CDI

WellStar Health System’s Gold Standards of Clinical Documentation Improvement

General and Infectious Disease Clinical Documentation Tips

 WellStar Health System’s Clinical Documentation Improvement (CDI) Program is designed to ensure that clinical documentation in a patient’s medical record appropriately reflects the care provided. The most vital role of the CDI program is facilitating a true representation of healthcare services provided, through accurate reporting of the principal diagnosis, co-morbidities and any treatments or procedures.

As part of the program’s ongoing efforts, the CDI team offers specific tips monthly from the Program’s Gold Standards of Clinical Documentation Improvement.

General Tips

• Document every condition that impacts the patients care, including chronic conditions.
• Document the diseases associated with the patient’s signs/symptoms.  

Infectious Disease Tips:

• Bacteremia is defined as a non-specific laboratory finding of bacteria in the blood with no signs of illness.
• Bacteremia and sepsis are not considered synonymous terms.
• Sepsis is SIRS due to an infection (An infection-introduced syndrome in the presence of two or more manifestations of SIRS without organ dysfunction).
• In cases of severe sepsis, identify the affected organs when known.
• Identify the source of the infection or trauma that is responsible for SIRS (e.g. sepsis or SIRS), secondary to pneumonia.

Definition of terms:

• Bacteremia: Nonspecific laboratory finding of bacteria in the blood
• Septicemia: Systemic disease associated with the presence of pathogenic organisms in the blood
• Sepsis:  An infection-induced syndrome without organ dysfunction
• Sever Sepsis: Sepsis with associated acute organ dysfunction
• Septic Shock:  Severe sepsis in which the cardiovascular system begins to fail, blood pressure drops and vital organs are deprived of adequate blood supply.
• SIRS: Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome refers to systemic response to            infection, trauma, burns or other insults. Criteria for SIRS include meeting two or more of   the following:
• Fever > 100.4 F or hypothermia < 96.8 F
• Leukocytosis - WBC >12,000 or leukopenia WBC < 4,000 or > 10 percent    bands
• Tachycardia- > 90 beats/minute

Celebrating National Clinical Documentation Improvement Week (Sept. 18-24)

WellStar Cobb Hospital Clinical Documentation Specialists with hospitalist, Dr. Hindi.

WellStar Kennestone Hospital Clinical Documentation Specialists with (2nd from left) Dr. Ricky Washington, hospitalist; (3rd from left) Sheri Chazen, PAC, Urology Associates and (4th from left) Dr. Beau Dusseault, Urology Associates.

WellStar Kennestone, Cobb and Douglas Hospitals’ medical staff celebrated the Association of Clinical Documentation Specialist’s first annual Clinical Documentation Improvement Week with snacks and clinical documentation improvement tips offered by WellStar’s Clinical Documentation Specialists.

Clinical Documentation Specialists are part of the WellStar Health System’s Clinical Documentation Improvement (CDI) Program, which is designed to ensure that clinical documentation in a patient’s medical record appropriately reflects the care provided. The most vital role of the CDI program is facilitating a true representation of healthcare services provided, through accurate reporting of the principal diagnosis, co-morbidities and any treatments or procedures.
Coding rules and regulatory requirements often differ from the way physicians are trained to document their clinical thought processes. Clinical documentation specialists are knowledgeable in interpreting physician documentation and can identify opportunities to bridge the differences between clinical language and coding terms. The CDI professional works to facilitate the overall quality and completeness of clinical documentation to accurately represent the severity, acuity and risk of mortality profile of the patient being treated.

WellStar Health System’s Gold Standards of Clinical Documentation Improvement
As part of the program’s ongoing efforts, the CDI team will be providing monthly general and body system specific tips from the Program’s Gold Standards of Clinical Documentation Improvement in this and future issues of Medical Staff News.

