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  • Wellstar Receives $5.5M Healthy Start Grant to Improve Maternal Outcomes in West Georgia
Article Category: Highlights

Wellstar Receives $5.5M Healthy Start Grant to Improve Maternal Outcomes in West Georgia

Published on June 07, 2024

Last updated 11:55 AM June 07, 2024

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If it’s true that women’s health is community health, then it will take a community approach to overcome the biggest barriers to positive maternal health outcomes.

Georgia is facing a maternal mortality epidemic where Black and brown women are three to four times more likely than white women to die from childbirth. The state ranks among the worst in the nation for maternal mortality rates. Yet 89% of these deaths are preventable.

“For too many women in communities around our state, there is a lack of access to care, especially preventative care and screenings that can be lifesaving. At Wellstar, we’re doing something about it,” said Julie Teer, senior vice president of Wellstar and president of the Wellstar Foundation.

Over the past few years, Wellstar has been committed to addressing the increasing maternal mortality rates in Georgia through its doula labor program, which provides high-risk women with the additional support they need to have a healthy pregnancy. The doula assists them through the pregnancy, labor and delivery, as well as the immediate postpartum period.

Now, with the recent award of a $5.5 million Healthy Start grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Wellstar can expand to a more collaborative approach that will convene a community consortium composed of more than 20 diverse, multisector partners to advise and inform activities. The group will also develop and implement plans to improve perinatal outcomes.

The Wellstar Healthy Start program will integrate into the OB/GYN care delivery model at Wellstar to directly impact the communities with the greatest need, including Spalding, Butts and Troup counties. In fact, Troup County ranks among the worst maternal and infant mortality rates in the state.

This funding enables Wellstar to provide individual and group perinatal and parenting education, expand prenatal and postpartum care for high-risk patients through nurse navigators, and increase access to community-based doulas. Additionally, it will provide important wrap-around services and care coordination for the entire family for services that address individualized challenges directly related to racial disparity and the social determinants of health, such as housing, food insecurity, domestic violence, lack of education/employment and access to transportation.

Over the five-year span of this grant, the Healthy Start program will support 3,500 women, fathers, caregivers and infants at Wellstar West Georgia, Wellstar Spalding and Wellstar Sylvan Grove Medical Centers and beyond.

To learn more about the Wellstar Foundation and how you can get involved, visit wellstar.org/foundation.

This blog post is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of an award totaling $5.5 million with 0% financed with nongovernmental sources. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement by, HRSA, HHS or the U.S. government.

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West Georgia Medical Center Spalding Medical Center Sylvan Grove Medical Center
Womens Health
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Highlights

Let’s Talk About Mom’s Mental Health

Being a mom* is hard. From the moment your baby is born, everything changes. New moms often feel tired, worried and overwhelmed. But sometimes, the feelings go beyond just being tired. Some moms experience serious mental health concerns—and we need to talk about it.

Maternal mental health means how a mother feels in her mind and heart during pregnancy and after giving birth. Many moms go through things like depression, anxiety or even scary thoughts. This is more common than people think. 1 in 5 moms experience perinatal depression. Mental health disorders—including substance overdose and suicide—are now the No. 1 cause of maternal death in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

There are some factors that can make it more likely for a mom to struggle with her mental health, including:

  • History of depression or anxiety
  • Difficult pregnancy or birth
  • Not having support from family or friends
  • Money problems or job stress
  • Feeling alone or not having time to rest
  • Race as a social construct (1 in 3 Black women may experience a mood disorder during or after pregnancy)

Even though many moms need help, it can be hard for them to access it. There are barriers to care, or things that can get in the way. Some moms are afraid to speak up because they worry people will think they are a bad parent. Others may not know where to go for help. Some moms don’t have health insurance or live far from a doctor. These problems can make it harder to get better. In addition, not all obstetrics clinicians have had sufficient training on the diagnosis and treatment of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs) and management of mental health medications during pregnancy and/or lactation. 

