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Wellstar MCG Health Medical Center

Wellstar MCG Health Medical Center offers the most advanced comprehensive care to the people of Augusta and the surrounding areas. Our highly trained physicians, nurses and staff provide patient-centered, collaborative care from diagnosis through recovery. At our 520-bed tertiary hospital, we provide cutting-edge technology and extensive expertise to create a healthcare experience that delivers high-quality care for your medical, surgical, rehabilitative or emergency needs. Wellstar MCG Health has a Kidney and Pancreas Transplant Program and is designated as a Level I Trauma Center and Advanced Comprehensive Stroke Center.

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Address

1120 15th Street
Augusta GA 30912

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(706) 721-0211
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(706) 721- 6045
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About Wellstar MCG Health Medical Center

Wellstar MCG Health Medical Center offers the most advanced comprehensive care to the people of Augusta and the surrounding areas. Our highly trained physicians, nurses and staff provide patient-centered, collaborative care from diagnosis through recovery. At our 520-bed tertiary hospital, we provide cutting-edge technology and extensive expertise to create a healthcare experience that delivers high-quality care for your medical, surgical, rehabilitative or emergency needs. Wellstar MCG Health has a Kidney and Pancreas Transplant Program and is designated as a Level I Trauma Center and Advanced Comprehensive Stroke Center.

The Academic Medical Center Advantage
As the CSRA’s only academic medical center, we provide a remarkable advantage when it comes to your care. Through our exclusive partnership with Medical College of Georgia, we offer access to the latest treatments, advancing your healthcare options. At Wellstar MCG Health, you benefit because: 

  • Patients have access to a full range of primary, specialty and subspecialty care given by board-certified and fellowship-trained specialists—the most advanced level of education and training in healthcare.
  • Physicians are constantly translating discoveries into new treatment options that revolutionize medicine, which they offer to their patients first. That includes clinical trials that could connect qualifying patients with treatments and/or counsel free of charge.
 
That’s the power of an academic medical center. And in this region, it’s only at Wellstar, affiliated with Medical College of Georgia. Our team members are renowned for partnering with you, starting with your routine care. At every step, we’re dedicated to your health and well-being.  
 
Dining
Terrace Café
Our main restaurant features cafeteria-style dining, with breakfast, lunch and dinner items, as well as daily lunch specials, a salad bar, freshly prepared sandwiches, grilled items, pizza, desserts, snacks and more.
Wellstar MCG Health Medical Center, 2nd Floor
Monday – Friday, 7 AM – 7 PM
Saturday – Sunday, 7 AM – 2:30 PM

Additional dining options across our campus include Chick-fil-A, Subway, vending machines and Atrium Dining Hall at Augusta University, which is open to all.

Wireless Internet
Free Wi-Fi is available to patients and visitors.

Gift Shops
There are two gift shops on our medical campus. Lori’s Gift Shop, located on the first floor of Wellstar Children’s Hospital of Georgia, and The Image Boutique, on the first floor of Wellstar Georgia Cancer Center.

Interfaith Chapel
There are several places on our campus that are dedicated to quiet, peaceful meditation. They are for use by all people of all faiths and creeds.

Wellstar MCG Health Medical Center Chapel
2nd Floor, Room 2437

Wellstar Children’s Hospital of Georgia Chapel
1st Floor, Room 1911

Wellstar Georgia Cancer Center Outpatient Services Meditation Retreat
1st Floor

Parking Options at Wellstar MCG Health Medical Center

Visitor and Patient Parking

There is no charge for visitor parking in any of the decks or lots on Wellstar MCG Health Medical Center campus. Wellstar MCG Health is not responsible for loss from or damage to vehicles. The visitors deck offers convenient access to the main entrance.

If you are dropping off or picking up an inpatient, having an endoscopic procedure, an outpatient surgery, a mammogram, an X-ray, Wellstar Multiple Sclerosis Care, Wellstar Rehabilitation Services or other services offered at the Wellstar MCG Health Medical Center, please park in the 15th Street Parking Deck. Enter the deck where it says Patient/Visitor Parking.

Visitor Information

Visitor Check-in Information

Wellstar hospitals are a safe space. All adult visitors must check in at the desk with a photo ID and wear a visitor badge at all times. Click here for more information.

