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Coale Peace Named 2025 National Champion for the Children’s Miracle Network
Published on February 04, 2025
Last updated 02:18 PM February 04, 2025
When Coale Peace learned he had been chosen to be a 2025 National Champion by the
Children’s Miracle Network,
he asked his mom, “Does that mean me and 12 other kids are going to take over the world?”
That spunky attitude belies the painful condition Coale lives with every day: osteogenesis imperfecta, or OI. It is also known as “brittle bone disease.” His bones break with very little cause or provocation.
His spirit, however, is definitely not broken.
Coale is one of the most vivacious 6-year-olds you’ll ever meet. He will enter a room, hop out of his wheelchair and ask a thousand questions. He doesn’t mind telling you about his OI, either.
Coale’s mother, Rebecca Peace, said after they giggled for a minute following his question, she realized that Coale, despite his limitations, can do anything he puts his mind to.
He will join 12 children from across the U.S. to share their success stories. He is one example of the great work being done at children’s hospitals like
Wellstar Children’s Hospital of Georgia,
a Children’s Miracle Network hospital. His work as a National Champion will help encourage communities across North America to support kids like himself.
“To know Coale is to love him! He is a true joy to be around and always keeps you laughing,” said Kelsey McCullough, senior Children’s Miracle Network philanthropy coordinator at Wellstar Children’s. “We are so excited for this incredible opportunity for him and his family.”
Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals brings people together to raise funds for 170 member hospitals across the U.S. and Canada. These funds provide support for treatments, equipment and programming that help ensure the best possible care for every child.
“I think this is just the beginning of an amazing adventure of spreading awareness, making new friends and representing our local children’s hospital,” Rebecca said. “What an honor to be chosen out of so many amazing children with equally amazing stories.”
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Wellstar Partners with Feeding the Valley to Improve Food Access and Nutrition
Wellstar Center for Health Equity and Wellstar West Georgia Medical Center have launched the Food as Medicine program. In partnership with Feeding the Valley Food Bank, this initiative supports Wellstar’s strategy to improve food access in high-need communities.
Patients will be screened during primary care visits at offices in the LaGrange area for food insecurity. Clinicians will then connect patients who screen positive for food insecurity to a medically tailored meal program offered by Feeding the Valley.
Participants will receive 10 healthy, prepared meals each week for 90 days. They will also gain access to Cooking Matters classes held at Wellstar West Georgia’s Enoch Callaway Cancer Center, where they will learn to shop for and cook healthy meals on a budget. By equipping patients with practical nutrition knowledge, budget-friendly cooking skills and a three-month supply of healthy meals, Wellstar aims to support people in making lasting, health-boosting changes to their diets and overall well-being. While food insecurity is a concern identified by our Community Health Needs Assessment, diabetes and other diet-related illnesses are also a major threat to our community’s well-being.
Wellstar is increasingly working toward healthy food solutions that address both food access and health. Our efforts with Wellstar Mobile Markets, in partnership with Goodr, and our food rescue initiatives, in collaboration with Goodr and Second Helpings Atlanta, show our commitment to increasing food access.
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Wellstar Expands Obstetrics and Gynecology Services in Spalding, Upson Counties
Wellstar Health System announced Wednesday the expansion of its
obstetrics and gynecology
services in Spalding and Upson counties.
Griffin OB-GYN Clinic has joined the health system as Wellstar Spalding OB/GYN.
“This addition reflects Wellstar’s commitment to providing world-class care for every woman, every time in the communities it serves,” said Preston Hendrickson, Wellstar assistant vice president of
Women’s Health
Services.
Patients from Griffin OB-GYN Clinic’s primary location, its Thomaston office, and Renew Gynecology will transition to the new practice. Most services will move to a new medical office building near
Wellstar Spalding Medical Center,
including immediate upcoming appointments for Thomaston patients. The existing Thomaston location will officially open to serve patients at a later date. The phone number for the clinic will remain unchanged.
“As part of Wellstar, caregivers will be able to connect patients to an expanded network of specialists, advanced technologies and centralized resources,” Hendrickson said. “The transition to Epic and MyChart for electronic medical records will also grant them access to integrated patient information, ensuring more comprehensive care.”
This integration also aligns with Wellstar’s broader commitment to addressing maternal and infant health disparities. Through the support of the
Healthy Start
program, Wellstar is actively addressing maternal and infant health in Spalding, Butts and Troup counties. This initiative prioritizes pregnant women at higher risk of health complications, demonstrating Wellstar’s dedication to improving outcomes for both mothers and infants.
Wellstar continues to increase access to care in Spalding and nearby counties, opening new primary care and neurology clinics in 2024 and previously opening or expanding clinics for cardiology, oncology, orthopedics and gastroenterology. Wellstar also recently expanded its graduate medical education program at Wellstar Spalding, knowing that new physicians are more likely to stay in the communities where they begin their careers. The health system has more than 900 team members in Spalding.
Wellstar has earned multiple awards—including Fortune’s 100 Best Companies to Work For—for its strong and diverse culture.
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