Wellstar Community Health Programs
We support the health of our communities. At Wellstar, we are more than healthcare, PeopleCare.
- Community Health Programs
Community Health Programs at Wellstar
As one of the leading healthcare systems in Georgia and one of the top ten charity care systems in the nation, we embrace the responsibility of supporting our communities throughout the state. Our community health efforts exist to coordinate connections between people who experience poor health outcomes and a lack of resources in order to help improve their chances for sustainable health and well-being. We do this by providing access to care through our community clinic network and community transformation programs, and by providing access to COVID-19 vaccinations and colorectal cancer and prostate cancer screenings, to name just a few examples. In fact, we have facilitated over 10,000 community vaccinations in collaboration with local public health, and we’ve distributed 1,300 Colorectal Cancer Screening Kits through our partnership with BLKHLTH. Across Wellstar, our caregivers and team members from many disciplines work to focus their talents toward service. Because access to healthy foods is a key component of healthy living, we endeavor to offer this support in our community efforts, including our food resource initiatives. When Wellstar’s Community Health Needs Assessments identified food insecurity as a key social determinant of health impacting the well-being of the communities we serve across the state, Wellstar joined the Goodr partner network and launched Wellstar Mobile Markets, a uniquely branded variation of pop-up grocery markets. These Mobile Markets have reached communities in metro Atlanta and beyond. Since its inception in 2020, the “Wellstar on Wheels” Mobile Market has served over 25,000 individuals. Wellstar's Spiritual Health staff support and give care during moments when people most need it. Their primary goal is to provide a compassionate and supportive environment that allows patients, families and other caregivers to feel safe and respected. These efforts include nondenominational spiritual support for patients and family members through our congregational health network, as well as the compassionate attention of social work students on rotation in our medical centers. The efforts of our Wellstar Women's Health caregivers support positive maternal health and wellness by providing vital resources and education to pregnant and postpartum birth givers. Wellstar has partnered with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition of Georgia (HMHBGA) to provide maternal health resources in support of new mothers and birth givers in Georgia. Part of these efforts include distributing free care packages, including practical tools and educational information. Wellstar is also part of a pilot program, Operation MIST, which is studying the maternal mortality and morbidity crisis that is impacting birth givers and the health of their babies. All this important work, and more, to support the health of our communities highlights our Wellstar motto that we are more than healthcare, PeopleCare.2026 Wellstar Mobile Markets
Jackson/Butts County
Location: Jackson United Methodist Church
Time: 5 PM - 6 PM
Dates: March 17, April 21, May 19, June 16, September 15, October 20
Douglasville/Douglas County
Location: Saint James AME Church
Time: 10 AM - 11 AM
Dates: March 25, April 29, May 27, June 24, September 23, October 28
Roswell/North Fulton County
Location: Zion Missionary Baptist Church
Time: 5 PM - 6 PM
Dates: March 12, April 9, May 14, June 11, September 10, October 8
Atlanta/South Fulton County
Location: Mount Pleasant Baptist Church
Time: 10 AM - 11 AM
Dates: March 10, April 14, May 12, June 9, September 8, October 13
Dallas/Paulding County
Location: PB Ritch Middle School
Time: 10 AM - 11 AM
Dates: March 28, April 25, May 23, June 27, September 26, October 24
Griffin/Spalding County
Location: The Gathering International
Time: 5 PM - 6 PM
Dates: March 5, April 2, May 7, June 4, September 3, October 1
LaGrange/Troup County
Location: LaGrange AMC Classic 10
Time: 10 AM - 11 AM
Dates: March 7, April 4, May 2, June 6, September 5, October 3
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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.
