Wellstar Community Health Programs

AUGUSTA, Ga. (Oct. 13, 2025) – Wellstar Children’s Hospital of Georgia officially cut the ribbon on its updated lobby Monday with a ceremony attended by donors, dignitaries from Wellstar, Wellstar MCG Health Medical Center, Augusta University and the city of Augusta.

There was also a very special guest in attendance, Dr. Charles Howell, who throughout his career has been one of Wellstar Children’s Hospital of Georgia’s biggest advocates. From the stage, he watched, visibly touched, as a giant purple curtain fell, revealing the words “Dr. Charles G. Howell Jr Lobby” stretching across the lobby wall, greeting guests as they enter.

“I’m a little embarrassed,” Dr. Howell said as he took the podium.

He went on to say that many times over the years, patient families told him they didn’t know where to go for care, and now any patient who walks through the door of Wellstar Children’s Hospital of Georgia will find physicians who are board-certified in many specialties.

“You get the best care without saying anything, and for that I am very proud,” he said.

The moment had been kept top-secret, even from many event organizers. Planners knew they were organizing a special recognition, but the identity and exact nature of the surprise was revealed to leaders on a need-to-know basis to avoid spoiling the surprise. Leaders who knew, agreed that this was just as it should be. After all, Wellstar Children’s Hospital of Georgia would not exist without Dr. Howell’s steadfast advocacy.

There’s a well-known story that Dr. Howell offhandedly mentioned the need for a children’s hospital to a patient’s father—a spark that would lead to securing the necessary funding only a few years later. Dr. Howell did not know the comment was made to the chief aide to Rep. Tom Murphy, then Speaker of the Georgia House of Representatives. Ten years later, the children’s hospital was a reality.

Dr. Howell was also instrumental in designing the hospital, involving children and families in the process to ensure their needs were met. Children’s Medical Center, now Wellstar Children’s Hospital of Georgia, opened in 1998 and expanded pediatric inpatient capacity from 32 to 154 beds. Dr. Howell is one of Georgia’s greatest advocates for children’s healthcare.

As part of the celebration, Augusta Mayor Garnett Johnson read a proclamation declaring Oct. 13 “Dr. Charles Howell Day,” and presented him with a plaque.

Wellstar MCG Health President Ralph Turner also thanked Dr. Howell for his dedication and service to Georgia’s children.

“When someone dedicates their lives to taking care of our children and only makes one profound statement that grows into an entire facility—and he dedicates 40 years of his life taking care of children—this, today, just feels right,” Turner said.

As a pediatric surgeon, Dr. Howell has performed more than 16,000 procedures. He graduated from Medical College of Georgia in 1973 and, following a pediatric surgery residency at a children’s hospital in Philadelphia, returned to Augusta to practice.

In addition to operating on nearly 400 children each year, Dr. Howell started a pediatric ECMO program and a pediatric trauma program. He also served as capital campaign co-chair to assist in bringing Ronald McDonald House to its current location—only steps from Wellstar Children's Hospital of Georgia.

In 2018, following his 40-year surgical career, Dr. Howell retired as surgeon-in-chief of the children's hospital and chief of the department of surgery for Wellstar MCG Health. He returned to the health system in 2019 as the head of the hospital’s physician practice group.

The lobby of Wellstar Children’s Hospital of Georgia was the first large renovation project at the children’s hospital since it was built in 1998. The renovation includes new flooring, removal of an old fountain and updated furniture. A donor wall has also been installed to recognize the generous donors who help the hospital fulfill its mission of providing patient- and family-centered care for every family who seeks care at Wellstar Children’s Hospital of Georgia.

More patients of all ages, from young adults to busy families and seniors, are visiting Wellstar Urgent Care, attracted by the convenience and accessibility to skilled providers.

Urgent care is the appropriate first stop for many non-emergency situations, such as respiratory ailments, sports injuries and falls. You can make same-day appointments, walk in to one of our Urgent Care Centers or have a Virtual Urgent Care visit.

