Wellstar Community Outreach
At Wellstar, community outreach is an important facet of our mission to enhance the health and well-being of every person we serve.
- Community Outreach
Community Outreach at Wellstar
Wellstar Health System is a nonprofit organization and is committed to being an engaged community partner. At Wellstar, we are more than healthcare, we are PeopleCare, and our passion for people extends into the communities we serve. We are committed to elevating the health and well-being of our community through outreach and partnership that honors all voices. Wellstar relies on and values our community partners and the role they play in positively impacting the health and well-being of every person we serve. Wellstar partners with mission-aligned and other non-profit organizations to address priority health needs and social determinants of health as defined through our Community Health Needs Assessments, and that also further a social cause and provide community benefit. We work alongside our business and civic partners and leaders to amplify health awareness, contribute to economic development and growth, and to help our communities thrive through service. We also partner with both academic and other organizations dedicated to career development to help prepare the next generation of caregivers and healthcare workers in both clinical and non-clinical capacities. In addition to community partnerships, Wellstar also engages in our community through corporate volunteerism, sponsorships, event participation and speaking engagements that align with our areas of focus. Each request for Wellstar to provide community support is carefully considered. Please contact us about speaking engagements, sponsorships, events, and other partnership opportunities. If you would like to receive our monthly Community Update eNewsletter, please submit your request here: [email protected]Just a few outreach examples
Wellstar supports our partner organizations such as those providing access to food and housing by engaging our team members in volunteerism and community service through Wellstar’s CommunityCare initiative. Wellstar also provides health education and awareness on important health and wellness topics such as cardiac health and stroke prevention, breast and prostate cancer prevention, and mental health including suicide prevention, and substance abuse prevention and treatment.
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PeopleCare
Wellstar PeopleCare | Reaching New Heights After Head & Neck Cancer
David Butler's cancer journey took him through a rare jaw reconstruction, multiple rounds of radiation treatment, chemotherapy, intense rehabilitation and coordinated care from specialists across Wellstar.
From survival to summit
After David did the hard work of fighting cancer twice and feeling like recovery was truly sailing along, he set a new goal. David and one of his daughters, Madeline Hawkins, completed a hiking and camping trip that included summiting Blood Mountain in North Georgia. They covered 14 miles, camping overnight and making friends along the trail.
The hike wasn't easy.
“I forgot you have to be half mountain goat!” he quipped.
David moved at his own pace and pushed through lingering fatigue. Reaching the summit’s stunning vista at Preacher’s Rock was a reminder of how far he had come since his cancer diagnosis.
PeopleCare
Wellstar PeopleCare | Beating Cancer Twice with Coordinated Care
David Butler’s cancer journey began when he underwent treatment for an aggressive head and neck cancer. Supported by his family, faith and a team of head and neck cancer specialists, he had part of his jaw removed and went through radiation therapy and intense rehabilitation.
A major setback
The same year of his jaw surgery and initial radiation course, David’s recovery was beginning to feel like “smooth sailing.” Just as life started to feel manageable again, he faced an unexpected challenge.
David and his wife, Jill, got devastating news: routine follow-up imaging revealed three new tumors on the other side of his neck and tongue. Dr. Fiyin Sokoya, David’s cancer surgeon, removed lymph nodes from David’s neck, had them biopsied and confirmed that it was an aggressive cancer.
At first, David felt so discouraged that he didn’t want to move forward with treatment.
However, seeing that a group of experts were working together to give him the best, evidence-based treatment path for his unique circumstance gave him confidence to renew his fight against cancer.
PeopleCare
Wellstar PeopleCare | Moving Fast, Working Together: Advanced Head & Neck Cancer Surgery Keeps David Smiling
David Butler's cancer journey took him through a rare jaw reconstruction, radiation and coordinated care from specialists across Wellstar. His care team collaborated to provide what he needed as quickly and efficiently as possible.
A bothersome mouth sore
Lean and energetic, David is quick with a joke and even quicker with a smile. A neatly trimmed mustache frames a grin that lights up his blue eyes, illuminating his trademark optimism and humor. They’re qualities he kept intact throughout cancer treatment and draws on today, when he encourages people who are newly diagnosed with cancer.
It started with a sore on his gum in the fall of 2023. He assumed it would heal on its own. Instead, it got worse. When he could hardly swallow a few months later, his dentist referred him to an oral surgeon for a biopsy. That’s when he got the life-changing news: it was cancer.
“You hear the big C and it scares you to death,” David said. “But there's light at the end of the tunnel. There's always hope.”
What followed was cancer treatment involving surgery, radiation, chemotherapy and support from a whole team of cancer specialists. Along the way, David said he leaned on his faith, the support of his wife, Jill, who he credits as his biggest advocate—and the expertise of Wellstar caregivers.
