Wellstar Health System

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is reporting a rise in cases of walking pneumonia. Dr. Danny Branstetter, medical director of infectious disease and infection prevention at Wellstar, sat down with CNN to explain that although the numbers may appear higher, they are similar to levels before the COVID-19 pandemic.

No one says it better than our nurses! The words they use to describe Wellstar’s culture speak for themselves. Find a fulfilling career with our compassionate, award-winning team: https://bit.ly/4adIy2e

Wellstar recently served as the medical sponsor for the Georgia Alliance for Breast Cancer Georgia 2-Day Walk for Breast Cancer for the 11th year in a row. Breast surgeons Dr. Laura Pearson and Dr. Paulomi Shroff served as co-medical directors. Over 50 Wellstar team members served on the medical crew, Wellstar Outpatient Rehabilitation provided physical therapy services to walkers, and our community engagement and cancer care teams co-hosted a booth along the route to interact with walkers. Since 2014, GAABC has contributed over $500,000 in grants to the Wellstar Foundation to offer free mammograms, diagnosis, and support services for patients in need. Wellstar is proud to partner with the Georgia Alliance for Breast Cancer to support their mission to increase access to care and reduce disparities in cancer outcomes.

Wellstar was proud to partner with the Atlanta Pride Committee to support Atlanta Pride Parade and Marketplace Festival earlier this month. We enjoyed gathering with the community in celebration of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging. Nearly 100 Wellstar team members walked in the parade on Sunday to show how we stand United With Pride. Our Pride Collective Business Resource Group designed Wellstar's float to reflect the creativity and spirit of our team members. We're grateful for our longstanding partnership with the Atlanta Pride Committee and the opportunity to partner with the LGBTQ+ community to help everyone stay healthy and feel their best. Learn more at http://spr.ly/6043qL8kH.

This Breast Cancer Awareness Month, meet Amy Hartley, a courageous survivor whose journey was supported by our dedicated care teams. Your donations to the Wellstar Foundation can provide patients in need with vital support, treatment and resources, like the mammogram that caught Amy’s cancer early. Join us in celebrating people like Amy and helping the people you love lead healthier lives—every gift makes a difference. Give online today at http://spr.ly/6046qL6Hq.

Wellstar Cobb, Wellstar Kennestone and Wellstar North Fulton Medical Centers have been named Carotid Care Quality Champions by the Society for Vascular Surgery Vascular Quality Initiative clinical registry recognition program. The program honors healthcare organizations dedicated to improving vascular care through participation and engagement in carotid artery stenting and carotid endarterectomy registries. Stents are placed to open blocked arteries, and an endarterectomy is a procedure to remove plaque buildup from an artery. Our participation in the registries allow us to monitor performance, benchmark outcomes and provide the best possible care for our patients. Learn more about heart care at Wellstar at http://spr.ly/6043qQ9Hv.

Last week, we announced that The Integral Group will lead redevelopment of the former Atlanta Medical Center site, guided by a plan created with extensive community input and unanimously approved by the Atlanta City Council and Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens. The new space in Old Fourth Ward will include affordable housing, residential properties, community and public green space, neighborhood-level retail, new street access, commercial uses, and health and well-being resources. SaportaReport spoke with leadership at Integral about the redevelopment plans. Read more at http://spr.ly/6044qtpMj.

2024 marks a historic year for the American Heart Association, as the organization celebrates 100 years of lifesaving work! More than 430 Team Wellstar walkers participated in the recent Greater Atlanta Heart Walk. Wellstar team members raised a remarkable $84,300 for the cause, contributing to the sum of over $2 million raised by teams across the greater Atlanta area. Wellstar's cardiovascular and stroke teams were onsite in the survivor celebration area to provide information and resources to the community, as well as celebrate heart disease and stroke survivors. We congratulate the American Heart Association on this milestone year and are proud to partner with them to enhance the health and well-being of our community.

We celebrate the dedication of our respiratory therapists who make an impact on our care. If you’re ready to be part of a supportive culture where you can learn and grow, explore the opportunities across our award-winning health system: https://bit.ly/3HAXlYV

Susan Grant, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN, executive vice president, chief experience officer and chief nurse executive at Wellstar, has been elected to the American Academy of Nursing Board of Directors. Wellstar is grateful for her leadership and dedication to the nursing profession. “I’m passionate about evolving nursing practice, improving nursing excellence and finding policy solutions to the challenges nurses face today, including workforce, wellness and health equity issues. With deep experience as a chief nursing executive and service on many volunteer boards, I bring a unique perspective to help the Academy move its mission to achieve health equity forward through relationship-building, engaging with diverse perspectives, fostering meaningful dialogue and strengthening partnerships,” Grant said. She will assume this role following the Annual Business Meeting November 2.