Wellstar Children’s Hospital of Georgia dedicates new lobby to pioneering Pediatric Surgeon Dr. Charles Howell
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.
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