Tips of the Month:
General:

• Clearly document the patient’s “reason/diagnosis for admission”
• If the patient’s reason for admission is a symptom, document the likely cause including probable, possible, suspected or differential diagnoses

Circulatory system:

• CHF: clarify type and acuity: acute, chronic or acute on chronic along with diastolic, systolic or combined
• Cardiomyopathy documented with EF is not synonymous with heart failure in coding terms
• Hypertension: please clarify as accelerated or malignant when present
• Angina clarify cause when known or suspected such as: post MI syndrome, progressing CAD, Prinzmetal, Accelerated or Dressler’s syndrome
• Chest pain indicate likely underlying cause i.e cardiac arrhythmia, pleuritc, GERD, CAD, psychogenic

If you have questions or need more information about the CDI Program, please contact:

Katrina Allen, Supervisor, Clinical Documentation Improvement, WellStar Kennestone and Douglas Hospitals: (770) 842-9731 or Katrina.allen@wellstar.org
or
Darcee Sellari, Supervisor, Clinical Documentation Improvement, WellStar Cobb Hospital: 770-842-1299 or darcee.sellari@wellstar.org

Focus on Patient and Family Centered Care Revitalizes Hand Hygiene Campaign

Throughout each of the five WellStar hospitals, and on screen savers throughout the System, a new series of Clean Hands = Better Health posters showcases the images of several ordinary people in clinical settings, wearing their normal work or hobby attire. These posters are a reminder of the lives our patients leave behind when they come to us for care.

As part of our patient and family centered care focus, it is our goal to help our patients return to their normal lives as quickly as possible, and we know that eliminating hospital-acquired infections through hand hygiene compliance helps us to achieve this goal.
During the course of the next year, Clean Hands = Better Health posters and screen savers will be rotated to feature a total of 15 different individuals.

In addition, bi-lingual Clean Hands = Better Health signage also is being installed at each hospital above wall-mounted foam sanitizer units in heavily-trafficked areas, above nursing unit hallway sinks and on freestanding foam sanitizer units at all hospital entrances.

Thank you for helping restore our patients to health by following, and reminding others to follow good hand hygiene practices.

Service Excellence Commitment Pays Off

Far left, back row: Audrey Berry, nurse manager, 5 West Cardiac Telemetry with several team members of her team.

Our team members are working hard at WellStar Kennestone Hospital to provide our patients and their families with high-quality, compassionate care in support of the WellStar mission. These consistent and hardwired efforts are reflected in improved departmental patient satisfaction scores. The recent achievements of the teams on 5 West Cardiac Telemetry and 6 West Inpatient Rehabilitation are just two examples of this fact:  

Hourly rounding: Realizing that it takes 21 days of repetitive behavior to hardwire a personal habit, the dedicated team on 5 West Cardiac Telemetry recently made a 30-day commitment to ensure that the eight behaviors of hourly rounding were being done by every team member on every patient, correctly and consistently. At the end of the 30-day period, patient satisfaction scores rose dramatically, driving the mean unit score from 84.0 to 90.4 and the percentile ranking from the 18th  to the 91st  percentile.

Seeking patient feedback: To reverse an unusual dip in the unit’s normally high patient satisfaction scores several months ago, the 6 West - Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit team began refocusing on fundamental behaviors, such as bedside rounding, and began a practice of reviewing Press Ganey scores and discussing patient discharge call comments at team meetings. They also began a practice upon admission and discharge of letting patients know they will be asked to provide feedback by completing a patient satisfaction survey. As a result of these efforts, the unit’s fourth quarter satisfaction scores were in the 99th percentile. Consistent, hardwired service excellence efforts are how we demonstrate a high-quality care experience to our patients and their families. Congratulations to these teams for their success!

