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Wellstar Health System Partnership Provides Maternal Health Resources, Supports New Mothers

Wellstar Center for Health Equity and Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition of Georgia to distribute care packages across Georgia

Published on February 03, 2022

Last updated 08:55 AM February 03, 2022

Wellstar Health System has partnered with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition of Georgia (HMHBGA) to provide maternal health resources in support of new mothers and birth givers in Georgia. Through Wellstar Community Health and the Wellstar Center for Health Equity, the partnership supports pregnant and postpartum birth givers and encourages positive maternal health and wellness by providing vital resources and education.

According to the 2019 HMHBGA State of the State Report, 58 percent of pregnancy-related deaths in Georgia were preventable. Wellstar’s participation expands HMHBGA’s Pickles & Ice Cream perinatal care package project created to help address pregnancy mortality. Started in 2021, the Pickles & Ice Cream program through Wellstar plans to reach 150 birth givers a month.

The free care packages will include:

A blood pressure monitoring system
Breastfeeding book and journal
Thermometer and probe cover
Breastfeeding storage bags
Compression stockings

Alongside these vital tools, educational information will include topics such as postpartum care planning and safe sleeping. As one of the key partners in this initiative, Wellstar will also distribute COVID-19 safety kits, including cloth masks, hand sanitizers, and informational materials to new mothers.

HMHBGA has impacted the health and well-being of women, children, and families for the past 48 years by supporting the community through direct services, advocacy, and community education.

The Wellstar Center for Health Equity is an extension of Wellstar’s long history of community engagement and allyship to provide people-centric care, and was formed to convene, activate, and support community partners and advocates to address, impact, and drive lasting change at a grassroots level.

Pregnant or postpartum moms, birth givers and organizations serving pregnant women may request a care package. For more information, please visit this link.

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Wellstar Columbia County Medical Center Expected to Open in Late August

Wellstar Columbia County Medical Center is nearing completion and is scheduled to open Aug. 26. The six-story, 100-bed hospital is located at 5000 Gateway Blvd. in Grovetown.

“It’s phenomenal to get to this level of substantial completion with construction because it means we’re that much closer to increasing access to care across the Central Savannah River Area (CSRA),” said Ralph Turner, president of Wellstar MCG Health Medical Center.

The new medical center expands healthcare services already offered in Augusta for more rural counties like McDuffie and provides additional learning opportunities for students at the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University. Students will train using the latest technologies in healthcare.

“This is 12 years of a dream that began with a commitment to better serve this community,” said Augusta University President Russell Keen. “What’s being built here is an investment in the CSRA as well as an important part of strengthening the healthcare workforce across Georgia through Wellstar MCG Health, Augusta University and the Medical College of Georgia.”

Wellstar Columbia County will feature new technologies that improve the way healthcare is delivered. While the hospital will have dedicated intensive care unit (ICU) rooms, every patient room is acuity adaptable and can function as an ICU room, with minimal investment, if the need arises.

Patient rooms will also include cameras, enabling patients to access telehealth visits with specialists or family members.

“That is the pivotal piece of the telehealth technology at a community hospital. We’ll be able to digitally connect specialty providers at Wellstar MCG Health in downtown Augusta with patients and their care team in Columbia County without having to be in the building,” said Tammy Moore, chief nursing officer of Wellstar Columbia County.

A digital whiteboard will display the patient’s name and medical history, allowing greater visibility between patients and their care teams. It will also help ensure care teams have the most up-to-date medical information when making diagnoses or medical decisions at the bedside.

In addition, the hospital was built with larger windows to incorporate more natural light, which has been proven to have a positive effect on patients’ overall well-being.

A 92,000-square-foot Medical Office Building—adjacent to the hospital and featuring 11 outpatient clinics—remains under construction and is scheduled to open later this fall.

Wellstar Columbia County Medical Center Expected to Open in Late August

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Healthcare provider listens to her pregnant patient's stomach area using a stethoscope

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Wellstar Cobb Medical Center Supports Women and Families With Comprehensive Maternal Care

Whether you’re planning to grow your family, expecting a baby or navigating the early days of parenthood, Wellstar Cobb Medical Center supports women and families across Cobb County with expert, compassionate maternal care.