Visitation Policy

Essential Caregiver (Visitor)
  • Wear required personal protective equipment within the hospital.
  • Take necessary precautions to stay healthy at all times, which includes wearing a mask, social distancing and frequently washing hands.
  • Help maintain and secure patient belongings.
  • Serve as the primary point of contact and help communicate to the patient’s family and friends.
  • Provide emotional support to your loved one in partnership with the clinical team.
  • Attend Interdisciplinary Rounds, when possible.
  • Assist with providing relevant history about the patient’s care.
  • Please follow all instructions from the care team.

Tobacco Policy

Our campus is tobacco-free. Tobacco use of any kind including e-cigarettes and smokeless tobacco is not permitted anywhere on hospital grounds. Your cooperation is appreciated.


Wi-Fi

Wellstar offers wireless internet service. Access is available in public areas of the hospital at no charge. For assistance or technical questions, call Wandering Wi-Fi Customer Care at (877) 943-4463.

Accreditations & Recognition

Level I Emergency Cardiac Care Center
Wellstar MCG Health Medical Center has been designated as a Level I Emergency Cardiac Care Center by the Georgia Department of Public Health, Office of EMS and Trauma. The designation is for a period of three four years, ending December 31, 2026.
 
Advanced Comprehensive Stroke Center
Wellstar MCG Health Medical Center has been awarded a collaborative certification by The Joint Commission and the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association

Get With The Guidelines Quality Achievement Awards
Get With The Guidelines puts the unparalleled expertise of the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association to work for hospitals nationwide, helping ensure the care provided to patients is aligned with the latest research-based guidelines based on the latest scientific evidence. Wellstar MCG Health has received the following:

Get With The Guidelines Heart Failure Gold Plus 2023
2023 Get With The Guidelines
Heart Failure: Gold Plus
Target: Heart Failure Honor Roll
Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll
Get With The Guidelines Stoke Target: Stroke Honor Roll - Elite Plus: Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll 
2021 Get With The Guidelines
Stroke: Gold Plus
Target: Stroke Elite Plus Honor Roll
Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll

Trauma 
American College of Surgeons recognizes Wellstar MCG Health Medical Center as a Level I Trauma Center. Wellstar Children's Hospital of Georgia is a Level II Pediatric Trauma Center.

Digital Health Most Wired
Wellstar MCG Health Medical Center has been recognized by the College of Healthcare Information Management Executives in 2023 for our team’s exceptional dedication to excellence in digital health for patients as a Level 7 Acute and Level 7 Ambulatory digital health provider.

Level 7 Ambulatory Award
 
2021 'U.S. News and World Report' - Top Hospital Recognition
As reported in the 30th annual Best Hospitals Rankings from U.S. News and World Report, Wellstar MCG Health Medical Center was ranked as a high-performing hospital in four conditions:
Heart attack
Heart failure
Kidney failure
Stroke
COVID-19 Info

Services


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Heart Care

Comprehensive, cardiac care you can count on.
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Emergency Care

State-of-the-art facility delivering quality and compassionate care.
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Neuro Care

Expert care for brain and spine disease and injury, including stroke care.
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Orthopedics

No matter the injury, we’ve got everything you need to get moving again.
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Women's Health

Specialty care for every stage of life.
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General Surgery

From elective to trauma, specializing in procedures with quicker recovery. 
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Child & Adolescent Care

Personalized, world-class care for children and young adults.
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Labor & Delivery

Ensuring your birth experience is as comfortable and joyous as possible.
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Diagnostic

Imaging & Lab

Offering a full range of state-of-the-art imaging and lab services.
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Digestive Health Center

Our expert team of digestive health specialists uses the latest techniques to deliver best-in-class care for patients with digestive and weight management disorders.
 
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Medical Oncology

Our medical oncologists give patients access to the latest in genetically based targeted therapies, immunotherapy and chemotherapy to fight various types of cancer.
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Ongoing Care

Rehabilitation Services

Rehab designed to regain movement and function in daily life.
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Air Care

Helicopter medical transport service for critically ill or injured adult, pediatric and neonatal patients
 
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Service

Transplant Services

The Kidney and Pancreas Transplant Program at Wellstar MCG Health offers comprehensive, patient-centered transplant care with exceptional outcomes and innovative donor programs.
 