New Medical Staff As Approved at September Governing Board Meeting

Medical Staff 

Name	Specialty	Group Name	Appointment
Bekele, Dagim M., M.D.	Hospitalist/ Internal Medicine	Hospitalist Group	CH, DH, KH, PH, GRP
Carrick, Ryan P., M.D.	Pulmonary Medicine	Georgia Lung Associates, P.C.	CH, KH
Case, Amy S., M.D.	Pulmonary Medicine	Georgia Lung Associates, P.C.	CH, KH
Cooper, Amy L., M.D.	Pediatrics	Pediatrics - East Cobb	KH, GRP
Dusseault, Beau N., M.D.	Urology	Urology Associates, P.C.	CH, DH, KH
Hsu, Carolina L., M.D.	Pediatrics	East Paulding Pediatric Center	KH, GRP
Hunsel, Ryan B., M.D.	Emergency Medicine	The Bortolazzo Group, LLC	CH, DH, PH
McGann, Patrick M., M.D.	Trauma Surgery	Trauma Surgery	KH
Montgomery-McGuire, Eva Y., M.D.	Pediatrics	Pediatrics - East Cobb	KH, GRP
Reed, Ward L., III, M.D.	Hyperbaric Medicine	HyOx Medical Treatment Center	CH, KH, WH
Revell, Sally M., M.D.	Otolaryngology	ENT, LLC	KH, PH, GRP
Starnes, Trevor T., M.D.	Orthopaedic Surgery, Hand	Pinnacle Orthopaedics & Sports	KH
Sultan, Alsadek, M.D.	Hospitalist/ Internal Medicine	Hospitalist Group	CH, DH, KH, PH, GRP
Taghechian, Shaya, M.D.	Urology	Georgia Urology, P.A.	CH, DH, KH

 Physician Extenders

Name	Specialty	Group Name	Appointment	Current Staff Membership
Conner, Mary L., NP	Nurse Practitioner	Marietta Neonatology	CH	KH
Heisler, John W., PA	Physician Assistant	Georgia Lung Associates, P.C.	CH, KH
Herrington, Angela C., NP	Nurse Practitioner	West Cobb Medical Center	GRP
Jones, Ashley L., PA	Physician Assistant	The Bortolazzo Group, LLC	DH	CH, PH
McDonald, Blake A., CRNA	Nurse Anesthetist	Georgia Anesthesiologists, PC	KH, PH
Saboura, Jennifer A., NP	Nurse Practitioner	Rehabilitation Medicine	CH, KH, WH, GRP
Wall, Donna V., NP	Nurse Practitioner	NW Georgia Oncology Centers	CH, DH, KH, WH
Zimmerman, Cheri S., NP	Nurse Practitioner	The Heart Clinic, P.C.	CH, DH, KH

September New Providers

Sally M. Revell, M.D., has joined WellStar Medical Group, ENT Associates of North Georgia. Dr. Revell received her undergraduate degree from The University of Texas in Austin and her medical degree from Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. She completed her residency in otolaryngology - head and neck surgery at The University of  Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio. Dr. Revell is fluent in written and spoken Spanish. Her hobbies include traveling, cooking and watching college sports.

Amy Cooper, M.D., MPH, MS, has joined WellStar Medical Group, Pediatrics – East Cobb. Dr. Cooper received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida, a master’s of science degree from Boston University, and her medical degree and master’s in public health degree from Emory University.  She completed her pediatric residency at Emory University School of Medicine and is a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics. She is a legislative key contact for the AAP, advocating for the health of children locally and nationwide.


Dr. Cooper lives in East Cobb with her husband and two young daughters. She is involved with The Jewish Federation of Atlanta, The Suzuki School Parent Volunteer Association, Project Bookshelf and National Council of Jewish Women. She enjoys spending time with her husband and two daughters, traveling, swimming and reading. 

Patrick McGann, M.D., has joined WellStar Medical Group, Trauma Surgery. Dr. McGann earned his undergraduate degree from The Ohio State University and his medical degree from St. Matthew's University College of Medicine in San Pedro, Belize. He completed his residency in general surgery at Riverside Methodist Hospital in Columbus, Ohio and his Emory University Trauma Surgery/Critical Care Fellowship from Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta. Dr. McGann is a member of the American College of Surgeons. He is married with three children. In his spare time, he enjoys music, golf and any family activity. (No photo available)

Romni Owens, M.D., has joined WellStar Medical Group, Internal Medicine Associates of Marietta. Dr. Owens received her undergraduate degree from Fisk University in Nashville, Tenn. She completed a post-baccalaureate program at Meharry Medical College in Nashville before earning her Doctorate of Medicine there in 2007. Dr. Owens completed her residency in internal medicine at Morehouse School of Medicine. She is certified in Advanced Cardiac Life Support and is a member of the National Medical Association and the American College of Physicians.