The Women’s Center at Wellstar Cobb is a Level III Maternal Care Center designated by The Joint Commission and the Georgia Department of Public Health. Families have access to comprehensive services including OB/GYN care, maternal-fetal medicine, labor and delivery, a dedicated Obstetric Emergency Department and a Level III neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) for premature and critically ill newborns. The Women’s Center also features recently refreshed spaces designed to enhance comfort and privacy, elevating the patient experience.

By combining advanced technology, family-centered care and personalized support, Wellstar Cobb is committed to helping mothers and babies thrive.

OB/GYN care

The OB/GYNs at Wellstar Cobb provide personalized care for women through every stage of life. Our team offers a range of maternal services, including:

Family planning and sexual health
Prenatal care and delivery
High-risk pregnancy care
Postpartum care and support
Infertility evaluation and treatment

Beyond pregnancy and postpartum care, OB/GYNs also support women’s long-term health through preventive screenings, gynecologic care, menopause care and wellness services tailored to individual needs.

Maternal-fetal medicine

Maternal-fetal medicine specialists care for women experiencing high-risk pregnancies. These experts work closely with OB/GYNs to monitor both mother and baby, helping families navigate complex conditions with clarity and confidence.

At Wellstar Cobb, our maternal-fetal medicine team treats women with high-risk factors such as heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, infectious diseases and multiple births. Specialists also use advanced imaging, genetic screening and fetal monitoring to help identify and manage complications as early as possible.

Labor and delivery

Wellstar Cobb offers maternity services designed to help mothers and babies stay safe and comfortable throughout labor, delivery and recovery. Because every birth experience is different, care teams prioritize shared decision-making and support birth plans that include midwives and doulas.

Labor and delivery teams work closely with NICU specialists whenever advanced support or monitoring is needed. The onsite Level III NICU allows newborn specialists to provide immediate care for mothers and babies.

“Our team is equipped to care for both routine and high-risk deliveries, including babies born as early as 22 weeks,” said Megan Kemp, NICU nurse manager at Wellstar Cobb.

Families can expect private, comfortable rooms designed to encourage bonding and recovery after delivery. Wellstar Cobb’s compassionate, family-centered approach promotes skin-to-skin contact and helps minimize separation between parents and babies whenever possible.

Lactation consultants and specially trained nurses offer breastfeeding guidance throughout the hospital stay.

Obstetric Emergency Department

The Obstetric Emergency Department at Wellstar Cobb provides 24/7 specialized care for patients who are 20 weeks pregnant through six weeks postpartum. Patients are evaluated directly by board-certified obstetric providers, who work closely with maternal-fetal medicine experts, anesthesiologists, neonatologists, nurses and midwives to deliver coordinated care.

Services include rapid diagnosis and treatment for urgent pregnancy concerns, fetal monitoring and ultrasound, and care for pregnancy-related or postpartum complications. Specialists also provide emotional guidance and resources for families, including support during high-risk pregnancies or loss.

“Pregnancy can bring moments of uncertainty and having immediate access to obstetric experts can make all the difference,” said Dr. Jessica Williams, OB/GYN medical director at Wellstar Cobb. “The Obstetric Emergency Department allows us to respond quickly, provide clarity and help families feel supported from the moment they walk through the door.”

NICU

Wellstar Cobb is home to a Level III NICU providing advanced care for premature and medically complex newborns. The care team includes neonatologists, neonatal nurses and respiratory therapists specially trained to care for critically ill newborns.

“Having a Level III NICU in Cobb County means families can access advanced neonatal care close to home during some of the most critical moments of their lives,” Kemp said. “This allows families to stay near their support systems while their baby receives specialized care.”

Recent NICU updates reflect Wellstar Cobb’s commitment to high-quality care for mothers, babies and families across Cobb County. Designed to create a bright and welcoming environment, the renovated space helps families feel more comfortable and connected during a challenging time. Parents have access to 24-hour camera streaming so they can securely check in on their baby remotely.

Lactation services and breastfeeding education are available in the NICU and across the Women’s Center. The hospital also supports a milk depot program that helps provide donor milk for premature and medically fragile infants in the NICU.

Throughout the NICU stay, care teams partner with parents in their baby’s care. “Our team encourages bonding through skin-to-skin care, breastfeeding support and involvement in the baby’s care whenever possible,” Kemp said. “We want every mother to feel informed, supported and connected throughout her journey.”

