Wellstar Expands Obstetrics and Gynecology Services in Spalding, Upson Counties

ATLANTA (Jan. 21, 2025) – Atlanta developer The Integral Group, in partnership with Wellstar Health System, announced the selection of Ferma Corporation to lead the next phase of the former Atlanta Medical Center campus redevelopment. Ferma is a nationally recognized leader in demolition services with over 50 years of experience that will lead a team of demolition specialists including local firms Trinity Green and Atlanta Demolition.

The initial phase of demolition will begin with unsafe and unusable facilities, such as the circular parking structure along the northern boundary of the site. Preliminary site preparation and environmental activities are scheduled to begin in early February. Visible demolition activities will begin upon permit issuance, which is planned for late March, and is expected to conclude by late 2025. With extensive expertise in managing projects of all sizes, Ferma ensures efficient and safe execution across all stages of redevelopment that minimizes disruptions to residents and businesses.

The contractor will be introduced to the community at the Tuesday, January 21 Old Fourth Ward Neighborhood Association meeting to share their plans, address questions, and discuss how the project will progress.

A Commitment to Community and Collaboration

The redevelopment project aligns with Wellstar’s dedication to creating healthier, more inclusive communities. The plans will reflect input from local stakeholders, ensuring the project meets the aspirations and needs of the surrounding neighborhoods.

Stephen Vault, vice president of Strategic Community Development at Wellstar, shared: "By working together, we are creating a space that the community has said is important to them. This includes affordable housing, new street access and green spaces, retail and commercial businesses, and health and well-being resources that preserve the area’s rich history while embracing a vision for future growth."

Environmental and Safety Stewardship

Ferma Corporation and its partners are committed to sustainability by using innovative techniques to reduce waste and implement eco-friendly practices, supporting a greener future for the community. Robust safety protocols will be implemented throughout the demolition phase to protect workers, residents, and the surrounding environment.

Eric Pinckney, senior vice president at The Integral Group, added: "The demolition phase represents the groundwork for transformation. It’s not just about clearing space; it’s about building trust and ensuring the community feels engaged and heard every step of the way. Our commitment is to deliver a redevelopment that aligns with the values and aspirations of those who live and work here."

A Trusted Team with Proven Expertise

The Ferma-led team was selected for their combination of technical expertise and commitment to community-centered practices and environmental responsibility. Their approach reflects a holistic focus on delivering safe and sustainable outcomes while fostering local collaboration. Key elements to their approach will include:

• Expertise and Community Focus: Ferma Corporation brings decades of proven experience and dedication to practices that prioritize the needs of the local community.
• Local Economic Impact: The team emphasizes hiring and training local labor, contributing to economic opportunities and workforce development within the community.
• Minimizing Disruptions: Comprehensive measures will be implemented to manage noise, dust, and traffic during the demolition phase, reducing impacts on residents and businesses.
• Sustainability Practices: Ferma prioritizes environmentally responsible operations, ensuring materials are recycled or disposed of in compliance with local and federal regulations.
• Commitment to Safety: Safety protocols are central to their work, protecting both workers and nearby residents throughout the demolition process.

Preserving Legacy and Planning for Growth

The redevelopment will thoughtfully honor the site’s historical significance, embedding its rich cultural legacy into every aspect of the project, with particular emphasis on the design of new spaces. This intentional balance of preserving the past and embracing future growth reflects a steadfast commitment to building a meaningful, inclusive future rooted in respect for the site’s heritage.

Future of the Site

The redevelopment of the former Atlanta Medical Center campus is being guided by a land-use plan unanimously approved by the Atlanta City Council with support from Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens and the leadership of the local neighborhood association. As stewards of the property, Wellstar is committed to ensuring the redevelopment serves the needs of Atlanta while incorporating input from residents of the surrounding neighborhood.