“It’s great for patients to have a place they know they can get in that day if they need to—for themselves or for their children,” said Dr. Andrew Thornton, a family medicine physician. Dr. Thornton is the lead physician at Wellstar Urgent Care in Holly Springs, Alpharetta and Woodstock.

“What I do to help patients in urgent care is very rewarding, and I think it fills a huge need in healthcare today.”

Need a visit quickly? Urgent care may be the answer

Many Wellstar Urgent Care locations have extended hours and are equipped to diagnose and treat illnesses and injuries, such as:

• Cough, congestion, sore throat, fever and body aches
• Stomach aches and distress
• Respiratory viruses, such as flu, COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
• Sprains, strains and broken bones
• Injuries from falls, workplace accidents or sports

The centers have X-ray and CT scanning equipment, and you can get school and sports physicals. The centers also administer vaccines recommended by clinicians to prevent serious illnesses.

Urgent care can help avoid unnecessary and costly emergency room visits. But it's important to remember that the Emergency Department is the right place in any potentially life-threatening situation. Dr. Thornton advised that you should head to the emergency room if you have any of these symptoms:

• Severe chest pain, especially with tightness or squeezing
• Open wounds with uncontrolled or rapid bleeding
• Sudden severe pain
• Traumatic injury, such as from a motor vehicle accident
• Active shortness of breath
• Suicidal thoughts
• Stroke-like symptoms, such as:
• Trouble speaking
• Sudden difficulty walking
• Arm or leg weakness
• Sudden vision loss
• Confusion

Urgent care fills some of today’s healthcare gaps

Wellstar is continually seeking ways to meet the evolving needs and preferences of patients and our communities.

A Kaiser Family Foundation 2018 poll found that 45% of adults ages 18 to 29 didn’t have a primary care provider. The number was 28% for adults ages 30 to 49.

Not having a primary care provider leaves you with few options if you become ill or injured. It also means you aren’t getting care that could detect serious illnesses early, when they are more treatable.

Find a primary care provider near you.

It’s not surprising that many Gen Z and millennial patients use urgent care. According to an article in The  Journal of Urgent Care Medicine, around 36% reported having been to an urgent care clinic in the past six months.

Busy families are also frequent visitors to urgent care, a fact that Dr. Thornton said he understands firsthand as parent to two children involved in sports.

Among the common injuries Dr. Thornton sees in urgent care are sports injuries, including concussions.

“As a parent, I’ve experienced the anxiety you feel when your child is suddenly sick or hurt and you don’t know if you can get in with the pediatrician that day,” he said.

Technology ties Urgent Care Centers to Wellstar specialists and services

As busy as they may become, urgent care physicians always take the time you need.

Clinicians can use electronic medical records to review your medication list, past test results and other health information. The same system allows urgent care providers to refer you for follow-up with primary care or other specialists at Wellstar.

Often, patients come to urgent care for a provider’s note to explain why they missed work or school. “We’re always happy to see you and provide the documentation you need,” Dr. Thornton said. “But while you’re here, we will do a physical exam. We can also do testing when indicated."

Another benefit to patient care is a mobile application that records patient-provider conversations, transcribes the recordings and drafts a clinical note. Dr. Thornton said the technology frees providers to observe you closely and focus on what you’re saying.

“Patients appreciate anything we can do to keep our focus on them, especially in urgent care,” he said. “It’s a fast-paced environment. We want to be able to give them every minute that we have.”

Learn more about Wellstar Urgent Care

• Know where to go to get care —urgent care, ER, primary care or pharmacy—based on your symptoms and situation.
• Find a Wellstar Urgent Care Center or book a virtual visit.
• Sign up for Wellstar MyChart so you’re ready to make an urgent care visit the next time you or a family member needs one.
• Listen to Dr. Thornton discuss Wellstar Urgent Care practice on 95.5 WSB’s The Weekly Check-Up.