Wellstar Paulding Medical Center is the first hospital in North America to join the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower network. Adopted by the hospital’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging (DEIB) Council, the initiative aims to help people who have disabilities that are not immediately obvious, such as visual or hearing impairments, autism, chronic pain, dementia or anxiety.
“We want to foster a sense of belonging and respect for every patient, family member and team member,” said Rev. Dr. Rhonda James-Jones, manager of Spiritual Health at Wellstar Paulding Medial Center & Nursing Rehabilitation Center. “Paired with education and other care initiatives, the Sunflower will enable every member of our team to provide the highest quality, most personal care for patients with invisible disabilities.
At the hospital, the official Hidden Disabilities Sunflower logo — a yellow sunflower on a green background — is placed on the door of a patient with a disability. The Sunflower symbol discreetly indicates to patient-facing team members that the wearer needs additional support or a little more time when a diagnosis or procedure is explained.
“The Sunflower will help us in our efforts to honor every voice at Wellstar,” said Tricia Everitte, a Wellstar registered respiratory therapist and Sunflower program initiative lead.
Everitt introduced the effort to the hospital because she cares for people with hidden disabilities both professionally and personally.
She added, “Several nurses and other team members have shared that they have people with hidden disabilities in their lives and are proud to work at a hospital that will go the extra mile to meet their needs.”
The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower has been adopted globally across all public sectors including major airports, supermarkets, entertainment and sports venues, government programs, public safety services and an increasing number of businesses, large and small.
“Our aim is to help make the invisible, visible,” said Paul White, CEO, The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower. “We’re thrilled to welcome Wellstar Paulding Medical Center to the global Hidden Disabilities Sunflower network. As the first hospital in North America to join the Sunflower, we champion and share their drive to support people with non-visible disabilities within the healthcare sector.”
The Sunflower is another layer of support as the team at Wellstar Paulding seeks to provide high-quality healthcare to every person, every time. Patients at Wellstar Paulding also have access to whole person-centered care provided by clinically trained chaplains and pet therapists, as well as through technology such as adaptive phones and interpretation services.
Wellstar Paulding Medical Center Joins Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Network
Wellstar supports global initiative to bring extra awareness and care to unseen disabilities
Published on June 19, 2023
Last updated 11:10 AM June 19, 2023
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We’re Offering No-Cost Telehealth to Underserved Communities
Many people in low-income neighborhoods go without essential healthcare services, with reasons including lack of insurance, unreliable transportation or inflexible work schedules. At Wellstar Center for Health Equity, we’re excited to offer a simple solution for people living in northwest Atlanta: no-cost digital health services. Digital health services, also called telehealth or telemedicine, allow people to schedule virtual visits with a healthcare professional to access the care they need—when they need it.
This solution is possible thanks to a partnership between Wellstar, Family Life Restoration Center in Mableton and Giving Health, a Georgia-based telemedicine provider. To participate, people can sign up at Family Life Restoration Center. Then, they can schedule online telehealth appointments using a phone, smart device or computer. The program provides 24/7 access to:
- Primary care providers for urgent and non-urgent needs
- Mental health counselors
- Free lab testing
- Referrals to other providers and community services
Participants can use the digital health service for up to a year. Staff and volunteers at Family Life Restoration Center can help participants apply for Medicaid and find a primary care practice when they are ready.
Health and wellness success with telehealth
While the telehealth program is new, Giving Health has provided telehealth for low-income and uninsured people since 2019. They also offer after-hours digital health services for many clinics in the Wellstar Community Clinic Network.
Family Life Restoration Center is also part of the Wellstar Community Clinic Network, which was launched nearly 10 years ago to better serve the most vulnerable and under-resourced people in our communities.
Many people in Mableton and other areas in South Cobb County are living below the poverty line. Many do not have a primary care provider or health insurance. Round-the-clock access to telehealth can make a significant impact on people’s lives, helping them experience better health and avoid unnecessary trips to the emergency department.
The Family Life Restoration Center provides community members with food, clothing, spiritual encouragement and referrals to nearby social services. Wellstar has worked with the center for over a decade to meet the community’s needs, including vaccination clinics, health screenings and patient education programs.
Check out the Wellstar Find Help Tool
Another way we’re meeting health needs in our community is with the Wellstar Find Help Tool. It allows people to search for free or reduced-cost resources, including:
- Clothing
- Financial assistance
- Food
- Housing
- Legal aid
- Personal care items
- Transportation
The tool, available in several languages, is one of several Wellstar initiatives to improve the health well-being of every person we serve by connecting them with resources such as nutritious foods, housing and education.
Learn more about the Wellstar Center for Health Equity.
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Wellstar Health System Releases 1-Year Progress Report on Affiliation with Augusta University’s Medical College of Georgia
AUGUSTA, Ga. (Dec. 2, 2024) – Wellstar MCG Health is transforming healthcare in the state and advancing medical education for the next generation of caregivers. A new 1-year progress report details the significant strides that have been made since Wellstar Health System and Augusta University’s Medical College of Georgia (MCG) joined forces last year.
This strategic affiliation combines Augusta University’s academic excellence and research capabilities with Wellstar’s extensive healthcare expertise and resources. Since beginning the partnership on Aug. 30, 2023, Wellstar MCG Health has improved access to care, made substantial investments in facilities, and expanded innovative programs aimed at serving Georgia’s unique healthcare needs.
Highlights from the Year-One Progress Report:
- Expanded Access to Care:
- Hired 129 new physicians, a net increase of 60 doctors in the region.
