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 CountyLocation: 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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Highlights
Help Your Student Athlete Kick Off the Season Strong
Wellstar is here to help young athletes feel and perform their best. From sports physicals to start the season strong to treating injuries, our care teams specialize in providing expert, kid-centered care for your child.
Kick off the season with a sports physical
Schedule your child’s sports physical before game day arrives. Their care team will check their heart, lungs and overall health so they can feel their best on and off the field.
“Sports physicals are important to screen for any underlying conditions that might put your child at increased risk versus some of their peers,” said Dr. Eric Berg, Wellstar Children’s of Georgia medical director of pediatric surgical services. “It's one of the easiest ways to catch potential issues before kids hit the field. A little preparation now can help prevent injuries later.”
Schedule a sports physical with your child’s pediatrician. You can also visit Wellstar Urgent Care, which takes walk-ins and offers online scheduling.
Take time for rest and hydration
For optimal performance in sports, young athletes need to fuel their bodies—and take breaks when needed.It’s recommended that student athletes consume up to 20 ounces of fluid one hour before an activity and 5 ounces every 15 minutes during the activity.
“Proper nutrition and hydration are critical for all students, but particularly for athletes who are more active and burning more calories,” said Dr. Lindsay Stephenson, Wellstar Children’s of Georgia pediatric orthopedic surgeon. “I recommend using the nutritional guide released by the Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America. This information makes it easier for students and their parents to understand the nutritional needs of the body to perform in the classroom and during competition.”
Read the nutritional guidelines.
Children also need to incorporate rest into their routine so they don’t overtrain. Kids often enjoy playing with family and friends, and they may not realize they need to take a break, according to Dr. Natalie Witte, Wellstar Children’s of Georgia sports medicine physician.
“They may be more sore than they are normally and not recovering,” Dr. Witte said. “If they’re not hungry after training, they might be so depleted that they’re nauseous or dizzy.”
If your child isn’t feeling well, your family’s pediatrician or sports medicine specialist can evaluate them for injury or illness so they can get back to their favorite activities sooner.
Highlights
BackToSchoolCare: Checking in on Your Child’s Health
As you prepare for the new school year, give your child a positive start by completing your own homework assignment—checking in on their health.
Before heading back to the classroom, prioritize your child’s physical and emotional well-being with a visit to your family’s Wellstar pediatrician. Our compassionate pediatricians share your goal of keeping children healthy as they grow.
“I believe in treating the whole child. What I mean by that is, of course, their physical health is very important, but I also feel that their emotional health is very important,” said Wellstar Pediatrician Dr. Brandi Lewis. “My goal is for all my patients to be resilient, happy and healthy. My role is to work with families to accomplish that goal.”
Preventative check-ups and screenings help children stay ahead of health issues, and our pediatricians will ensure your child is up to date on their vaccines and discuss which immunizations are needed to prevent disease. Your family’s pediatrician can also help you navigate health requirements at your child’s school.
Heading back to school healthy
Teach your child healthy habits so they can feel their best throughout the school year.
Practice good hygiene.
Show children how to wash their hands properly and remind them to do it frequently. Do not send your children to school if they are sick.
Get moving.
Children should have about 30 to 60 minutes of moderate activity every day. Staying active can be a fun family activity—ride bikes around the block, play tag in the yard or go for a walk in the park.
Eat healthy.
Teach children about good nutrition by encouraging them to eat plenty of fruits and vegetables and limiting sugary drinks.
Get plenty of sleep.
Children aged 3 to 5 should get about 10 to 13 hours of sleep a day. Children 6 to 12 years old should get nine to 12 hours, and teenagers need about 8 to 10 hours.
Highlights
Understanding an Enlarged Prostate
If you’re experiencing urinary symptoms caused by an enlarged prostate, you’re not alone—and effective treatment is available. At Wellstar, patients have access to advanced urology care close by, including personalized treatment options designed to improve comfort and quality of life.
What is an enlarged prostate?
Benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH), or enlarged prostate, is one of the most common conditions affecting men over 50.
The prostate is a gland located below the bladder that helps produce semen. As men age, the prostate naturally grows larger. For some men, the enlarged prostate can press against the urethra and block the flow of urine, leading to bothersome urinary symptoms.
What symptoms should I be aware of?
Common symptoms of BPH include frequent urination, difficulty starting urination, a weak or interrupted urinary stream, waking up at night to urinate and feeling like the bladder is not fully empty.
In severe cases, some men may have difficulty urinating at all. If you are experiencing these symptoms, your primary care physician may recommend seeing a urologist.
Should I worry about prostate cancer?
Not necessarily. BPH is a non-cancerous condition and is separate from prostate cancer. However, a urologist may recommend routine prostate cancer screening based on your age, symptoms and overall risk factors.
What should I expect during a urology visit?
Your first visit will include a discussion about your symptoms, medical history and overall health. Additional testing—such as lab work, a physical exam or specialized imaging—may also be recommended to better evaluate the prostate and bladder.
What treatments are available for BPH?
Treatment depends on the severity of symptoms and how much they are affecting daily life. For some men, simple lifestyle changes—such as limiting caffeine and alcohol, reducing fluids before bedtime and following a regular bathroom schedule—may help relieve symptoms.
Medications are often the next step and can help improve urine flow, relax muscles around the bladder and prostate, or shrink the prostate over time. If symptoms continue or become more severe, minimally invasive procedures or surgery may be recommended. Today, many treatments use advanced technology designed to reduce recovery time and improve comfort. Options may include laser therapies, water-vapor treatments, image-guided procedures that remove excess prostate tissue, procedures that gently widen the urinary channel, or robotic-assisted surgery for larger prostates. At Wellstar, urologists use advanced robotic technology, including the da Vinci surgical system, to provide precise treatment through small incisions. This helps many patients experience less pain, shorter hospital stays and faster recovery.
The good news is that men have more treatment options than ever before. Your urologist can help create a personalized treatment plan based on your symptoms, lifestyle and goals.
Learn more about prostate care and other urology services at Wellstar.