Wellstar Community Outreach

GROVETOWN, Ga.  (August 26, 2026) — Wellstar Columbia County Medical Center welcomed its first patients on Wednesday, Aug. 26, following two major community celebrations that marked a historic step forward for healthcare access in Columbia County and the broader Central Savannah River Area.

The first three patients had scheduled shoulder replacements and a tonsillectomy in three of the hospital’s six state-of-the-art operating rooms. The first patient arrived in the emergency department at 8:02 a.m., two minutes after the hospital's opening.

On Aug. 4 Wellstar leaders, including president and CEO Ketul J. Patel and Board of Trustees Chair Greg Morgan, were joined by Georgia Governor Brian Kemp, University System of Georgia Chancellor Sonny Perdue, Augusta University President Russell Keen, Columbia County Commission Chairman Doug Duncan, and other state and local leaders for a ribbon-cutting event and facility tour at the new hospital.

Days later, on Aug. 8, Wellstar welcomed community members to an open house where residents toured the new facility, explored patient care areas, and learned more about the services that will soon be available close to home.

“This is a special milestone for Columbia County, the CSRA, and everyone who helped bring this vision to life,” said Patel. “When a new hospital comes to life, it creates opportunities that will benefit a community for generations. Wellstar Columbia County Medical Center was thoughtfully designed with this community, for this community, and we are excited about the impact it will have on patients and families for years to come.”

The six-story, 100-bed hospital, located at 5000 Gateway Blvd. in Grovetown, will expand access to emergency care, surgical services, advanced imaging, cardiology, neurology, oncology, orthopedics, specialty care, and inpatient services. The hospital is designed to grow with the region and will open with flexible spaces, advanced technology, and patient-centered features that support care close to home.

Wellstar Columbia County Medical Center features dedicated intensive care unit rooms, and every patient room can be converted to function as ICU room if necessary. Patient rooms also include technology to support telehealth visits with specialists at Wellstar MCG Health and family members, along with digital whiteboards that help patients and care teams stay connected to up-to-date medical information. Large windows throughout the hospital bring in natural light, supporting a healing environment.

“This is 12 years of a dream that began with a commitment to better serve this community,” said Russell Keen, president of Augusta University. “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.”

The new hospital also expands the partnership among Wellstar, Augusta University, and the Medical College of Georgia, providing additional learning opportunities for students and future healthcare professionals through the use of the latest healthcare technologies. Adjacent to the hospital, a 92,000-square-foot medical office building with 11 outpatient clinics remains under construction and is expected to open later this fall.

During the Aug. 4 ribbon-cutting event, leaders emphasized that the hospital represents years of collaboration, planning, and shared commitment among healthcare, education, government, and community partners. The celebration also highlighted the role of local students, whose artwork will be displayed in the hospital lobby to welcome patients, families, visitors, and team members.

“Hospitals are known for medicine, technology, and clinical expertise—and all of those things matter,” Patel said. “But healing is also about connection, comfort, and belonging.”

To serve our community’s growing healthcare needs, Wellstar opened new urgent care, primary care and pediatric cardiology locations at 76 East Paulding Drive in Dallas.

Primary care & mental wellness

People in Paulding County can now receive high-quality, evidence-based whole person care at the new Wellstar GME Internal Medicine—which also serves as a teaching center for doctors completing their residency. This practice offers typical primary care as well as mental and emotional health services.

Services include wellness exams, vaccinations, treatment for illnesses like the flu, management of chronic conditions such as diabetes and mental health support.

Schedule an appointment at our new primary care location in Dallas by calling (943) 202-9020. 

Urgent care 

If you’re dealing with a minor injury or illness or need care after your physician’s regular office hours, going to urgent care is often the right choice. Wellstar Urgent Care centers provide quick, convenient care for non-emergency medical conditions such as coughs, colds, sprains, broken bones and minor bites, burns and cuts.

Check in at our new urgent care location in Dallas or call (943) 202-9000.

Pediatric heart care

Our pediatric cardiology experts can evaluate and create comprehensive treatment plans for children and teenagers with congenital heart defects, arrhythmias (heart rhythm disorders), chest pain, heart palpitations, high blood pressure/cholesterol, fainting, cardiomyopathies and heart failure as well as fetal (prenatal) cardiology. Wellstar Children's of Georgia pediatric cardiology specialists provide comprehensive, coordinated care with a multidisciplinary team, which may include pediatric heart surgeons and electrophysiologists (heart rhythm specialists), as well as medical geneticists, pediatric nurses and dietitians.

Schedule an appointment at our new pediatric cardiology location in Dallas or call (470) 956-9171.

MARIETTA, Ga. (Aug. 19, 2026) – Wellstar Health System has named Don Stanziano executive vice president and chief external affairs officer, adding a veteran healthcare marketing and communications leader to its executive team.

Stanziano will lead the health system’s marketing, communications, government relations, and strategic community development teams. In the role, he will help strengthen relationships with patients, communities, partners, policymakers, and other stakeholders while supporting Wellstar’s efforts to become a destination healthcare system in Georgia and across the Southeast.

“Don is an accomplished healthcare executive whose experience spans some of the nation’s leading health systems,” said Ketul J. Patel, president and CEO of Wellstar Health System. “He has successfully led organizations through periods of growth and transformation while strengthening relationships with patients, communities, policymakers, and stakeholders. As Wellstar continues advancing our strategic priorities and expanding our impact across Georgia and the Southeast, Don’s leadership, perspective, and commitment to service will be invaluable in helping us build the partnerships and engagement that support our mission.”

Stanziano brings extensive experience leading marketing, communications, and brand strategy for some of the nation’s largest and most respected healthcare organizations.

He joins Wellstar from Banner Health, one of the nation’s largest nonprofit health systems, with 33 hospitals across six states and approximately $16 billion in annual revenue, where he served as senior vice president and chief marketing officer. In that role, he led initiatives to strengthen the organization’s brand, enhance consumer engagement, and guide external communications.

Prior to Banner Health, Stanziano served as chief marketing and communications officer at Geisinger in Pennsylvania. He also spent 16 years with Scripps Health in San Diego, including eight years as vice president of marketing and communications.

Throughout his career, Stanziano has helped healthcare organizations drive growth, elevate their brands, deepen community engagement, and navigate periods of transformation. At Wellstar, he will help advance the health system’s strategic priorities and strengthen the relationships that support its mission and the communities it serves. Stanziano is expected to begin his new role on September 21.