AmyCare
Kevin & Brittany Kisner 
In a sold-out, black-tie event, Wellstar Foundation raised $1.25 million to support innovation and advancement across women’s health services during the 26th Annual Wellstar Grand Gala on March 29 at The St. Regis Atlanta.
Sponsored by ApolloMD, Bank of America and Northwest Georgia Oncology Centers, the event was emceed for the fourth year by Condace Pressley, director of community and public affairs at WSB-TV and a member of the Wellstar Foundation Board of Trustees. Special guests joined 600 corporate and community partners from across Georgia, including Atlanta Hawks Hall of Famer Dominique Wilkins, a long-time friend and ambassador for Wellstar who opened the program alongside Pressley.
Wellstar Chief of Women’s Health Dr. Paula Greaves highlighted the disparities in healthcare among women in Georgia. “Black and Brown women are disproportionately affected in Georgia. They are 3 to 4 times more likely to die during childbirth and they are at a higher risk of dying from breast, endometrial or cervical cancers,” said Greaves.
She cited the Wellstar Doula Program as one innovative solution. “Our doula program has been shown nationally to improve maternal and neonatal outcomes by helping moms and families have access to clinical and wraparound services throughout pregnancy and postpartum,” Greaves said.
Julie Teer, Wellstar Foundation president, emphasized more of Wellstar’s impactful work to improve health outcomes for women.
“Wellstar received a five and a half million dollar grant to launch our Healthy Start program, which works to bridge the gap in maternal care access in the most rural counties we serve: Spalding, Butts and Troup,” said Teer. “By providing clinical and community services, including a case manager, nurse navigator, doula and health educators, we will improve maternal and infant health and prevent death. It’s the kind of collaboration that will change the game.”
Dr. Michael Andrews, an oncologist and philanthropic partner of the Foundation, was honored with the Philanthropist of the Year – Lifetime Achievement Award. From his early involvement in the lung cancer STAT clinic to championing innovative immunotherapies and treatments, Dr. Andrews has helped advance oncology care at Wellstar. He’s described as an inspired leader who, along with his team at North Georgia Oncology Centers, continually pursues ways to bring the highest quality care to Wellstar and patients.
Wellstar Medical College of Georgia Health team member, Jose “Mario” Castillo was recognized as the Caregiver of the Year for his work in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, which devastated Augusta and the surrounding areas. The President of Wellstar MCG Health Medical Center, Ralph Turner, presented Castillo with the award.
“After making sure his family was safe and relocating them to Atlanta, Mario spent days at the hospital, ensuring that dialysis services could continue safely,” Turner said. “Mario’s commitment during crisis clearly represents his deep compassion and sense of duty to our patients.”
Wellstar is a nonprofit health system and is nationally recognized as a leader in healthcare innovation. Serving more than 1.4 million Georgians, Wellstar is the largest provider of charity care in the state and the second-highest provider of charity care in the nation. Wellstar Grand Gala proceeds support the Wellstar Foundation and Wellstar’s commitment to improve health outcomes for women today and for generations to come. To make a tax-deductible donation or for information on future Foundation events and corporate partnerships, visit wellstar.org/foundation.
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- Wellstar Foundation hosted nearly 600 corporate partners, community supporters and Wellstar leaders for the 26th Annual Wellstar Grand Gala at The St. Regis on March 29.
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- Gala Host Committee Co-Chairs Kim Gresh and Bird Blitch. (L to R: Kim Gresh, Gala Co-Chair and Emeritus Wellstar Foundation Board Member; Bird Blitch, Gala Co-Chair and Wellstar Foundation Board Chair)
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- Emcee Condace Pressley, Director, Community and Public Affairs at WSB-TV, and Atlanta Hawks Hall of Famer Dominique Wilkins opened the program. (L to R: Condace Pressley, Director, Community and Public Affairs at WSB-TV and Wellstar Foundation Board Member; Dominique Wilkins, Atlanta Hawks’ Vice President of Basketball and Wellstar Ambassador)
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- Dr. Paula Greaves, Chief of Women’s Health Service Line, shared some of the key challenges women face in Georgia and why Wellstar is prioritizing the needs of women across the state. Greaves was joined on stage by Julie Teer, SVP & Wellstar Foundation President, who shared examples of how philanthropy is advancing innovation and expanding access to care for women now and for future generations. (L to R: Paula Greaves, MD, Chief of Women’s Health Service Line; Julie Teer, SVP & Wellstar Foundation President)
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- During the live auction, Auctioneer Jordan Campbell invited St. Regis Executive Chef Alexander Gut to the stage to share details on an exclusive chef’s table in the St. Regis’ private dining room. (L to R: Jordan Campbell; Alexander Gut, St. Regis Atlanta Executive Chef)
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- Wellstar MCG Health team member, Jose “Mario” Castillo, was recognized as Caregiver of the Year for his quick action that ensured safe patient care following Hurricane Helene, which devastated Augusta and surrounding areas in Fall 2024. (L to R: Frank Ros, Wellstar Board of Trustees Chair; Julie Teer, SVP & Wellstar Foundation President; Jose “Mario” Castillo, Lead Dialysis Technician, Wellstar MCG Health; Bird Blitch, Gala Co-Chair and Wellstar Foundation Board Chair; Ralph Turner, SVP & President of Wellstar MCG Health)
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- Family and colleges congratulate Dr. Michael Andrews on being recognized with the Physician of the Year Lifetime Achievement Award. (L to R: Annette Zarkou; Donald Zarkou, Wellstar VP of Oncology; Marian Andrews; Michael Andrews, MD, Wellstar Chief Cancer Officer and Physician of the Year Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient)
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- Dr. Michael Andrews received the Physician of the Year Lifetime Achievement Award for his dedication to helping advance oncology care at Wellstar. (L to R: Bird Blitch, Gala Co-Chair and Wellstar Foundation Board Chair; Julie Teer, SVP & Wellstar Foundation President; Mary Chatman, Wellstar Exec. Vice President of Acute Care; Michael Andrews, MD, Wellstar Chief Cancer Officer and Physician of the Year Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient; Frank Ros, Wellstar Board of Trustees Chair; Kem Mullins, Wellstar Exec. Vice President of Ambulatory & Business Development)
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- Now in remission, Sridevi Subramanian poses with her care team, Dr. Nagender Mankan, Dr. Laura Pearson, Dr. Mclaughlin Mark, who were all featured in an emotional video highlighting Subramanian’s breast cancer journey at Wellstar. (L to R: Nagender Mankan, MD, Hematologist/Oncologist, Northwest Georgia Oncology Centers; Laura Pearson, MD, Breast Surgeon, Wellstar Medical Group; Sridevi Subramanian; Mark McLaughlin, MD, Radiation Oncologist, Wellstar Medical Group)
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- Auctioneer Jordan Campbell energized the room as guests generously gave to fund the mission in support of women’s health services, helping to raise $1.25 million for the cause.
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- Women’s health service line leaders celebrate the night of big impact. (L to R: Tiffany Bryant, Wellstar Women’s Health Patient Education Services Manager; Preston Hendrickson, AVP Women’s Health; Joy Baker, MD, Wellstar Women’s Health Medical Director; Paula Greaves, MD, Wellstar Chief of Women’s Health; Laura Pearson, MD, Breast Surgeon, Wellstar Medical Group)