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Ongoing Care

Trauma Care

As the region’s only Level I Trauma Center, our experts are ready to care for people with life-threatening injuries 24/7.
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Ear, Nose and Throat

Medical and surgical solutions for hearing, balance, snoring and sinus issues. 
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Upcoming Events

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For the health and safety of our communities during the COVID-19 pandemic, all events and classes are limited. For a complete list, see our event calendar.

News


A friendly photo of Dale Crail. Reads "DaleCare."

DaleCare

When Dale Crail took the Galleri multi-cancer early detection test at Wellstar MCG Health Medical Center, he didn’t expect to uncover cancer. But early results led to swift action—and now he’s encouraging others to take charge of their health too.

A proactive tool to screen for cancer

Retired life was going well for Dale. The Evans resident enjoyed casting a line on the small lake near his home and cheering on his great-nieces and nephews at their sporting events. Cancer? That was the last thing on his mind.

But during an annual wellness visit, Dale’s longtime Wellstar primary care physician, Dr. Thad Wilkins, introduced him and his wife to Galleri—a groundbreaking blood test that screens for many of the deadliest cancers before symptoms develop. Wellstar MCG Health is the first hospital in Georgia to offer the test, which is performed with a single blood draw.

“Multi-cancer early detection screening offers my patients a way to screen for more than 50 cancer types,” explained Dr. Wilkins. “And that's in addition to the five cancers that we can screen for now, like prostate, breast, cervical, colon and, in some cases, lung cancer ."

Galleri is recommended for adults with an elevated risk for cancer, including those age 50 and older. Dr. Wilkins had taken the test himself and encouraged the couple to consider adding it to their routine lab work.

At first, they passed. Dale’s wife, a cancer survivor, eventually decided to take it. Fortunately, her results came back with no cancer signal detected.

Dale continued to think about it.

“I do whatever Dr. Wilkins tells me to do,” he said with a smile. “He takes a very active interest in my health and my wife's health and tells us what we should do and when we should do it. I’ve been with him over 20 years.”

At his next visit, Dale felt a nudge—and decided it was time. He left his physician’s office, walked across the street to Wellstar MCG Health and went to the lab for the quick and convenient blood test.

“I think God smiled on me that day and said, ‘Dale, you need to take this test,’” he shared.

An unexpected result

Just days after his blood draw, Dale received a call from Dr. Wilkins. The Galleri test was positive, with a cancer signal origin in the head and neck.

“For patients with a positive Galleri test, it's very important for me as their primary care physician to know that,” Dr. Wilkins said. “Not only do I get a positive cancer signal, but it also tells me where in the body that I need to look.”

“It was surprising,” Dale said of receiving the news. “Very surprising to hear that you've got the potential to have cancer in your body.”

Dale quickly underwent follow-up diagnostic testing at Wellstar MCG Health. First, he had a CAT scan, followed by a PET scan. Both confirmed the presence of cancer.

It was a lot to take in. Dale’s wife, having previously walked through her own cancer diagnosis, knew how hard the road could be. They were both worried—but deeply grateful the cancer was caught so early.

According to Dr. Wilkins, “The value of early treatment for cancer is that oftentimes you can avoid extensive surgery, and you may avoid radiation or chemotherapy.”

Personalized care, swift action

Dale was referred to Dr. Daniel Sharbel, a board-certified otolaryngologist and head and neck surgeon who specializes in head and neck oncology.

“In my field, if you catch an early throat or oropharyngeal cancer, you're able to offer patients less intensive treatment strategies,” explained Dr. Sharbel. “If patients show up with more advanced tumors, then they may require multimodal treatments. … When caught early, they may be able to get just one treatment strategy: surgery or radiation.”

Because Dale’s cancer was caught so early, Dr. Sharbel was able to perform a radical tonsillectomy and neck dissection using transoral robotic surgery—a minimally invasive approach that offered the best chance at a full recovery without additional treatment.

“We had clear margins, and he had no adverse features that were indicators for needing radiation after surgery, and only one positive lymph node with cancer in it,” Dr. Sharbel said. “That allowed us to recommend sparing him radiation therapy after surgery.”

For Dale, the speed of diagnosis and the opportunity for early intervention made all the difference.

