Media Room

ATLANTA – Healthcare leaders from across the Southeast convened at the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta Wednesday for the 12th annual Health Connect South summit, a high-energy gathering that showcased the region’s brightest minds and boldest ideas in health innovation.

The summit drew hundreds of professionals from across the healthcare spectrum—from hospital systems and research institutions to startups and government agencies—all united by a shared mission: to advance health through collaboration.

One of the day’s standout sessions was the panel “Innovation and the Changing Face of Healthcare Delivery,” which brought together a dynamic mix of voices leading change in the industry. The panel featured Moses Ike, venture principal at Catalyst by Wellstar; Jesse Goodwin, PhD, chief innovation officer at the Medical University of South Carolina; and Chris Lee, chairman, CEO and co-founder of Huxley Medical. The discussion was moderated by Greg Jungles, HealthTech catalyst at Georgia Tech’s Advanced Technology Development Center (ATDC).

The conversation tackled some of the most pressing questions in healthcare today: How do we deliver care more efficiently? How can startups and health systems work together to scale innovation? And what role does venture capital play in shaping the next generation of health solutions?

“Innovation isn’t just about the latest app or device—it’s about reimagining how we care for people,” said Ike. “It’s about building systems that are smarter, faster and more compassionate.” 

As principal of venture at Catalyst by Wellstar, Ike is at the forefront of healthcare investment strategy. He leads efforts to identify and support early-stage startups that are tackling real-world challenges in health-tech, healthcare services and business efficiency, including Rheaply, CalmWave and Gabbi.

“We’re not just investing in companies—we’re investing in the future of care,” Ike added. 

Catalyst by Wellstar, launched by Wellstar Health System, manages a $100 million venture fund, making it one of the largest early-stage, multi-sector healthcare corporate venture funds in the country. The fund is designed to fuel cross-industry solutions that can transform how care is delivered, accessed and experienced.

Throughout the panel, speakers emphasized the Southeast’s growing role as a hub for health innovation. From Atlanta’s thriving startup ecosystem to Charleston’s research-driven medical community, the region is increasingly seen as fertile ground for bold ideas and scalable solutions.

“This panel showcased the incredible momentum in our region—from academic institutions to venture-backed startups—all working together to transform healthcare,” said Jungles.

Known as the largest healthcare gathering in the Southeast, Health Connect South has built a reputation as a launchpad for new partnerships and transformative conversations. This year’s theme centered on breaking down silos and building bridges across disciplines to shape the future of care.

HIRAM, Ga. — With shovels in hand and plans in motion, leaders of Wellstar Paulding Medical Center officially broke ground Thursday, September 4, on a $300 million expansion project that will double the hospital’s inpatient capacity and bring new resources to one of Georgia’s fastest-growing regions.

At this week’s Health Connect South conference, Dr. Steven McCune, oncology service line physician lead, joined an impactful panel discussion titled “Women First: Collaborating for Better Cancer Care, Redefining Outcomes for the Next Generation.” The conversation brought together Dr. McCune and other regional experts to explore the alarming rise in cancer diagnoses among younger women.

Research shows that women under 50 are 82% more likely to be diagnosed with cancer than men in the same age group. Historically, cancer research and treatment have focused primarily on older patients.

“If you come see me for breast cancer, we’re about 10 to 20 years too late,” said Dr. McCune. “We want to work on prevention rather than treatment. This is about working together and collaborating to provide access to care in Georgia.”

Dr. McCune highlighted the Wellstar Center for Genetics —the largest genetic risk assessment program in Georgia—and its focus on identifying younger women at higher risk. Building on that commitment, Wellstar Women’s Health is championing Gabbi, an innovative tool that uses data and technology to expand access to advanced breast cancer risk screening. Supported by Catalyst by Wellstar, a program led by Dr. Hank Capps, Gabbi reflects Wellstar’s commitment to advance healthcare innovation to improve patient outcomes. Wellstar is also partnering with the Medical College of Georgia to train medical students and residents, helping expand the physician workforce and improve access to care across the state.

The panel, moderated by Dr. Kristin Higgins, chief clinical officer at City of Hope Cancer Center, featured leading voices in the field, including Dr. Lynn Durham, president and CEO of Georgia CORE, a statewide nonprofit dedicated to advancing oncology research and education.

“We work with health systems throughout the state, and we want to make sure that Georgians are getting the best cancer care they can get,” said Durham. “I’m a three-time cancer survivor and luckily I am cancer-free today because of clinical trials and the incredible care we have right here in Georgia.”

Together, the panelists discussed:

• The impact of rising cancer rates on younger women.
• Gaps in care, awareness and research that need to be addressed.
• Opportunities for health systems, nonprofits and national organizations to collaborate in new ways.

Dr. McCune also stressed the importance of trusted primary care relationships.

“It’s easy to say a person needs to be their own advocate, but I think in the course of a busy day we have to take a step back and listen to people,” McCune said. “The best thing people can do is have a relationship with a primary care doctor where you’ve built a sense of trust.”

By participating in this regional forum, Wellstar continues to elevate its voice in the broader healthcare community—reinforcing our commitment to addressing the toughest challenges in cancer care through innovation, collaboration and compassion.