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

Busloads of Columbia County high school students funneled through a purple and blue balloon archway into their future on Jan. 23. The 2026 Opportunity Summit was held at Columbia County School District’s Support Complex to showcase career opportunities and benefits available at Wellstar to students who will be looking for jobs in healthcare after graduation.

Juniors and seniors spoke with Wellstar and Wellstar MCG Health Medical Center leadership about careers in both direct patient care and the many fields that support it. With the opening of the new Wellstar Columbia County Medical Center this fall, Wellstar has many open roles in Grovetown as well as its Augusta hospital and clinics. Students could also explore open careers in any of Wellstar’s 11 hospitals.

Students also had the opportunity to learn about employee benefits Wellstar offers, such as free tuition for some critical fields. For Bella Weeks, a junior at Greenbrier High School, that’s a major draw. Weeks knew she wanted to become a nurse after an accident landed her mom in the intensive care unit. The nursing team patiently answered her questions and let her help care for her mom, changing bandages and assisting with her mom’s physical therapy. She knew she wanted to do that for others after graduating high school.

Working at Wellstar would allow Weeks to attend nursing school at Augusta University for free, meaning she could earn a degree without accruing student debt while building her career near her family. She said she appreciated the Opportunity Summit because it gave her a chance to ask questions and learn more about programs not only at Wellstar, but also at local colleges such as Augusta University and Augusta Technical College, which were also in attendance.

“I think it’s very important to hire people, start them young and help them walk into it. It’s really scary going to the healthcare world and just walking into it. Having a little bit of knowledge beforehand really helps,” Weeks said.

Brooks Smith, the director of career and college readiness for Columbia County Schools, said partnerships like the one with Wellstar enable the school system to offer students resources to begin their careers. They also benefit the community by encouraging students to stay in the area and helping them find jobs with local businesses. Those businesses, in turn, benefit from a pipeline to grow their workforce.

“(Partnerships) are really beneficial for our students because basically we’re handing them off to their next steps. For these students today who are obviously interested in a career in healthcare, it’s a logical opportunity for us to provide for these students. We’re certainly very thankful that Wellstar has been willing to really initiate some of these partnerships that we now have,” Smith said.

Evelyn Rosenthal, Wellstar vice president and chief learning officer, wanted students to leave knowing that Wellstar eagerly wants to hire them. She said many of today’s graduating seniors have certifications the health system is looking for, such as certified medical assistants, maintenance and HVAC credentials, and valuable hands-on experience.

“They’re coming out of school with the education and certifications that we need to employ them immediately,” she said. “Bottom line: Every student who comes in here today who wants a job, we’re committed to giving them one.”

On January 15, 2026, Wellstar Health System marked Martin Luther King Jr. Day through a powerful systemwide streaming event, viewed across hospitals, health parks, practices and offices via in-person watch parties and virtual access. Thousands of team members paused together to reflect, learn and recommit to service through a shared experience designed to unite the system.

Anchored by the theme “Carrying the Torch, Expanding the Dream: The Enduring Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King,” the program centered on Coretta Scott King’s essential, and often underrecognized, leadership. Beyond her role as partner and strategist in the Civil Rights Movement, Coretta Scott King founded The King Center, helped secure the establishment of the Martin Luther King Jr. federal holiday and extended the movement globally through advocacy for peace, economic justice and human rights, including early and sustained support for LGBTQ+ equality. Her work underscored that the movement’s progress depended on courageous, collective leadership.

The streaming event featured a reflective musical performance by cellist Okorie Johnson and an interfaith prayer by Wellstar Director of Spiritual Health Rev. Sarah Murray. Wellstar President and CEO Ketul J. Patel offered opening remarks and kicked off a compelling conversation between Dr. Bernice A. King, CEO of The King Center, and Monica Kaufman Pearson, former Atlanta news anchor and current host for Atlanta News First and Peachtree TV. Their dialogue explored the enduring relevance of both leaders’ teachings, emphasizing nonviolence as a guiding philosophy alongside unity, moral courage and action as essential to creating positive change. Wellstar Chief Human Resources Officer David A. Jones offered brief closing remarks as the executive sponsor of the event.

In keeping with the spirit of Dr. King’s legacy, Wellstar encourages team members to carry this work forward not only by participating in volunteer opportunities on MLK Day, but by engaging in service and advocacy throughout the year, reinforcing the ongoing commitment Wellstar has to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging across the communities it serves.

The virtual program is available for on-demand viewing at https://youtu.be/bksp8gadNVM.

Hot flashes and night sweats are common during perimenopause and menopause. They can show up without warning—sudden waves of heat, flushing or sweating that can disrupt your day and leave you feeling uncomfortable.

Symptoms can vary widely in frequency and intensity. “The severity of menopausal symptoms varies among women due to a combination of lifestyle, genetic, psychological and socioeconomic factors,” said Wellstar Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner Karin Hulon.

Among those factors, nutrition plays a key role—and certain foods can influence how often symptoms happen. “Some foods trigger hot flashes,” Hulon said. “Pay attention to your body to see if you can make a connection.”

Helpful foods

A balanced, plant-rich plate can support your body’s natural regulation and may ease symptoms. “Soy is a phytoestrogen that mimics estrogen in our bodies and helps to reduce hot flashes,” Hulon said. “Foods high in antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids, such as seafood and green leafy vegetables, are also beneficial.”

Options include:

• Mediterranean-style eating: plant-based foods, healthy fats
• Soy-based foods: tofu, edamame, soy milk, tempeh
• Phytoestrogen-rich foods: whole grains, seeds, legumes, berries
• Omega-3: salmon, chia seeds, avocados, flaxseeds
• Naturally cooling foods: apples, bananas, carrots, cucumbers, watermelon, pears, romaine lettuce

Mediterranean-style eating can be a practical place to start. “It encompasses plant-based foods and good fats such as avocado and olives, nuts, seeds, beans, legumes, tofu, fruits and fish,” Hulon said. “Even if you do not fully adopt this approach, making some substitutions and adjustments can be helpful.”

Foods to limit or avoid

Certain foods and drinks can trigger or worsen hot flashes, including:

• Caffeine: coffee, energy drinks
• Ultra-processed foods: baked goods, sugary drinks, fast food, fried foods
• Alcohol: wine (especially red wine), beer, liquor
• Spicy foods: hot peppers, jalapeños, cayenne pepper, hot sauces
• Nicotine: cigarettes, vaping, smokeless tobacco

“Women should avoid inflammatory foods—processed foods, fried foods, sugar, processed meats, canned foods and restaurant foods,” Hulon said. “Spicy foods, caffeine and alcohol also trigger hot flashes, so limit that intake as well.”

Supporting your well-being

Choosing nourishing foods, staying hydrated and noticing your personal triggers can help your body feel more balanced and comfortable.

Nutrition matters, but it is only one part of your overall health. “Lifestyle changes include smoking cessation, decreased alcohol consumption, exercise, dietary changes and weight loss,” Hulon said. “Decrease inflammation by eating a rainbow of fruits and vegetables, increasing sleep to seven to nine hours per night and reducing stress. Despite good lifestyle modifications, many women may still need menopause hormone therapy support.”

Wellstar offers resources to guide women through this transition. “At Wellstar, refer to the Center for Best Health, where practitioners are trained in helping patients achieve healthy goals and offer behavioral, exercise and nutrition counseling,” Hulon advised. “Additionally, a certified menopause practitioner can help patients navigate menopause hormone therapy.”

Our women’s health experts are here to support you with guidance, compassion and whole-person care. To learn more about menopause care at Wellstar, visit wellstar.org/menopause.