A Heart for Collaboration: Wellstar Cardiovascular Quality Forum 2024

We have a responsibility.

The nurse who sits at the bedside, holding a patient’s hand; the professor committed to training the next generation of caregivers; the hospital system executive seeking innovative technology to advance healthcare. They’re united by a shared sense of responsibility — to care for others.

That powerful commonality and our cultural alignment has been the underpinning of the successful partnership between Wellstar Health System and Augusta University’s Medical College of Georgia. In the year since Governor Brian Kemp, our state legislators and the University System of Georgia’s Board of Regents put their trust in us to create Wellstar MCG Health, we’ve improved healthcare in the Central Savannah River Area and enhanced medical education for future generations of Georgia caregivers.

From the beginning, we knew our people would be the key to our success. They’ve committed their lives to caring for others, and we’re committed to caring for them. It’s why we prioritized pay raises, enhanced mental health support, and now offer additional resources to help them take care of themselves and their families. Thanks to their feedback, we’re also investing in their career growth, with programs like CareerCare, which provides funding to help further their healthcare careers.

Supporting caregivers extends beyond those on our team. We’re also expanding the pipeline of clinicians to address our state’s chronic physician and nursing shortages. The Medical College of Georgia is the fourth largest medical college in the country, and the second-largest sponsoring institution for graduate medical training. By bringing academic excellence and advanced research together with deep healthcare experience and extensive resources, we’re able to offer innovative academic teaching models that ensure more physicians are trained in a modern clinical environment. Together, we’re building the healthcare workforce of the future.

As we address the need for more caregivers, we can’t overlook the need to expand access to care. To do that, we’ve increased digital health services and launched mobile care vans to serve rural communities. We’re looking ahead too, building the first hospital in Columbia County, the largest county in the state without its own hospital. Opening this 100-bed, Level II trauma center means people will have better access to the expert, compassionate care they need, right in their own backyard.

For the facilities already serving the area, there are now 129 new doctors, four new urgent care centers, and we’ve introduced innovative technology to improve patient care. We’re the first hospital in Georgia to use Galleri cancer testing, for example, which allows us to use just one blood test to detect more than 50 types of cancer earlier than ever before. We also have two new magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) suites featuring state-of-the-art machines for faster scanning.

Another piece of technology new to WMCG ensures our caregivers have the tools they need to give people the best care possible. It’s called Epic, an electronic medical records system, and it lives up to its name. With Epic, our caregivers now have improved data access for more accurate diagnoses, better treatment plans, and improved patient outcomes. Epic allows students to learn on modern technology, it facilitates research and makes it easier for patients to access their medical records. We invested approximately $175 million in this technology, along with other upgrades, and completed the implementation almost two full years ahead of schedule. It's a game changer and we couldn't be prouder of how the team came together to get this technology up and running.

Georgia’s leaders have put their faith in this partnership, an honor we take seriously. As we continue our work to create a healthier future for all Georgians, we’re committed to collaboration and financial sustainability, because we know our communities depend on us today and for generations to come. Improving the health and well-being of every person we serve isn’t just our responsibility, it’s our privilege, and none of it is possible without our dedicated team members. It’s heartwarming to see the way they embrace each other as one team. In the wake of hurricane Helene, their compassion hasn’t wavered as they care for patients and each other, a testament to their strong bonds. This is a team that cares deeply about each other and the communities we serve; a team that empathizes and uplifts; a team with determination and heart. With that kind of spirit, we can accomplish anything.

Candice L. Saunders is president and CEO of Wellstar Health System and Russell Keen is president of Augusta University.

Christmas music and cheers filled the halls of Wellstar Children’s Hospital of Georgia Dec. 5 through 7 as listeners and viewers of local iHeartMedia radio stations and WRDW-TV generously supported patients and families for the 24th consecutive year.

