For the first time, Wellstar Douglas Medical Center has earned the prestigious Georgia Oglethorpe Award, the highest level of recognition for organizational performance excellence in the state.
Each year, the Sterling Council presents the award to organizations and businesses that demonstrate performance excellence in their management and operations. Wellstar Douglas is the first business in Douglas County to receive the award.
Founded in 1974, the hospital recently celebrated its 50th year in the community. The non-profit 108-bed community hospital in Douglasville delivers an extensive array of inpatient and outpatient services, including interventional cardiology, maternity care with a level II neonatal intensive care unit, hyperbaric wound care, rehabilitation therapy and robotic surgery, including total joint orthopedics.
Wellstar Douglas President Heath King said hospital leaders use tiered safety huddles, visual management boards, department-based huddles and "A3 Thinking," a problem-solving and decision-making methodology that helps teams identify the root causes of problems and develop solutions that promote a high-reliability organization.
"These leadership methods have created a strong system of two-way communication that links our hospital's senior-most leaders with frontline team members," King said. "We're thrilled that the Sterling Council recognizes our approach for achieving industry-leading financial, quality, marketplace, consumer engagement and workforce results."
