Halloween 2023: Trick-or-TREAT and Play it Safe

ATLANTA, Ga., Oct. 17, 2024 – Wellstar Health System announced today that redevelopment of the former Atlanta Medical Center campus is set to begin in the coming weeks, led by The Integral Group and guided by the land-use plan unanimously approved by the Atlanta City Council last month with support from Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens.

“We will work closely with the city to build on its revitalization plan and bring to life our shared vision of a thriving, healthy addition to the Old Fourth Ward,” said Candice L. Saunders, president and CEO of Wellstar Health System.

To lead the redevelopment process, Wellstar has engaged The Integral Group, a nationally recognized, Atlanta-based firm that specializes in creating spaces that reflect the needs, character and history of their community.

The City of Atlanta placed a zoning moratorium on the property in 2022 and renewed it three times, most recently in June 2024. The moratorium expired October 15, 2024.

“For nearly two years, our administration has worked with purpose and intent on a thoughtful plan for the next chapter for this property,” said Mayor Dickens. “Through direct engagement with the Old Fourth Ward and surrounding stakeholders, we now have an opportunity to create an inclusive, forward-looking and thriving new development that meets the community’s needs for affordable housing, green space and safe streets—while maintaining some medical use and retaining the neighborhood’s unique character. I appreciate Wellstar moving forward with this community-driven project while our administration continues to explore options to meet the healthcare needs of residents on the Southside.”

The vision for the 22-acre campus includes a vibrant, diverse mixed-use neighborhood with affordable housing, residential properties, community and public green space, neighborhood-level retail, new street access, commercial uses, and health and well-being resources.

“At Integral, we believe that transforming a community requires more than just development—it requires a commitment to understanding and addressing the core needs of the people who live there,” said Egbert Perry, chairman of The Integral Group. “This project is a tremendous opportunity to create a lasting impact. It will honor the history of the area while shaping a vibrant, sustainable future.”

The nature of the health and well-being component will be determined in collaboration with community stakeholders as part of Integral’s comprehensive planning process and will include an in-depth analysis of the area’s healthcare needs.

Over the next few weeks, Integral will develop an implementation plan and engage with neighbors and community stakeholders to gather further feedback. The revitalization effort will take place in phases over several years, with community input at every stage. In response to the neighborhood’s desire to see progress quickly, Integral expects to apply for permits soon with the goal of beginning demolition of certain aging structures in the first quarter of 2025.

“This is a long-awaited new beginning for the Old Fourth Ward community," said Atlanta City Councilor Amir Farokhi. “These properties have enormous potential to meet our city’s and the neighborhood’s need for more dense, mixed-use development, including, hopefully, new housing.”

“The Old Fourth Ward sits at a crossroads of our city. This is a vital investment in the growth and advancement of this historic neighborhood for the betterment of all who live here,” said Tom Boyle, president of Old Fourth Ward Neighborhood Association. “We are ready to move ahead quickly with the next steps for this site and we are eager to work together throughout all phases of this project.”

The Wellstar Center for Health Equity has teamed up with Social Cascade, a health literacy platform designed to modernize patient education, to address health inequities across Georgia. This partnership is part of Wellstar’s Community Transformation Program and represents a shared commitment to improving health outcomes by using technology to bridge the gap between healthcare providers and patients. However, the partnership is about much more than what can be accomplished through technology; it is about empowering patients and making meaningful progress toward health equity.

At Wellstar, we have long believed that every person deserves the opportunity to live their healthiest life, regardless of their circumstances. The Center for Health Equity is committed to making healthcare accessible, equitable and dignified for everyone in Georgia. By implementing systemwide programs that address health disparities, Wellstar is creating lasting change across the state. Now, Social Cascade joins us in championing this important work that ensures everyone can access quality care, regardless of their background or circumstances.

A collaborative approach to health equity

Improving health inequities requires teamwork. No organization, policy or program can solve these complex issues alone. Wellstar’s new partnership with Social Cascade uses a collaborative approach to make a meaningful difference in the community.