In the end, the community pledged $255,612 to support Wellstar Children’s.

iHeartMedia generously donated the 72 hours of airtime to the cause while three of its popular radio stations—104.3 WBBQ, 96.3 Kiss FM and 105.7 The Bull—and WRDW News 12/NBC 26 broadcast live from the hospital.

“The children’s hospital could not survive without the support of the community. I’m just so grateful for everyone’s support,” said Dr. Valera Hudson, pediatrician-in-chief of Wellstar Children’s. “No children’s hospital thrives without philanthropy; 100% of the money that’s raised is used directly to help the children we take care of here. All of the funds stay right here at the Wellstar Children’s Hospital of Georgia.”

Wellstar Children’s is a not-for-profit hospital with specialists who care for pediatric patients with a range of conditions, including the most complex conditions.

Some of the patients who have been treated at Wellstar Children’s shared their stories with DJs and reporters throughout Radiothon. For example, 9-year-old Kensley Woodberry began developing spots on her hands and feet that became so painful, she could no longer walk. She stopped eating and refused to play. A team of specialists at Wellstar Children’s diagnosed her with juvenile dermatomyositis, a rare autoimmune disease that causes the body to attack its own muscles and leads to inflammation throughout the body.

This past summer, Kensley attended Camp Joint Venture, a summer camp for children with rheumatic conditions. It gives kids like Kensley the opportunity to enjoy the summer camp experience while a team of medical personnel is nearby in case they are needed. The camp is one of several summer camps funded through Radiothon.

Radiothon also allows for purchases of comfort items like Zaky Hugs, which mimic the warmth and security of a parent’s touch for babies in the NICU; red wagons for transporting young patients around the hospital; and sensory toys for children with autism. These are only a few of the items that bring joy, comfort or care to young patients that the hospital could not purchase without community support.

Though Radiothon has concluded, donations can be made throughout the year by calling (706) 721-4004, by emailing Wellstar Children’s Director of Philanthropy Catherine Stewart or through the Cares for Kids Radiothon website.

A Wellstar patient recovering from a brain injury got a surprise visit Thursday from a former Atlanta Falcons player in celebration of the teenager’s graduation from the intensive care unit of Wellstar Kennestone Regional Medical Center in Marietta.

Oheneba “O.J.” Appiah, 17, who plays linebacker for the football team at Archer High School near Lawrenceville, sustained the brain injury during a football game last month.

“After the game, he said he was dizzy, and that’s when he passed out,” said his mom, Elizabeth Appiah.

“I met O.J. on the worst day of his life,” said Dr. Phillip Parry, a Wellstar neurosurgeon. “He had a life-threatening bleed inside his head, and we took him to surgery immediately.”

O.J. has come a long way during his 20-day stay in intensive care.

“His miraculous recovery is a testament to the care he received and an inspiration to us all to continue doing what we do every day,” Dr. Parry said.

“We are so grateful to God,” O.J.’s mother said. “The team here is great, and the nurses are amazing.”

Wellstar Kennestone’s neuro-ICU team, called “5 Blue East,” bonded with O.J. and his family over their love of football. The team members said it’s been great witnessing O.J.’s recovery and seeing his personality come back.

Former Atlanta Falcons and Pro Bowl player Ovie Mughelli visited O.J. during a special surprise party Thursday. Mughelli gave O.J. a signed jersey and photo from his professional football days and shared advice.

“You had a hard situation happen to you, but you can do hard things,” said Mughelli, encouraging O.J. to “ask for help up front.”

The young football player had just one question for the former NFL player: “How do you get an offer?”

By working hard and building relationships, Mughelli responded. He also stressed the importance of focusing on school. After learning O.J. had never been to a Falcons game, Mughelli invited him to attend one next season.

Wellstar Kennestone President Lorrie Liang, who also stopped by to congratulate O.J., noticed Mughelli’s gift.

“Now you have a jersey to wear during rehab,” she said to O.J.

But O.J. didn’t feel like waiting. He put on the jersey almost immediately.