Alyssa Bowers-Zamani, M.D., has joined WellStar Medical Group, Kennestone OB/GYN. Dr. Bowers-Zamani earned her undergraduate degree from Emory University,  her master's degree from Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. and her medical degree from St. George's University in St. George's, Grenada. She is a member of the General Medical Education Committee, American Medical Association, Bibb County Medical Society and American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Dr. Bowers-Zamani enjoys soccer, sailing, foreign languages and traveling.

Patient Satisfaction Graphs

October Department Meetings

WellStar Cobb Hospital

Committee/Dept.	Date & Time	Place
OB/GYN Department	10/3 – 12:30 p.m.	Auditorium
Credentials	10/4 – noon	Administrative Board Room
Medical Executive Committee	10/18 – noon	Administrative Board Room

WellStar Douglas Hospital

Committee/Dept.	Date & Time	Place
Credentials	10/4 – noon	Sweetwater Room
Medical Executive Committee	10/11 - noon	Community Room
QRC/PI	10/13 – 7 a.m.	Sweetwater Room
General Medical Staff & Medicine & Surgery Depts	10/20 - noon	Douglas Medical Center Community Room

WellStar Kennestone Hospital

Committee/Dept.	Date & Time	Place
Credentials	10/5 – 7 a.m.	Kennesaw Mountain Room
Medical Executive Committee	10/11 – 6 p.m.	Kennesaw Mountain Room
OB/GYN Department	10/17 – 5:30 p.m.	Kennesaw Mountain Room
Surgery Department	10/19 – 7 a.m.	Azalea/Camellia Room
Pediatrics Department	10/19 – 12:30 p.m.	Kennesaw Mountain Room
Office Based Pharmaceutical Update CME	10/20 – 6 p.m.	Kennesaw Mountain Room
New Provider Orientation & Safety First Training	10/21 – 8 a.m.	Kennesaw Mountain Room

WellStar Paulding Hospital

Committee/Dept.	Date & Time	Place
Medical Executive Committee	10/13 – 12:30 p.m.	Dogwood Room

WellStar Windy Hill Hospital

Committee/Dept.	Date & Time	Place
Medical Executive Committee	10/18 – 5:15 p.m.	Admin Conference Room

*WellStar general staff meeting at the Galleria will be rescheduled. Date TBA.

October CME Events

• Breast Tumor Board – Oct. 5, 12 and 26; 7 a.m.; Post Stat Cancer Clinic; WellStar Kennestone Hospital; 7 p.m.
• Cardiothoracic Case Conference – Oct. 18; 7 a.m.; Radiology Conference Room; WellStar Kennestone Hospital
• Cardiology Case Conference – Oct. 25; 7 a.m.; Kennesaw Mountain Room; WellStar Kennestone Hospital
• Cobb Surgical M&M – Oct. 27; 7 a.m.; Wisteria/Jasmine Room; WellStar Cobb Hospital
• GI Tumor Board – Oct. 6, 10 and 27; 7 a.m.; Azalea/Camellia Room; WellStar Kennestone Hospital
• Kennestone Surgical M&M – Oct. 26; 7:30 a.m.; Azalea/Camellia Room; WellStar Kennestone Hospital
• Thoracic Clinic – Oct. 5, 12, 19 and 26; 5 p.m.; Post Stat Cancer Clinic

Click here to view the Pulmonary Online Course Flyer 

Pulse Omimetry Reading
William Mahle, M.D. - Sibley Heart Center Cardiology
Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2011
5:45-7 p.m.
Azalea Camellia Room, WellStar Kennestone Hospital
Dinner will be provided
To register, 770-22-MYCME (69263)

WellStar Surgery Network Advertisements

WellStar has created a combination of ads highlighting WellStar’s experience and technology in the area of surgery, and the expertise of our surgeons, especially with minimally invasive procedures. The ads feature WellStar Medical Group physicians David L. Parks, M.D., of ENT Associates of North Georgia and William A. Griffith, Jr., M.D., of Douglas Surgical Associates.

