Wellstar Community Health Programs

Wellstar’s partnership with Social Rx (Art Pharmacy) redefines how we support people’s overall health—using arts and culture as a powerful tool to address social, emotional and behavioral health needs across our communities. This initiative is one way Wellstar puts PeopleCare into action by recognizing that health is shaped not only by care at hospitals and doctor’s offices, but also by connection, purpose and community.

“As healthcare continues to evolve, arts and health is gaining recognition as a powerful tool for advancing equity, improving well-being and supporting whole-person care. At Wellstar, we are proud to help lead this work by connecting patients to community-based experiences that foster healing, connection and long-term health,” said Dr. Glenda Francis, director of operations for the Wellstar Center for Health Equity.

Social prescribing enables health professionals to formally prescribe non-clinical community activities—like creative workshops and performances—to improve a patient's health.

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, poor social relationships, social isolation and loneliness can increase the risk of heart disease by 29% and risk of stroke by 32%. People with strong perceptions of belonging to a community are 2.6 times more likely to report good or excellent health than people with a low sense of belonging.

“Our nation has an epidemic of loneliness that can contribute to people suffering from heart disease, stroke and premature death,” said Dr. Earl Stewart Jr., medical director of health equity for Wellstar. “Meaningful social engagement can help people overcome isolation and improve their behavioral health.”

The results to date show that this model is not only engaging—it produces meaningful outcomes for patients.

Driving measurable improvements in health and well-being

Recent quarterly outcomes demonstrate the meaningful difference this program is making for Wellstar patients.

Outcomes among 67 events include:

• 80% of attendees saw improved health and well-being
• 53% experienced reduced behavioral health symptoms
• 80% of those who were experiencing loneliness felt less lonely
• 88% active engagement in the social prescriptions
• 83% attendance rate at events
• Participants rated the program an average 9.7 out of 10
  
  

A patient’s story: from isolation to connection

For one Wellstar program participant, the experience became a turning point in her health journey. Initially referred through Social Rx because of anxiety and social isolation, she began attending pottery and arts-based classes in her community.

At first, participation felt unfamiliar, but over time she found herself looking forward to each session. The creative environment gave her space to decompress, express herself and connect with others in a way that felt safe and supportive.

“I learned how to relax and take better care of myself,” she shared. “I’ve really enjoyed participating—and I will continue to go back.”
Beyond the classes, her care team saw an improved mood, increased engagement and a growing sense of confidence. What began as a referral became a sustainable tool for managing her mental health and building connection.

Sustained outcomes beyond participation

The impact of the program extends beyond the experience itself:

• 100% of participants reported progress toward their health goals, with 30% fully achieving them.
• 80% reported continued improvement in blood pressure readings over time.

These results suggest the benefits of social prescribing can continue well beyond the initial experience.

Expanding access through community partnerships

The success of this program is grounded in strong partnerships with local arts and cultural organizations. Atlanta Shakespeare Company, Atlanta Botanical Garden, Zoo Atlanta, Kenny Leon’s True Colors Theatre, Spivey Hall and others all contribute to a growing network of community partners supporting this work.

These partners play a vital role in creating welcoming, culturally relevant experiences that communities enjoy.

Advancing health equity through social prescribing

The program has also meaningfully reached populations that have historically faced barriers to care, including Black/African American patients and women.

By reducing barriers and offering accessible, community-based experiences, Wellstar is advancing health equity and meeting patients where they are.

MARIETTA, Ga. — Wellstar Health System has named Kem Mullins as Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer. 

Mullins, a veteran healthcare executive with more than a decade of leadership experience at Wellstar, will oversee enterprise integration efforts, including Wellstar's recent acquisition of Mountain Lakes Medical Center and planned partnership with Stephens County Hospital. He will also oversee real estate and construction, facilities, emergency preparedness, implementation of Wellstar's operating model, and system support functions, including food and nutrition and environmental services. Kem will continue to lead acute and ambulatory operations until the national search for Wellstar's Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer is completed. 

Since joining Wellstar in 2012 as president of Wellstar Cobb Medical Center, Mullins has served in several key leadership positions across the system, including interim chief operating officer and, most recently, executive vice president of Wellstar's Ambulatory Division and Business Development. Prior to joining Wellstar, he served as CEO of Saint Francis Hospital Bartlett and was Chief Operating Officer at Atlanta Medical Center and NEA Medical Center. 

"Kem has a strong track record at Wellstar and has built trusted relationships across our system over many years of service," said Ketul J. Patel, president and CEO of Wellstar Health System. "Few leaders know Wellstar as well as Kem. He approaches his work thoughtfully and remains focused on supporting our teams and the people we serve. His deep experience and leadership will help advance important priorities across our system in the years ahead." 

In this role, Mullins will help lead several key priorities across Wellstar, supporting continued growth and ensuring strong coordination across critical operational and support functions. 

"Wellstar has a strong foundation with exceptional people and a clear vision for the future," Mullins said. "Having served in a variety of leadership roles across the system over the past 14 years, I'm honored to take on this responsibility supporting our teams and advancing the important work we're doing." 

MARIETTA and TOCCOA, Ga. (September 2, 2026) — Wellstar Health System and Stephens County Hospital announced today that they have reached an agreement for Stephens County Hospital and related entities to become part of Wellstar Health System. The transaction is expected to be completed toward the end of 2026, pending the conclusion of regulatory approvals.