- Opened multiple urgent care centers and launched the mobile "On the Go Primary Care" van to serve underserved communities.
- Enhanced Facilities and Technology:
- Funded more than $82 million in capital improvements, including the first major remodeling of the Children’s Hospital of Georgia since it opened in 1998.
- Modernized or replaced ultrasound equipment, operating room equipment, x-ray machines, anesthesia machines, defibrillators, and imaging workstations, among many other improvements.
- Completed implementation of the Epic electronic medical records system well ahead of schedule in just 14 months, enhancing quality, safety, and accessibility for patients and clinicians alike.
- Support for Healthcare Workers:
- Increased the minimum wage to $15 per hour, provided raises for 1,500 team members, and expanded wellness benefits, including mental health support and family care services.
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Advancements in Digital Health:
- Partnered with more than 20 rural hospitals to provide telehealth services, allowing 75% of patients to remain in their local communities for care.
- Became the first and only hospital in Georgia approved to offer an Acute Care Hospital at Home program.
“We’re proud of the progress we’ve made in this first year,” said Candice L. Saunders, president and CEO of Wellstar Health System. “From expanding access to care and enhancing our facilities to investing in our people, we’re dedicated to a brighter, healthier future for Georgia. This partnership is a testament to what we can achieve when we bring together academic and healthcare excellence.”
Dr. Russell Keen, president of Augusta University, added, “A great example of how Wellstar and Augusta University are collectively improving the lives of Georgians is the ongoing collaboration between MCG researchers and clinicians in the Georgia Cancer Center, the Children’s Hospital of Georgia and the MCG Center for Telehealth. I couldn’t be more pleased with the collaborative spirit, shared passion and culture of innovation that permeate Augusta University and Wellstar Health System.”
The Wellstar and Augusta University/Medical College of Georgia partnership will continue to evolve and expand its impact, with projects such as the new Wellstar Columbia County Medical Center, affiliated with the Medical College of Georgia, slated to open in 2026, which will bring acute care services to Georgia’s largest county without an existing hospital.
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First Responders Warn About Dangers of Improper Turkey Frying
In a fiery demonstration on Wednesday, nurses from the Joseph M. Still Burn Centers at Wellstar Cobb Medical Center joined Cobb County firefighters to showcase why it’s essential to be vigilant during the holidays to prevent burn wounds and fires.
News cameras began recording as firefighters in full gear used a long rod to lower a frozen turkey into a fryer full of overheated vegetable oil. Immediately, a violent splash of hot oil spilled from the fryer and burst into a flash flame that extended 5 feet outward and roughly 20 feet high. It would have been a disaster if that scenario had played out during a family’s Thanksgiving feast.
At the demonstration, team members from the Burn Center at Wellstar Cobb told reporters that cooking mishaps are among the most frequent causes of the burn injuries they treat and shared safety tips that can help keep the holidays merry and bright.
“Please be extremely careful while deep frying your turkeys this holiday season,” said nurse Imani Hence of Wellstar Cobb’s inpatient burn unit. “Everyone loves fried turkey, but we have seen a lot of instances where turkey fryers have tipped over, causing significant burn injuries from the grease.”
Burn Program Manager Nadine Lynch said it’s crucial to maintain a “kid-free zone” around cooking areas, whether indoors or outdoors.
“It’s wonderful when the whole family pitches in, but make sure to keep hot liquids away from table edges,” she said. “Use potholders when cooking. Unplug cooking sources when no longer needed and use long-handled tools for grilling and frying.”
Emily Black, clinical coordinator at Wellstar Cobb’s burn, wound and hyperbaric outpatient clinic, said that when kids are out of school during the holidays, more accidents happen.
“We see a great many hand burns from children touching hot stoves, oven doors and glass screens on fireplaces,” Black said. “With kids home and cooking for themselves, we see an even greater number of hot water, tea and ramen noodle burns as well.”
What to do if someone suffers a burn:
- Immediately wash the wound with cool (not cold) running water.
- Place a clean, dry cloth or gauze over the burn.
- Seek medical attention for deep burns or burns that cover more than 5% of the body.
What not to do if someone suffers a burn:
- Do not ignore the burn.
- Do not treat a burn like a regular wound.
- Do not use toothpaste, mayonnaise, butter, etc., to treat the wound.
The sooner you’re seen at a burn center, Lynch said, the better your outcome.
Turkey fryer fire safety:
- Turkey fryers can tip over easily, spilling hot cooking oil over a large area. Make sure your fryer is on a sturdy, level surface and is at least 10 feet from your home and not under roof eaves. Do not use it in, on or under a garage, deck, breezeway, porch, barn or any structure that can catch fire.
- Cooking oil is combustible. Its vapors can ignite if heated beyond its cooking temperature (375 degrees Fahrenheit). If your turkey fryer does not have a thermostat, use a kitchen thermometer that attaches to the side of the pot. This will help you monitor the oil's temperature.
- An overfilled cooking pot will cause oil to spill when you put the turkey in it. Before turning on the fryer, test how much oil you’ll need by placing the turkey in the pot and adding water. Measure how much water it takes to fill the pot to a safe level, and then use that as a guide for filling the pot with oil.
- A partially frozen turkey will cause hot oil to splatter when you place it in the pot, leading to burns. Make sure your turkey is fully thawed before you fry it.
What to do if a grease fire occurs:
- Never use water to extinguish a grease fire. If it’s a stovetop fire, cut off the source of the fire and cover the pan, if possible, to smother the flames.
- If an indoor fire spreads, get out and stay out!
- Once you’re safely outside, call 911.