“Early detection of my cancer gave me an option of having surgery as quickly as allowable and neutralizing the cancer that was in my body,” Dale said. “My cancer was detected so early that the surgery was much less than what it would've been a year or two years down the road.”

Dr. Sharbel said Dale’s early diagnosis gave him the best possible path forward.

“He’s done great after surgery,” he said. “He’s got a great prognosis for five-year overall and disease-free survival. I think he’s going to continue to do very well.”

Dale said the care he received at Wellstar MCG Health stood out at every step—from diagnosis to surgery to recovery.

“My surgeon, after performing surgery in the morning, came by my room about 7:30 that evening and spent a good half an hour with me just talking,” Dale said of Dr. Sharbel. “And he needed to go home. He has a family, and he took the time to come and spend a lot longer with me than I may have expected. … The care has just been fantastic.”

For Dr. Sharbel, Dale’s experience reflects what’s possible when innovation and early detection come together.

“This is the story of a big win for patient care,” he said. “This is exactly what you want out of this test. You want to be able to get somebody a minimally invasive approach and spare them radiation where they don't have to deal with the lasting effects of radiation therapy. I mean, that's huge.”

Looking ahead with gratitude

Today, Dale is cancer-free. He’s back to the life he loves—fishing, spending time with family and encouraging others to be proactive about their health. But he knows the future isn’t guaranteed.

“The cancer is gone,” he said. “I always end that statement, though, ‘for right now.’”

That’s one reason why the Galleri test can be taken annually. Because deadly cancers can develop at any time—and some can progress quickly, even in less than a year—routine screening offers ongoing peace of mind.

However, “for patients like Dale, who had a confirmed head and neck cancer, it’s recommended that we wait three years before we resume annual Galleri testing,” Dr. Wilkins noted.

Dale says the combination of early detection and compassionate, expert care played a key role in his recovery.

“I’m very appreciative of the Galleri test and the quick action that was taken on my behalf by everyone at Wellstar MCG Health,” he said. “The Galleri test detected a cancer signal so early that I was very fortunate to have the cancer treated.”

He’s also become an advocate, sharing his experience with those close to him.

“I would—and I have—encouraged friends and family to look into the Galleri test,” Dale said. “Knowing what I've gone through and how it detected my cancer at such an early stage, they're thinking seriously about taking the test.”

Make an appointment with your Wellstar MCG Health clinician to discuss if the Galleri multi-cancer early detection is right for you, or call (706) 721-9335 for more information about the test.

To schedule a wellness check, find a Wellstar primary care physician near you.

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Publications & Articles


Dr. Sergio and Roxann Bustos

Wellstar MCG Health Medical Center Provides Hospital-Level Care in Patients’ Homes

Augusta, Ga. (Feb. 5, 2025) – When Dr. Sergio Bustos, 92, fell and developed a bruise that swelled and didn’t improve, his family brought him to the Emergency Department at Wellstar MCG Health Medical Center. The attending physician prescribed treatment that included IV antibiotics and the opportunity to receive hospital-level care from the comfort of his home. Bustos and his family were surprised and elated. He became Georgia’s first Hospital Care at Home patient.

As its name suggests, the Hospital Care at Home program allows patients who meet certain criteria to be admitted to the hospital while remaining comfortable at home. The benefits include shorter recovery times and regular visits by care providers who can identify and address environmental issues that may lead to being re-admitted to the hospital.

When physicians decide that a patient is a good candidate for the program, the patient is provided with equipment to monitor their vital signs and a tablet for virtual physician visits. Nurses virtually monitor vital signs around the clock while other care team members, including nurses and paramedics, make in-home visits multiple times a day to administer IV antibiotics, capture vital signs, assess the home for safety, complete virtual visits with the physician team and ensure the patient is improving toward discharge.

“The Hospital Care at Home program is a game changer for eligible patients, especially those who are elderly and respond better to treatment in their more familiar environments,” said Dr. Matt Lyon, director of the MCG Center for Digital Health at the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University. “We combine technology and in-home visits to produce better health outcomes.”