Here’s how it works: Wellstar has identified five Georgia-based clinics and advocacy organizations focused on reducing health inequities. Social Cascade will give those clinics full access to its innovative AI-powered solutions to help them more easily reach the patients they serve and strengthen patient engagement. The five participating organizations are:

• Someone Cares 
• Giving Health
• Empowerment Resource Center
• Healthy Mother, Healthy Babies Coalition of Georgia
• CareLink of Northwest Georgia

These clinics and advocacy organizations serve some of the most vulnerable populations, offering crucial services to individuals and families who may face barriers to healthcare access. Together, Wellstar and Social Cascade aim to amplify their reach, ensuring their patients receive timely, accurate health information through the social media platforms they already use.

Leveraging technology to improve health outcomes and access

Many individuals struggle to find, understand and apply health-related information, leading to poor health outcomes and difficulties navigating an already complex healthcare system. Social Cascade’s role is to help improve this situation by making health information more accessible and actionable for patients through the organizations and providers patients already know and trust.

With Wellstar’s support, Social Cascade will help participating groups:

• Boost patient acquisition and engagement: Social Cascade’s platform will enable clinics to reach their patients more effectively, offering real-time advice, resources and support that align with their healthcare journeys.
• Promote equitable healthcare: By connecting clinics to their communities through digital channels, Social Cascade helps break down barriers to access, improving social determinants of health like access to healthcare, education and support services.

Both Wellstar and Social Cascade envision a future where organizations across Georgia can more easily connect with their patients, improve access to care and positively impact the social determinants of health in their communities over time. Our organizations look forward to sharing the positive outcomes of this partnership and continuing to drive change in healthcare through innovation and collaboration.

We are pleased to announce that Dr. Earl Stewart Jr. has accepted the role of medical director of health equity at Wellstar.

Dr. Stewart, a native of Augusta, graduated with honors from Mercer University and Meharry Medical College. He completed his internal medicine residency at Brown University. His clinical interests include heart disease prevention, the effects of the environment and climate on health, health equity and the connection between spirituality and medicine.

He is a fellow of the American College of Physicians and a member of the National Medical Association, the American Association for Physician Leadership and the Arnold P. Gold Foundation for Humanism in Medicine. He actively serves in various capacities at both the state and national levels with these organizations.

"Growing up in Augusta, I saw family members in rural areas near Augusta struggle to access healthcare,” Dr. Stewart said. “That experience shaped my desire to improve access to care, which remains a key driver for me today."

His passion for making a difference is rooted in the belief that everyone should have access to the care they need, no matter where they live or their background. This personal connection continues to fuel his dedication to creating more inclusive healthcare.

"Many of us from underrepresented groups pursue medicine to advocate for equitable healthcare for those with similar experiences,” said Dr. Stewart on the importance of community care. “Despite advancements in care, these issues still persist."

In his new role, Dr. Stewart will partner with executive leadership and nursing teams to develop strategies for fostering diversity, equity and inclusion at Wellstar, leading initiatives to improve patient experiences, enhance cultural competency, boost employee engagement and strengthen community partnerships.

Dr. Stewart emphasized collaboration and innovation saying, "We are working to implement the PREVENT (Predicting Risk of cardiovascular disease EVENTs) tool to more accurately assess cardiovascular risk for patients,” he said. “We are also gearing up for the 2025 Community Health Needs Assessment to improve care, clinician data resources, and partnerships focusing on addressing the health care needs for all we serve, especially underserved groups."

Additionally, Dr. Stewart will help guide the Wellstar Center for Health Equity in addressing social determinants of health and reducing disparities.

"Improving diversity, equity and inclusivity in healthcare is no longer optional for health care systems—it's a requirement,” said Dr. Stewart. “Accreditation, certification and reimbursement all depend on it and we must embrace this new reality."

Reflecting on his roots, Dr. Stewart is ready to give back to the community he grew up in. "I'm thrilled that these initiatives will extend to Wellstar MCG Health Medical Center, Wellstar Children's Hospital of Georgia and Wellstar Georgia Cancer Center in Augusta, where I first learned the ropes and prepared for a career of practicing medicine."