While additional planning is required to finalize specifics, Wellstar looks forward to partnering with the Mayor, City Council, the community, and other stakeholders to realize a shared vision for the site. This vision will honor the property’s historical significance while fostering new opportunities for growth, connectivity, and inclusivity.

The Wellstar Center for Health Equity, which strives to address health inequities across Georgia, and Small TALK, a literacy program made possible by donations to the Wellstar Foundation, have announced the launch of a pilot initiative in partnership with Cobb Collaborative. The Family Literacy Kits initiative will enhance health literacy among youth in the Fair Oaks community of Cobb County through the distribution of age-appropriate reading materials and educational resources.

Addressing a critical need

As one of many solutions to improve outcomes for children and their families, Cobb Collaborative is committed to uniting families, educators and community partners to enhance literacy and foster a love for reading among children. With two-thirds of Georgia’s third graders not reading at grade level, Cobb Collaborative’s Family Literacy Kit program intervenes with resources and support. By providing high-quality, age-appropriate reading materials for children from birth to age 5, this program fosters positive interactions between children and their caregivers and promotes kindergarten readiness. Family Literacy Kits address a critical need identified in Wellstar’s Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA): improving literacy as a social determinant of health.

Collaborative effort

Cobb Collaborative, a key player in the Get Georgia Reading Campaign, has been instrumental in improving third-grade reading levels across the community. This pilot initiative, supported by Wellstar Community Health and Wellstar Center for Health Equity, along with Small TALK, will distribute 10 Family Literacy Kits each month for a year through the Sibley Library. Kits will incorporate a bilingual book (in Spanish and English), a hands-on activity related to the book's theme, instructional inserts with additional activities and other resources. Wellstar will also contribute materials to support pediatric health education and access to social care such as food and transportation resources.

Rae-Anne Pinckney, manager of community benefit for the Wellstar Center for Health Equity, notes, "As we launch this initiative, we are reminded of the profound impact that early literacy can have on a child's future. By providing these Family Literacy Kits, we are not only fostering a love for reading, but also laying the foundation for lifelong learning and success. This work is crucial in bridging the literacy gap and ensuring that every child has the opportunity to thrive."

The Family Literacy Kits pilot collaboration launched in January. Monthly themes include:

• January: Security and Exploration
• February: Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging
• March: Growth/Community
• April: Sleep Health
• May: Emotional Wellness
• June: Life Cycles
• July: Physical Activity
• August: Oral Health
• September: Working Together
• October: Community/Belonging
• November: Nutrition
• December: Cultures/Celebration

Learn more about the Wellstar Center for Health Equity.

In a heartwarming display of camaraderie, Wellstar team members gathered across the system to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s life and legacy as part of the health system’s annual program to recognize his profound impact on civil rights in the United States. This year, the program featured a compelling conversation with his eldest son, Martin Luther King III. 

A humanitarian and civil rights activist in his own right, King sat down with nationally renowned journalist Monica Kauffman Pearson to discuss his parents' legacy of nonviolent and peaceful activism, and how their influence continues to shape his own life and efforts. The conversation centered on one of his father’s most famous quotes: "The time is always right to do what is right."

King discussed the importance of using constructive dialogue in times of conflict, sharing insights into how his late mother, Coretta Scott King, successfully convinced President Ronald Reagan in 1983 to sign into law a bill that created Martin Luther King Jr. Day as a federal holiday.

In the conversation, Kauffman Pearson asked King how his father's legacy extends to health equity. 

“I think we're making small steps. We need to accelerate it to gigantic steps,” King said, encouraging people to consider an important question: “What are you going to do to make your community, your nation, our world better?” 

“Like Martin Luther King III, I believe we have a responsibility to make the world a better place,” said Candice L. Saunders, president and CEO of Wellstar Health System. “In healthcare, we seize that opportunity one patient at a time, serving with compassion and honoring every voice as we work together to enhance the health and well-being of every person we serve.”

View excerpts of the conversation here.