Resources and support

Wellstar Cobb offers educational resources and programs for patients before, during and after pregnancy.

My Pregnancy Journey includes trimester-specific guidance on topics such as physical and emotional changes, nutrition, wellness and medication safety. Women and families can also connect with classes on childbirth, breastfeeding and newborn care, along with mental health and parenting resources.

“Many families are surprised to learn that they can access such advanced neonatal and maternal care close to home at Wellstar Cobb,” Kemp said. “From specialized NICU care to lactation and family support resources, our goal is to care for the entire family every step of the way.”

Learn more about maternal care services at Wellstar Cobb.

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Highlights

Genetic Testing: A Critical Tool in Cancer Treatment

It's been over three decades since genetic testing was first introduced as a tool for patients at risk of hereditary cancer syndromes. In its early days, genetic testing was expensive and time-consuming (often taking up to eight weeks for results). Fast forward to today and genetic testing is now a routine part of cancer care. It’s more accessible, comprehensive and, perhaps most importantly, significantly impactful for patients and their families.

Physicians help identify patients who could benefit from genetic testing, especially when someone has a personal or family history of cancer. Genetic testing can improve treatment outcomes, guide preventive care and provide vital information for the patient's family.

Benefits of genetic testing

1. Understanding the cause of cancer

One of the most common questions from patients newly diagnosed with cancer is, "Why did this happen to me?" While many cancers are the result of environmental factors, aging and sporadic mutations, genetic testing can offer a more definitive answer. For patients with hereditary cancer, knowing their cancer is genetically driven can help ease feelings of uncertainty and guilt.

For many, this knowledge brings a sense of empowerment, as they now have the opportunity to make informed decisions regarding their treatment and potential preventive measures for the future. This hereditary cancer risk was present since birth, and there was very little if anything the patient could have done differently throughout their life to prevent their diagnosis.

2. Personalized treatment options

For patients with cancers like breast, ovarian, pancreatic and prostate, identifying genetic mutations (like BRCA mutations) can open the door to personalized therapies. The earlier in the diagnostic process the genetic test is ordered, the quicker the patient can be matched with appropriate treatments.

Knowledge of genetic mutations can also guide surgical decisions. Patients with BRCA-positive breast cancer may be candidates for risk-reducing mastectomy or salpingo-oophorectomy—both of which can lower the risk of future cancers. These decisions are most effective when genetic results are available before surgery.

3. Identification of additional cancer risks

Cancer does not always occur in isolation, especially in patients with hereditary cancer syndromes. For instance, patients with Lynch syndrome, a leading cause of colorectal cancer, are also at increased risk for uterine cancer—up to 60%. If identified before a colon resection, this knowledge could allow a hysterectomy at the same time if necessary, minimizing the risk of a second cancer and optimizing care.

Beyond immediate cancer treatment, genetic testing can also lead to additional screenings that might otherwise be missed. For example, the ATM gene is a known contributor to prostate and breast cancer. But patients with an ATM gene mutation are also at elevated risk for pancreatic cancer. While general population screening is not typically recommended, high-risk patients should begin annual imaging and/or endoscopic ultrasounds as early as age 50 or 10 years before the earliest known pancreatic cancer in their family.

4. Informed decisions for family members

A cancer diagnosis doesn’t only affect the patient—it impacts their entire family. Once a genetic mutation is identified, relatives can undergo testing to assess their own cancer risk and talk to their care teams about screenings.

Testing the affected patient first is the most informative strategy for relatives. Patients with negative genetic test results can be reassured that relatives are not at significant risk for the same diagnosis.

The role of genetic counseling in cancer care

Genetic counselors provide the expertise necessary to interpret complex genetic results, discuss the implications for patients and their families, and offer psychological support throughout the process. Genetic counseling not only helps patients make sense of their genetic test results, but also provides them with the tools to make informed decisions about their health.

Counseling also helps address the emotional and psychological aspects of genetic testing, from potential feelings of anxiety to guilt and even empowerment. Research shows that genetic counseling has a positive impact on patient knowledge, reduces anxiety and can improve overall psychological well-being during a cancer journey.

Learn more about genetic counseling at Wellstar.

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