The planned transaction represents a pivotal moment for the two trusted and vital organizations to come together to strengthen local healthcare and create capacity for additional specialized resources in and around Stephens County.

Stephens County Hospital is a longtime, trusted healthcare provider for Toccoa and surrounding North Georgia communities. The 96-bed acute care hospital has served patients and families throughout the region for nearly 90 years. Following regulatory approval, the hospital will become part of Wellstar.

Wellstar and Stephens County Hospital already share a strong relationship through their tele-stroke program collaboration, giving Stephens County community members access to advanced regional stroke and surgical capabilities.

As part of Wellstar, Stephens County Hospital will gain further access to a broad network of specialists and subspecialists, enhanced telehealth capabilities, advanced clinical expertise and the operational strengths of one of Georgia's leading integrated health systems. Wellstar's scale and resources will support the hospital's long-term vitality while allowing patients to continue receiving high-quality care close to home. "For Stephens County Hospital to serve its community so well for nearly a century requires exceptional talent, deep community trust and an unwavering commitment to its mission," said Wellstar President and CEO Ketul J. Patel. "We look forward to working together to build on the strong foundation already in place while creating new opportunities for the community through expanded access to specialized care, innovative services and the strength of an integrated health system."

The agreement reflects a mutual commitment to providing seamless connectivity across care settings, and greater access to specialized clinical expertise and the resources required to meet the evolving healthcare needs of the community.

"For generations, Stephens County Hospital has been a pillar of this community and a trusted healthcare provider for Toccoa, Stephens County and surrounding North Georgia," said Stephens County Hospital CEO Van Loskoski. "By joining Wellstar, we believe we can build on our strong relationships with patients, families and local physicians, while expanding access to specialized services and investing in the hospital's long-term future, so more people can receive the right care, in the right place, at the right time."

In the last few years, Stephens County Hospital has made thoughtful decisions to expand its surgical program, particularly in general surgery and orthopedics, which now features five operating rooms and two full-time orthopedic surgeons. The hospital also has built a tele-stroke program in partnership with Wellstar and has fortified its cardiovascular services.

“All of these improvements have been part of a thoughtful, strategic approach to position Stephens County Hospital to broaden access to specialty care in our communities, which is where we find ourselves today,” Loskoski said.

The planned transaction demonstrates Wellstar's continued momentum in thoughtfully expanding access to high-quality healthcare across Georgia by investing in strong community hospitals and connecting them to one of the Southeast's leading health systems. It builds on Wellstar's strategic growth across the state, enabling clinical expertise, advanced technology and best practices to be shared across communities while improving access to care closer to home.

Nothing changes for patients or the hospitals today. Wellstar and Stephens County Hospital confirmed that patients will continue to have access to the physicians, services and care teams they know and trust. Wellstar intends to take a thoughtful, phased approach to integration that prioritizes continuity for patients, clinicians and team members.

Additional information and updates will be shared with team members, clinicians, patients and the community as they become available.

About Wellstar Health System

Wellstar Health System is one of the largest nonprofit health systems in the Southeast and a growing destination for care across Georgia and beyond. Guided by its PeopleCare culture, Wellstar is advancing a bold vision to deliver exceptional quality, safety and patient experience while expanding access to world-class medicine. Today, 35,000 team members, one of the region’s largest physician networks and 13 hospitals, serve communities through more than 400 care locations, including cancer centers, rehabilitation facilities, urgent care centers and a digital care network that extends specialty expertise to community and rural hospitals. Wellstar’s nationally recognized programs span cardiology, neuroscience, oncology, orthopedics, pediatrics and other specialties, bringing advanced treatment closer to the people who need it.

Through partnerships that include Augusta University’s Medical College of Georgia, Wellstar helps educate future clinicians, accelerate discovery and translate research into real-world impact. Recognized as one of Fortune’s 100 Best Companies to Work For, Wellstar combines clinical excellence, innovation and collaboration to improve the health and well-being of every person it serves.

About Stephens County Hospital

Stephens County Hospital (SCH) is a 96-bed non-profit hospital which has been serving the North Georgia region since 1937. SCH employs nearly 500 people and boasts a medical staff of nearly 200 physicians and advanced practice providers. Stephens has a proven track record of providing exceptional healthcare having achieved in recent years several designations and awards including “Center of Excellence” status in Orthopedic Surgery from The Joint Commission, as well as being certified by the Department of Public Health as a Remote Treatment Stroke Center and as an Emergency Cardiac Care Center.

Stephens County Hospital provides a wide array of acute care services including Emergency Medicine, Hospitalist Medicine, 24/7 coverage for General and Orthopedic Surgery, as well as operating the Stephens County Emergency Medical Services. SCH also offers access to essential outpatient care with numerous ambulatory care centers providing Primary Care, Urgent Care, General Surgery, Orthopedic Surgery, Wound Care, and Physical Therapy services. SCH also offers a large array of other outpatient services including imaging, laboratory services, occupational health services, cardiac rehabilitation, outpatient infusions, and many additional services.

Through data-driven decision-making and a deeply committed workforce, Stephens has been able to expand greatly in recent years, adding and expanding services. A partnership with Wellstar helps to perpetuate that positive momentum.