Wellstar Recognized as Cancer Treatment Leader

The College of Healthcare Information Management Executives (CHIME) is pleased to announce that Wellstar Health System has earned 2021 CHIME Digital Health Most Wired recognition as a certified level 8 in acute, ambulatory and long-term care. This is the seventh time Wellstar has received this annual distinction. The CHIME Digital Health Most Wired program conducts an annual survey to assess how effectively healthcare organizations apply core and advanced technologies into their clinical and business programs to improve health and care in their communities.

“Digital transformation in healthcare has accelerated to an unprecedented level since 2020, and the next few years will bring a wave of innovation that empowers healthcare consumers and will astound the industry,” said CHIME President and CEO Russell P. Branzell. “The Digital Health Most Wired program recognizes the outstanding digital leaders who have paved the way for this imminent revolution in healthcare. Their trailblazing commitment to rapid transformation has set an example for the entire industry in how to pursue a leadership vision with determination, brilliant planning and courage to overcome all challenges.”

“This recognition reflects the care, dedication and extraordinary professionalism the Wellstar team brings to work every day in service of our communities,” said Dr. Hank Capps, executive vice president and chief information and digital officer, Wellstar Health System. “Through this challenging season, the team has delivered on Wellstar’s mission of enhancing the health and well-being of every person we serve.”

A total of 36,674 organizations were represented in the 2021 Digital Health Most Wired program, which includes four separate surveys: acute, ambulatory, long-term care and international acute. The surveys assessed the adoption, integration and impact of technologies in healthcare organizations at all stages of development, from early development to industry leading.

Each participating organization received a customized benchmarking report, an overall score and scores for individual levels in eight segments: infrastructure; security; business/disaster recovery; administrative/supply chain; analytics/data management; interoperability/population health; patient engagement; and clinical quality/safety.

When someone has breast cancer, catching it early can be life-saving. As part of Wellstar’s efforts to address health inequity and enhance the well-being of those we serve, Wellstar recently offered free mammograms so local women could check in on their breast health.

A $5,000 grant from the American Cancer Society provided the mammograms, helping to remove barriers to healthcare access. Mammograms, which were promoted through the American Cancer Society website, were available at imaging facilities at Wellstar Kennestone Hospital, Wellstar Cobb Hospital, Wellstar Douglas Hospital and Wellstar West Georgia Medical Center. 

Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women worldwide, excluding skin cancer. 

“Unfortunately, one in eight women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime, so early detection is key,” said Dr. Paula Greaves, Wellstar’s chief women’s health officer. “There are some risk factors that women cannot change, such as genetics, but there are some that women can reduce, such as smoking and nutrition.”

Breast cancer is more treatable when it is caught early and treatment can start as soon as possible. 

“Mammograms are essential in early detection,” Dr. Greaves said. “It is recommended that women start getting mammograms at age 40, or earlier if there has been a family history of breast cancer — and to continue not only getting mammograms but seeing their gynecologist for regular breast exams.”

To ensure our communities are educated about cancer screenings and have access to essential care, Wellstar has partnered with the American Cancer Society’s Return to Screening initiative. 

“The American Cancer Society’s Return to Screening initiative has brought together mammography leaders from across the state for a meeting once a month to brainstorm and collaborate on ways to get women to have their annual screening mammograms,” said Lynn Hanks, executive director of medical imaging operations for Wellstar. “The learning collaborative allows us to share best practices and what has been successful at other locations.”

To schedule a mammogram, call (678) 581-5900. 

Wellstar Health System has hired Le Joyce Naylor as senior vice president and chief diversity, equity, & inclusion officer. Naylor began her role on August 2 to provide systemwide thought leadership, strategic planning, and implementation of DE&I initiatives at Wellstar. 

“Wellstar is committed to sustaining a diverse, equitable and inclusive environment that honors and values the voice of each patient and team member,” said Candice L. Saunders, president and CEO of Wellstar Health System. “Le Joyce will work with leaders across our organization to advance Wellstar’s diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) and cultural competence programs to positively impact patients, team members and the communities we serve – both today and into the future.”

Naylor has nearly 20 years of diversity and inclusion experience and an exceptional track record of setting strategy, engaging stakeholders and driving results, including leadership of DE&I initiatives in a healthcare setting. Most recently, she served as the executive director diversity & inclusion officer at the Cleveland Clinic. She was responsible for driving the diversity and inclusion strategy and execution for more than 66,000 employees and oversaw the system’s 21 Diversity Councils and 13 Employee Resource Groups. Under Naylor’s leadership, the Cleveland Clinic received National recognition for their employee resource groups, along with being recognized by DiversityInc. as a Top 10 Health System for twelve consecutive years, most notably ranking #1 in 2019. 

Nurturing diversity, equity and inclusion inside and outside the walls of Wellstar

Wellstar is dedicated to nurturing a diverse workplace that mirrors its communities. Approximately 81% of the company’s employees are women, and just over half (51%) of the workforce is comprised of minorities. When it comes to ascension, 47% of Wellstar’s executives and 77% of frontline managers are women, while minority executives make up 21% of the workforce, with minorities in 38% of the frontline management roles. Also, Wellstar has 7,300 nurses, of which approximately 90.2% of the system’s clinical RNs are women.

In December 2020, Wellstar formally launched the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Advisory Council to identify opportunities to grow and drive positive change for our communities, patients and team members. As part of her scope, Naylor will lead the council to collaboratively address workforce diversity, a culture of inclusion, cultural competence, health equity, community engagement, and supplier diversity. Wellstar is regularly recognized for diversity excellence, including accolades from Diversity MBA magazine, Diversity Best Practices, Working Mother/Working Father, and National Association for Executive Women (NAFE), among others. Wellstar was also named among Great Place to Work® and Fortune “Best Companies to Work For” and “Best Workplaces for Diversity,” as well as in PEOPLE “Companies that Care,” in part due to the health system’s emphasis on inclusive policies and programs for Wellstar’s workforce and communities.