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.2024 Wellstar Mobile Markets
Locations and Dates
Learn more at
wellstarmobilemarket.com
Butts dates: March 19th, April 16th, May 21st, June 18th, October 15th
Jackson United Methodist Church
409 E. 3rd St., Jackson, GA 30233
Event time: 5 PM - 6 PM Cobb dates: March 12th, April 9th, May 14th, June 11th, October 8th
Austell Senior Center
4915 Austell Powder Springs Rd. SW, Austell, GA 30106
Event time: 10 AM - 11 AM Douglas dates: March 21st, April 18th, May 16th, June 20th, October 17th
First Presbyterian Church of Douglasville
9190 Campbellton St., Douglasville, GA 30134
Event time: 10 AM - 11 AM South Fulton (Atlanta) dates: March 26th, April 30th, May 28th, June 25th, October 29th
Cathedral of Faith Church of God in Christ
1137 Avon Ave. SW, Atlanta, GA 30310
Event time: 10 AM - 11 AM North Fulton (Roswell) dates: March 7th, April 4th, May 2nd, June 6th, October 3rd
Zion Missionary Baptist Church
888 Zion Cir., Roswell, GA 30075
Event time: 5 PM - 6 PM Paulding dates: March 30th, April 27th, May 25th, June 29th, October 26th
Hiram High School
702 Virgie Ballentine Dr., Hiram, GA 30141
Event time: 10 AM - 11 AM Spalding dates: March 14th, April 11th, May 9th, June 13th, October 10th
New Mercy Baptist Church
730 Park Rd., Griffin, GA 30224
Event time: 5 PM - 6 PM Troup dates: March 2nd, April 6th, May 4th, June 1st, October 5th
AMC Theatre LaGrange (parking lot)
201 Main St., LaGrange, GA 30240
Event time: 10 AM - 11 AM
News
Related Articles
Highlights
What Women Should Know About Prostate Cancer
By Wellstar Urologist Dr. Reena Kabaria
Most women don’t spend much time thinking about prostate cancer until someone they know is touched by this disease. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men and the second most common cause of cancer death in men. If a woman’s loved one is diagnosed with prostate cancer, here is some guidance she can use to stay informed and support them throughout their cancer care.
What is the prostate gland?
The prostate is an organ tucked away under a man’s bladder. The sole purpose of the prostate is to produce the fluid needed for reproduction. Although the prostate serves no other role, it is surrounded by several delicate structures responsible for urinary and other sexual functions.
Detecting and treating prostate cancer
Fortunately, recent advances in the treatment of prostate cancer usually allow men to keep sexual and urinary functions intact. In fact, early detection not only increases the likelihood of cure, but also minimizes the chances for side effects. At the most curable stage, prostate cancer does not usually cause any symptoms. Therefore, men aged 40 and above should ask their doctor when they should have a screening PSA blood test based on their individual needs and risks.
Many men with a new diagnosis have such a slow-growing form of prostate cancer that it can merely be observed over time. When exploring different treatment options, it's recommended that patients consult with both a urologist and a radiation oncologist.
Wellstar surrounds patients with compassionate care. Nurse navigators provide a highly personalized level of support and guidance throughout diagnosis, treatment and follow-up care. We also offer support groups if patients want to meet others who are dealing with the same diagnosis. While a cancer diagnosis is often upsetting and overwhelming for both patients and the people they love, our team stands with patients and families at every step.
Highlights
Santa Claus Visits Patients at Wellstar Children’s Hospital of Georgia
Santa Claus’ cheery “Ho, Ho, Ho” boomed through Christian Norris’ hospital room seconds before the jolly man entered the room himself.
Christian, age 3, wore a Santa and sat in the middle of his hospital bed at Wellstar Children’s Hospital of Georgia. He broke into a wide smile as the Jolly Old Elf came near. Santa gave Christian a large stuffed bear, a stuffed animal and a wrapped Christmas present.
On Christmas morning, Santa made his rounds at Wellstar Children’s, visiting patients like Christian, who couldn’t be home for Christmas.
Christian’s mother, Charlene Norris, said it meant a lot to her that Santa took the time to visit. “There’s joy for the children in times like this when they don’t understand anything. They don’t understand why this is happening to them,” she said. “Just to see them smile and to know that Christmas isn’t all about gifts at home. People came out to make sure that he had a Christmas, even if he was in the hospital.”
On Christmas Eve, Christian’s stomach began expanding and he started to dry heave. Not knowing what was wrong, Charlene brought him to the emergency room at Wellstar Children’s and the staff began running tests. Doctors are still working to determine what’s causing the problem, but they have ruled out a cancerous tumor, Charlene said.
She knows first-hand that Christian is in good hands.
“Believe it or not, I was a patient as a child here years ago under the old Medical College of Georgia,” said Charlene, who is an Augusta resident. “I’m a cardiac patient myself. Being here as a child and then being here as a parent with a child—it makes you more grateful that we didn’t have to go far.”
As she spoke, Christian unwrapped his gift. It was a toy doctor’s kit, and he busied himself exploring different tools inside and putting a cloth band aid on his leg.
“Some people have to come so far to get here. We are grateful to have this hospital here,” Charlene said.
Learn more about Wellstar Children’s and its pediatric services.
Highlights
Prostate Cancer Screening in Black Men
Screening for prostate cancer is crucial for early detection and to help provide the best possible outcome. It is especially important for Black men to be vigilant about screening, as they are disproportionately impacted by this cancer.
About 1 in 6 Black men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime, compared to 1 in 8 white men, according to a report from the American Cancer Society. Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in Black men.
The American Cancer Society recommends that men at an average risk of developing prostate cancer begin screening when they are 50, but Black men should start earlier—at age 45 if they have no family history of prostate cancer, and at age 40 if any of their male relatives have had prostate cancer. Wellstar takes a personalized approach to cancer screenings, with clinicians discussing benefits versus risks of screening and helping patients evaluate their risk.
“Despite many physicians being aware of this and following this practice, Black men continue to be diagnosed with and die from metastatic prostate cancer. This is a trend that desperately needs to be reversed,” said Wellstar Primary Care Physician Dr. Earl Stewart. “We have adequate screening tools that do not even require a digital rectal examination.”
The Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) blood test is more accurate than the digital rectal examination in helping to detect prostate cancer, according to Dr. Stewart. Patients should also discuss family history with their relatives. “Patients knowing their family history is so crucial in having those discussions with primary care physicians to determine the best age at which to start screening,” Dr. Stewart said.
Screening for prostate cancer is as simple as making a preventive appointment with your primary care physician, discussing your family history with him or her, and having a PSA blood test. This test may be performed during an annual physical or wellness visit. Shared decision making between physician and patient is important to discuss your risk, your need for testing and next steps to take if your PSA level is elevated and concerning. Knowing your risk can save your life.
“I know many personally who are near and dear to me who had the disease and who unfortunately died from complications of metastatic prostate cancer,” Dr. Stewart said. “I know many more who lived because they had the conversation and dared to move forward with appropriate screening at the appropriate age.”