“The patient first has to meet criteria for hospitalization, and then meet the criteria for Hospital Care at Home by an in-person physician consultation,” continued Lyon. “While the patient must need hospitalization, they also need to be mobile, and their condition can’t be too critical. Someone who needs a lot of monitoring is not a good candidate. They also need to live close enough to Wellstar MCG Health in case they need to quickly return to the hospital.”

If at any point a patient begins having problems and needs more acute care, they are immediately transferred back to the brick-and-mortar hospital.

Bustos’ daughter, Susana Chacon, who is an occupational therapist, was thrilled her father could receive hospital-level care at home. She was concerned that at his age, he would respond better to receiving care in a familiar setting.

“Hospitals are wonderful when you need them, but being out of place for older people can cause confusion. You can’t eat or sleep like you can at home, where you have your own bed, bathroom, things like that. As an occupational therapist, I think the best place ever to recover, if possible, is at home. You’re going to be able to function so much better,” she said.

First authorized in 2020 by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the Hospital Care at Home program provides hospitals with expanded flexibility to care for patients and was recently extended by Congress through the end of March 2025. Proponents of Hospital Care at Home hope that Congress will continue to extend the program.

“I am very pleased with the experience,” said Bustos. “Any time that I had any questions, they were answered. The medical team was wonderful, and my wife and family were more comfortable spending time with me.”

Bustos was successfully discharged from Wellstar MCG Health’s Hospital Care at Home program a few days after being admitted. The virtual care team continued to follow Bustos for 30 days, supporting him and his family with scheduling appointments, delivering medication, arranging for social support and providing quick access to a healthcare provider if needed.

According to Becker’s Hospital Review, the four most common conditions treated through hospital-at-home programs are respiratory, circulatory, renal (kidney) and infectious disease.

“Advances in technology have opened opportunities for more personalized healthcare that were previously unimaginable,” said Dr. Hank Capps, executive vice president, chief information and digital officer at Wellstar. “We’re always looking for ways to improve the patient experience. Offering hospital-level care at home, when it’s appropriate, is the newest way that we’re providing Georgians with the compassionate care that they need.”

Keep reading
Published on: February 2025
A friendly image of patient and baby

Grant Provides No-Cost Support for Pregnant Women and New Parents in Three Georgia Counties

Lead Khristen Flennoy is on a mission. As the new director of the Wellstar Healthy Start program, she wants to enroll hundreds of women in Butts, Spalding and Troup counties in a program that cares for mothers and babies before, during and after childbirth.

“There is a great need to expand women’s health services in Butts, Spalding and Troup counties, and we’re grateful for the resources the Healthy Start grant provides,” said Flennoy. “After an extremely competitive application process, Wellstar is now part of Healthy Start’s 33-year legacy of improving the health of women and families. I am ecstatic to lead the charge alongside a dynamic team to create a lasting impact for the people in these communities.”

For the first time in her new role, Flennoy led a community consortium meeting on Friday, October 25. The group was formed to serve as a voice for the community after Wellstar received the $5.5 million Healthy Start federal grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Health Resources and Services Administration. The highly competitive grant invests in communities to improve health outcomes before, during and after pregnancies.

According to the Georgia Department of Health, maternal deaths during pregnancy are increasing. Black women are twice as likely as white women to die from pregnancy-related causes. Wellstar is the first grant recipient in the state to embed the Healthy Start program in its OB/GYN offices.

Participants include pregnant women, new moms of babies up to 18 months old, and fathers and other caregivers. So far, more than 50 participants in Butts, Spalding and Troup counties have signed up. Many are already receiving the services at no cost, which include case managers, nurse navigators and doula services, as well as classes on pregnancy and infant care, parenting and nutrition. The grant also covers transportation needs.

“This grant allows us to better connect clinical expertise with community support to improve the health of women and families in Georgia counties that have the greatest need," said Preston Hendrickson, assistant vice president of Women’s Health at Wellstar. “We’re thrilled about the opportunities that the Healthy Start grant will make available to families that live, work and play in Butts, Spalding and Troup counties.”

A family’s income or insurance status does not factor into who qualifies. Any expectant or new parent can receive care through the program. To apply, fill out the confidential questionnaire at wellstar.org/healthystart.

This article is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of an award totaling $5.5 million with 0% financed with nongovernmental sources. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement by, HRSA, HHS or the U.S. government.

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Published on: November 2024
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