The print ads are running in a variety of community magazines, specialty publications, WellStar’s radio and TV spots, and on local radio and television stations. Below are some print publication examples where the ads appear:


Bright Side - Austell/Mableton; Smyrna/Vinings

Chapel Hill/Villa Rica News & Views

Lifestyles Magazine

Our Town - Smyrna; West Cobb

Northside News

Around About - Acworth; Townelaker; Woodstock

Cherokee Life

WellStar Pharmacy Benefits for You - and Your Patients!

Please let your patients know that they can have their prescriptions filled by the WellStar Pharmacy Network at:

WellStar Windy Hill Hospital: 770-644-1005; 2520 Windy Hill Road, Suite 203B

WellStar Kennestone Hospital: 770-793-9300; 677 Church Street, On hospital campus

WellStar Cobb Hospital: 678-945-2111; 3950 Austell Road; On hospital campus


Courtesy, convenience and lower co-pays (when using the WellMeds formulary)

·         Free delivery (Windy Hill location only) to your workplace
·         Payroll deduction option
·         Same or lower co-pay than other pharmacies. (Call us, we will transfer your prescription)


Some examples based on a 30 day supply


WellStar pharmacy                               Other pharmacy

Atenolol                        $2.00                 $10.00

Cymbalta®                    $10.00              $35.00

Nexium®                       $30.00              $50.00

Bupropion                     $2.00                $10.00

Singulair®                     $10.00              $35.00

Synthroid®                   $10.00               $35.00

Benicar®                       $30.00              $50.00

Lisinopril                       $2.00                 $10.00


A complete list of prescriptions on the WellMeds program can be found on eSource under Departments > Pharmacy > WellStar Pharmacy Network      


We also have a variety of over the counter items which can be delivered to your location!


Covered on another insurance plan? We can still fill your prescription, payroll deduct and send it to your work site. We honor most insurance plans.


Support your WellStar system and enjoy convenience and savings.     

Patient Bed Replacement Project Update

The ad-hoc Value Analysis bed replacement team, led by Bindi Shah and Hal Brown, has been working diligently to coordinate a Systemwide bed replacement plan for WellStar. The team has identified all of the beds that are to be replaced and the optimal bed surface mix for each facility. WellStar primarily uses a high cost bed surface (Hill-Rom Versacare integrated-air surface) for medical surgical units at all facilities. While this surface is well-suited for higher acuity patients, it is not needed for all patients. Thus, the team selected a less costly non-air surface (Hill-Rom AccuMax VPC foam) to be utilized for our ambulatory patients that do not meet the clinical criteria required for an integrated air surface. Once the bed replacement plan is complete, WellStar, with the exception of Windy Hill, will have a mix of integrated air and foam surface beds in their medical surgical units. The bed surface mix was determined by CNO leadership following an in-depth review of patient data.

To capitalize on our ability to act as an integrated delivery network, the team also developed a master plan which entails transferring some of our newer integrated air surface beds to other WellStar facilities and replacing them with foam surface beds. An integrated air surface bed is approximately $3,021 more than the foam surface bed. By changing the utilization of our bed surfaces (purchasing a mix of integrated air surfaces and foam surfaces), WellStar will avoid more than $1.5 million in costs, and $150,000 will be avoided through inter-facility transfers. Additionally, through strategic negotiations, the Purchasing Department was also able to negotiate an additional $777,961 in contract savings.

Nursing, Facilities Engineering and Environmental Services teams are working with Hill-Rom to determine the best process for deploying and/or changing out beds. CNOs are currently working with Value Analysis to determine project leads for each facility.

Lastly, all beds will be labeled (FOAM, AIR, ICU, and LABOR) to identify the type of bed. New beds are expected to begin arriving at WellStar facilities beginning in October.

WellStar Kennestone Hospital Designated as a Robotic Epicenter

WellStar Kennestone Hospital has been designated as a Robotic Epicenter by Intuitive Surgical Inc., the maker the daVinci® Si Surgical System, for gynecological surgery because of its commitment to excellence in robotic surgery. Kennestone is one of only 21 hospitals in the country to earn this designation and becomes a destination for surgeons from around the country to observe and learn robot-assisted gynecological procedures.