The good news: Help is out there. Mental health challenges after having a baby are treatable. And there are options that really work. Talking to a therapist—virtually or in person—can help moms feel heard and understood. Sometimes medicine can help too. Support groups, where moms can talk to each other, are also helpful. Getting rest, eating healthy and having help with the baby can make a big difference.

It’s very important that moms—and the people around them—know the signs of a mental health concern. Some signs to look for include:

  • Feeling very sad, angry or empty for days
  • Not wanting to eat or sleep
  • Feeling like you can’t bond with your baby
  • Having scary thoughts or feeling like you might hurt yourself or others

If you notice these signs in yourself or someone you love, speak up. It’s not a sign of weakness. It’s a sign of strength to ask for help. Every mom deserves to feel well and cared for.

Let’s be honest: Moms are superheroes. But even superheroes need support. We need to make sure that every mom knows she’s not alone. We must make it easier to talk about mental health. We must listen without judgment. And we must make sure help is easy to find.Healthy moms mean healthy families. When we take care of mothers, we take care of our whole community.

If you’re a mom who’s struggling, please know this: You are not alone. You are not to blame. And you can get better. Speak up, reach out and know that there are people who care and want to help. Ask your obstetrics care team and see these resources for moms and families.

Resources for patients and families

1. Postpartum Support International (PSI)

PSI offers education, training and resources for professionals working with families during the perinatal period. They also provide a clinician directory, helpline and certification programs.

Helpline: (800) 944-4773 (Text “HELLO” to (800) 944-4773)

2. Shades of Blue Project

This project focuses on maternal mental health support for Black and brown birthing people. They offer culturally competent resources, education and support groups and provide training opportunities for clinicians looking to improve care for underserved populations.

3. MotherToBaby

This organization provides expert, evidence-based information about medications and other exposures during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Their team also offers live chat and phone consultations.

Helpline: Call or text (866) 626-6847

Resources for clinicians

1. PEACE for Moms

This is a free psychiatric consultation service for Georgia clinicians caring for pregnant and postpartum patients. They offer provider-to-provider support on screening, diagnosis and treatment of perinatal mental health conditions.

2. Postpartum Support International Professional Resources

This group provides clinician training, consultation and certification in perinatal mental health. They also offer a perinatal psychiatric consultation service.

3. LactMed (Drugs and Lactation Database)

This is a National Institute of Health resource for up-to-date, evidence-based information on medications and their compatibility with breastfeeding.

Find a Wellstar behavioral health specialist near you or find a Wellstar OB/GYN.

*Mom and mothers are used throughout this article. However, I recognize and respect that not all birthing parents identify as female. At Wellstar, we believe in honoring every voice.

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Newsroom

Wellstar Spalding Introduces Stigma-Free Transport for Behavioral Health Patients

In a compassionate step forward for mental health care, Wellstar Spalding Medical Center has launched a new initiative to more quickly and safely transport patients in need of psychiatric care to specialty care facilities.

People in the Spalding community no longer have to wait in emergency departments for extended periods—sometimes days—until a secure ride in a marked law enforcement or EMS vehicle is available. Now, patients who need this type of specialty care are transported within hours in a discreet, unmarked SUV. The approach preserves each patient’s dignity and accelerates access to critical inpatient psychiatric care.

“This innovative approach not only improves logistics but also reinforces Wellstar’s commitment to treating every person with dignity and care,” said Kevin Smith, president of Wellstar Spalding. “It’s a win for our patients, our staff and our community.”

Each year, Wellstar Behavioral Health serves about 19,000 people, many of whom enter the health system through hospital emergency departments. When patients require transfer to an inpatient psychiatric facility, transportation delays can lead to prolonged emergency department stays and slower treatment for all patients. The root of the issue lies in the limited availability of secure transport options, which are typically restricted to EMS or law enforcement vehicles.

