long-term value,” said Egbert L. J. Perry, Chairman and CEO of The Integral Group. “The project is about reconnecting a vital part of Atlanta and doing it in a way that respects both its history and its potential. For us at Integral, this is a responsibility – and an opportunity – to get it right.”

Work is already underway to develop a detailed implementation plan that builds upon the City’s prior planning and reflects the voices of residents. Redevelopment at this scale, in this location, doesn’t happen often. The property’s redevelopment is being guided by a land-use plan that had extensive community input and was approved unanimously by the Atlanta City Council with support from Mayor Andre Dickens.

Today is about making the most of that opportunity – with care, with clarity, and with a commitment to doing it right.

About BLVDNEXT

To ensure the public remains informed and engaged, the development team has launched www.BLVDNEXT.com, a dedicated website providing regular updates on project milestones, community stories, and opportunities for public feedback. The site serves as a central hub for media and residents alike, offering access to visuals, background materials, and the evolving vision for the site. It reflects the project’s commitment to transparency and to keeping community voices front and center throughout every phase of redevelopment.

About The Integral Group

The Integral Group is a 300-person company founded in 1993. Today the company has developments and investments in more than 18 U.S. cities. The Integral Group’s portfolio includes master planned, mixed use developments, as well as affordable, workforce and class “A” multi-family housing. The company’s portfolio ranges as far west as San Francisco and as far east as Baltimore, Maryland. For more information, please visit www.integral-online.com.

About Wellstar Health System

Wellstar personalizes the patient experience. We call it PeopleCare and it's only possible thanks to our 33,000 team members who provide compassionate care for every stage of life. PeopleCare also means we serve our communities as a non-profit health system, providing more than $1 billion annually in charity care and other community benefits, and operating the largest integrated trauma network in the State of Georgia. We embrace innovation and technology, nurture early-stage companies through our venture firm Catalyst by Wellstar, and train future generations of caregivers with academic institutions including the Medical College of Georgia. Wellstar honors every voice, earning Newsweek's recognition as one of America’s Greatest Workplaces for Diversity, and one of Fortune's 100 Best Companies to Work For. To learn more, visit Wellstar.org.

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Powering Progress: Key Insights from Wellstar's Community Transformation Program

We are excited to share the results of an insightful evaluation of Wellstar’s Community Transformation Program (CTP), completed by our partner, WE Public Health. This evaluation marks an important milestone as we continue to drive meaningful community-level change through the work of the Wellstar Center for Health Equity (WCHE) and our dedicated grantees.

Each year, CTP invites local organizations in Metro Atlanta to request support for a new or existing tech-based initiative that addresses health disparities in our communities. Nineteen organizations have received grants through the program, including eight in the most recent group. To measure the impact of this program and study how Wellstar’s support has helped these organizations further their reach, we partnered with WE Public Health for an evaluation of CTP.

About WE Public Health

WE Public Health is a consulting firm focused on advancing health equity through strategic partnerships, capacity building and community engagement. Their work empowers organizations and communities to address health and social challenges with a specific focus on justice and equity.

Why Wellstar chose WE Public Health

WCHE partnered with WE Public Health to develop a comprehensive monitoring and evaluation strategy because we recognized the importance of a thorough evaluation to help understand the impact and sustainability of our CTP. The evaluation reviewed the first three groups of Community Transformation Program (CTP) grantees (2020 to 2023) to assess how effectively they improved access to medical care and social services through technology. Findings guide program improvements, support communication with stakeholders and help achieve industry recognition. 

Key evaluation domains included:
  • Program reach (partners served, demographics and counties)
  • Financial investment (technology and total funding)
  • Improved access to care and support services
  • Program sustainability post-grant
  • Impact on clients and grantee organizations
  • Uniqueness of Wellstar’s investment
  • Social return on investment

Key evaluation findings and impact

Health equity and social determinants of health

The evaluation highlighted the alignment of the CTP with Wellstar’s commitment to addressing social determinants of health, or factors that can affect a person’s well-being, including access to food, housing and transportation. Our CTP focused on six key areas identified through Wellstar's 2019 Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA). WCHE launched the CTP in response to a technology equity gap identified in the assessment. The program addresses the need to improve access to medical care and social support services for vulnerable, marginalized and underserved communities.

Impressive cost avoidance and health outcomes

The evaluation also demonstrated that CTP grantees are having a significant impact on health outcomes. While the estimated reach from our program’s services exceeds 13,000 people, of those nearly 2,250 people benefited specifically from either mental and/or physical health interventions. The estimated cost avoidance from emergency department visits for these patients ranged from $225,000 to over $1 million. This not only underscores the financial impact of the program, but also reflects its success in preventing the need for emergency care.

Sustained use of technology solutions

A key aspect of the CTP was its emphasis on integrating technology solutions to enhance health services. According to the evaluation, six out of seven grantee organizations interviewed reported continuing use of the technology solutions funded through the CTP, indicating strong buy-in and long-term benefits. These positive findings reflect the success of the program in providing grantees with the resources and support to test and scale innovative solutions in a low-risk environment.

Positive experiences and strong partnerships

Grantees and partners reported positive experiences working with Wellstar team members, highlighting our emphasis on collaboration, capacity building and fostering strong relationships. The evaluation emphasized the effectiveness of Wellstar's supportive approach, which allowed grantees to explore new solutions while minimizing risks.

Guiding our growth

One of the most valuable outcomes of this evaluation was the expert guidance provided on how to strengthen and scale the program. WE Public Health offered strategic recommendations focused on deepening community partnerships, supporting long-term sustainability and enhancing evaluation practices. These insights will serve as a roadmap as we continue refining the CTP to maximize impact and equity. 

Why this matters

The findings from this evaluation affirm the transformative impact the CTP has had on both the health outcomes of individuals and the broader community. By fostering partnerships, addressing key social determinants of health and investing in sustainable technology solutions, the CTP is helping to create lasting change in the communities we serve.

As we continue to work with WE Public Health, we are excited to build upon these results and expand our efforts to address health inequities across Georgia. The partnership between Wellstar, WE Public Health and our grantees continues to serve as a model for how community-driven programs can drive sustainable improvements in health and well-being.

Learn more about WCHE. 

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