“Becoming a Robotic Surgery Epicenter to train visiting physicians was an objective when we launched our program in 2007,” said Candice Saunders, executive vice president and WellStar Kennestone Hospital administrator. “We are proud to share our expertise with other surgeons across the country to improve patient care in their communities.”

Physicians from around the country will come to Kennestone to observe Gerald Feuer, M.D., of Southeastern Gynecologic Oncology, LLC, who is one of 23 Epicenter surgeons in the nation. Dr. Feuer, an innovator in robotic surgery, performs more robot-assisted surgery for gynecologic cancer than any other surgeon in the United States and has worked closely with WellStar to build a physician and staff training program.  Because of the benefits offered by robotic surgery, it has the potential to make certain “open,” or abdominal, gynecologic surgeries obsolete, Feuer said.
Surgical robots at WellStar Kennestone and WellStar Cobb Hospitals are used to assist surgeons in general surgery, gynecologic, urologic and cardiac procedures. Advantages of robotic surgery are numerous and include: less pain, less blood loss, shorter hospital stays and a quicker return to normal activities. The da Vinci® Si Surgical System allows the surgeon to perform delicate operations by providing better visualization, precision, dexterity and improved access to hard-to-reach areas.

For more information about the robot-assisted surgeries offered at WellStar Kennestone Hospital or WellStar Cobb Hospital, please call 770-956-STAR or visit www.wellstar.org

Nicotine Replacement Therapy Available

As part of our journey to be a tobacco-free environment on January 1, 2012, we want to provide our tobacco-using team members with as many resources as possible to aid in this transition. We now have nicotine replacement therapy available for free to WellStar team members and their legal spouses.

Every team member and spouse is eligible to receive a three-month supply of nicotine replacement therapy at no cost to the team member. You may order a one-month supply at a time through the WellStar Pharmacy Network. The therapies will be delivered to your job location, just like WellMeds. Therapies include nicotine gum, lozenges and patches at differing strength levels without a prescription. Information on how to order these therapies can be found by clicking on Human Resources on the eSource home page.

In addition to nicotine replacement therapy, stay tuned for more information about behavior modification programs to be offered during the final quarter of 2011. Also, a confidential tobacco cessation access line is now available to offer advice and assistance at 770-793-QUIT.

WellStar Weight Loss Challenge

Amar Patel, M.D.

The seventh season of the WellStar Weight Loss Challenge, formerly known as Atlanta’s Biggest Loser, began on Sept. 19. Amar Patel, M.D., of WellStar Cardiovascular Medicine will be the lead physician.

WellStar is providing a cast of knowledgeable health experts to motivate, educate and challenge our community to take control of its health. Featured WellStar physicians and clinicians are speaking out about obesity-related issues on 11 Alive’s Atlanta & Company every Friday throughout the 12-week contest, which began on Sept. 23.

Be sure to tune in to or record Atlanta & Company every Wednesday on 11 Alive from 11:15-11:45 a.m. to catch contest updates and again every Friday, 11:15-11:30 a.m., to see the weekly discussion topic with one of our resident experts.

WellStar Health System expects to break ground on Acworth Health Park on Oct. 17

WellStar Health System will hold a ceremonial groundbreaking on Oct. 17 at the Acworth Health Park, although construction officially began on Aug. 8.

The first phase of the project at the corner of Cobb Parkway and Awtrey Church Road in Acworth is expected to cost $29 million and will likely employ 125 staff physicians, support staff and other various employees. Half of those will be new positions and half will be transfers from medical practices in the area who will be relocating to Acworth Health Park.

The Acworth Health Park is a multi-phase, five-year, $64 million project that will include a medical office building, diagnostic center, women’s diagnostic imaging center, urgent care services, sleep center, retail pharmacy and community education and wellness center.

The architect of the Acworth project is Marietta’s CDH Partners and the general contractor is Brasfield & Gorrie of Kennesaw.