A friendly image of stigma

To address this challenge, Wellstar Spalding leaders teamed up with the health system’s Behavioral Health service line to develop a creative and compassionate solution, starting with the hospital in Griffin. With funding from the Wellstar Foundation, the team purchased and outfitted an unmarked SUV designed specifically for the safe and respectful transport of patients needing behavioral health care.

Wellstar Spalding has hired several specialized officers to operate the vehicle. These officers receive training from Wellstar’s behavioral health team—including suicide risk assessment and response—ensuring patients are transported with both safety and empathy.

“This is a good example of our service line coming together with hospital leaders to use out-of-the-box thinking, allowing us to serve with compassion,” said Dr. Ryan Breshears, chief behavioral health officer at Wellstar.

Trish Velasco, Wellstar’s assistant vice president of behavioral health, emphasized the role of community support.

“The generosity of those in our community who donate to the Wellstar Foundation made this possible,” she said. “Their contributions are directly improving patient experiences and outcomes in a very tangible way.”

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Highlights

Personalized Breast Care Close to Home at Wellstar North Fulton

By Wellstar Breast Surgeon Dr. Laura Pearson

I have never met a woman who enjoyed getting mammograms, including myself. They can be uncomfortable, awkward and anxiety-provoking—especially if you have had scares in the past or are at high risk for getting breast cancer.

There are so many additional resources for risk reduction and surveillance available that go hand-in-hand with mammograms. At Wellstar, reducing your risk and screening for cancer starts with a physical from your primary care doctor.

If you are at average risk of developing breast cancer, you should begin annual screening mammograms at age 40. If you have a family history or other risk factors, your doctor may recommend earlier or more frequent screening. If something is detected on a mammogram, the Wellstar Comprehensive Breast Health Program has nurse navigators who will help arrange diagnostic imaging, biopsy procedures and referrals to breast specialists. If you are diagnosed with cancer, the compassionate and oncology-trained nurse navigators with Wellstar Cancer Care walk patients through diagnosis, evaluation, treatment and beyond.

If you’re diagnosed with breast cancer, your treatment and care will transition from our Comprehensive Breast Health Program to the Wellstar Cancer Care team. In Wellstar STAT Clinics, which stands for Specialty Teams and Treatment, we put you at the center of your care plan. In our STAT Clinic for Breast Cancer, the care team, including breast oncology nurse navigators, surgeons, medical and radiation oncologists, nutritionists and genetic counselors, will meet with you and your support system on the same day to formulate a treatment plan personalized to your specific cancer, as well as your personal and cultural needs. Patients are able to ask questions, make decisions and start treatment sooner, improving outcomes.

Many times, surgical intervention can be done as an outpatient procedure. We can also offer some people intraoperative radiation therapy, or IORT—the option of doing their radiation treatment in the operating room at the same time as their lumpectomy, meaning they are able to avoid four to six weeks of radiation treatments. Any other interventions, such as chemotherapy or radiation, including our CyberKnife for treatments like targeted partial breast radiation therapy, are found in the cancer center on Wellstar North Fulton’s medical campus. We have physical therapists, social workers and palliative care specialists who are there for you if the need arises.

Your Wellstar care team can also help you reduce your risk of developing breast cancer. Being overweight or obese or being a smoker can increase your risk. Patients at Wellstar have access to our Center for Best Health to assist in weight management. We also have smoking cessation programs and dietitians waiting to help you make healthier choices that can positively impact your health.

Wellstar provides more than healthcare, PeopleCare—working relentlessly to exceed national standards and our patients’ expectations while remembering the humanity of every patient. We are here for all the situations and stages of our patients’ lives by offering the tools and resources to be healthy and thrive. Wellstar clinicians live in the communities we serve. We must get physicals, mammograms and biopsies. We need help being our healthiest selves. We get sick and have family members who need compassionate care. PeopleCare means offering our patients world-class healthcare in the communities where they live and work.

Your care team can put your mammogram order in Wellstar MyChart to book online, or you can schedule by calling (678) 581-5900.

Visit wellstar.org/northfultoncancercare to learn more about cancer care at Wellstar North Fulton.

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