The Acworth Health Park is very similar in concept to the proposed East Cobb Health Park, although the east Cobb project at the corner of Roswell and Providence roads is also set to have a 20,000-square-foot outpatient surgery center and will be a much larger project at 204,000 square feet. The East Cobb Health Park is set to begin construction in March.

The idea behind both parks is to have a one-stop-shop health and wellness center, where patients could, for example, visit with a doctor then, in the same complex, undergo physical therapy.

The Acworth Health Park will place a heavy emphasis on health and wellness. WellStar is exploring the provision of a wide array of programming to include chronic disease management, complementary medicine, screening and early detection, fitness and education.

The Acworth Health Park is an important part of WellStar’s overall five-year capital plan of $804 million.

Popular Marietta doctor ends career after 42 years, at least 5,000 babies

(As published in the Marietta Daily Journal)

Dr. Dan Stephens, beloved obstetrician and gynecologist, put on his stethoscope for the last time Wednesday. After 42 years of service in Marietta, Stephens retired. Being a doctor was always his goal.

Planet Smoothie Now Open at WellStar Health Place

WellStar Health Place opened a storefront location conveniently located just inside the facility’s main entrance on Sept. 19, 2011. It is the first of Planet Smoothie’s 111 locations in a healthcare/fitness setting.

Planet Smoothie features 23 smoothie flavors under 300 calories. Blasts can be added to smoothies to increase immunity, provide multivitamins, fiber, energy, protein and increase fat burning and workout performance. By showing your WellStar badge, you will receive a 10 percent discount on smoothies. Payroll deduct is available for WellStar team members.

WellStar Health Place members and WellStar team members and medical staff, as well as walk-in visitors, are able to purchase the entire selection offered at a traditional Planet Smoothie location. Catering is available for meetings and special events. (Delivery service is limited on and around the campus of WellStar Kennestone Hospital.)

For more information, please e-mail planetsmoothie@wellstar.org or call 678-337-7366.

WellStar Scores Top Honors from Working Mother, AARP

Working Mother magazine has named WellStar the nation’s top organization for family-friendly benefits. This honor marks WellStar’s fourth consecutive year on the magazine’s top 100 list. Last year, our System ranked No. 5. This year, we are No. 1!

Working Mother surveyed hundreds of companies on a variety of measures and WellStar outscored all of them. (Unfortunately, Working Mother prohibits us from sharing the No. 1 ranking outside of the System; externally, we can only say that we are a “top 10” company.)

In addition, Working Mother named WellStar among its “Best Companies for Kids,” citing our System’s outstanding childcare centers: The Learning Center and The Children’s Nest.

Sheryl Spohn, assistant vice president, Compliance (pictured above), was selected as WellStar’s own Working Mother of the Year. Sheryl will be featured in the November edition of Working Mother magazine as well as on the website. She will also be honored in New York during the 100 Best Companies celebration.

Another recent accolade for WellStar is earning a spot on AARP’s “Best Employers for Workers Over 50” list. Ranked eleventh overall, WellStar was the only healthcare system in Georgia on the list.
At WellStar, we recognize that it takes great team members to deliver world-class healthcare. That is why we are committed to our journey to become a great place to work for all team members –mothers, fathers, young and mature workers alike. These recognitions prove that we are making progress toward this goal.

WellStar Welcomes New Vice President of Talent Acquisition

Carol B. Maxwell will join WellStar on Sept. 19 as Vice President of Talent Acquisition. In this position, she will be responsible for development of WellStar’s talent acquisition strategy and will lead all employee and physician recruiting for the System.  

Carol brings to WellStar more than 25 years of experience in healthcare recruiting. Most recently, she was vice president and leader of the Healthcare and Life Sciences Practice for Pearson Partners International, a boutique executive search firm in Dallas, Texas. Prior to this position, she worked for Tenet Healthcare Corporation for seven years and served as assistant vice president of executive talent for five of those years. In this role, she was responsible for a staff of 21 professionals who provided executive search services to all of Tenet’s 52 hospitals and their corporate office.

She has a bachelor’s degree in economics and urban studies from Texas Christian University and is certified by the Executive Assessment Institute.