Wellstar Health System announced on May 5 the launch of a Rural Community Consortium, aiming to coordinate maternal care and resources across nine rural counties in Georgia.
The initiative seeks to address the lack of access to maternity care in Jefferson, Burke, Emanuel, Washington, Glascock, Warren, McDuffie, Jenkins and Johnson counties—areas identified as maternity care deserts. The effort is anchored by Wellstar MCG Health Medical Center’s Rural Healthcare Access Partnership and supported by a $1.2 million grant from the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration.
“We’re facing a maternal health crisis in the Southeast, where too many mothers don’t receive the prenatal care they need, and they are dying from preventable complications. We can do better. I’ve always believed in the power of partnerships, and what we’re building here in Georgia can transform outcomes across the entire region,” said Ketul J. Patel, president and CEO of Wellstar Health System.
In Georgia, 15.8% of women live more than 30 minutes from a hospital with maternity services compared with 9.7% nationwide; this limited access increases risks for pregnancy complications and infant mortality rates—especially among Black mothers who account for over half (56%) of maternal deaths despite representing about one-third of Georgia’s population.
“While many of these women will likely deliver their child at Wellstar MCG Health, traveling more than 30 minutes to regular—sometimes weekly—appointments prior to childbirth is not always feasible. For some patients, it becomes a choice between getting vital prenatal care and putting food on the table because of the time off required,” said Dr. Chadburn Ray at Wellstar MCG Health. “Providing access to these vital resources closer to home means mothers don’t have to make these difficult decisions.”
Through collaboration with Augusta University’s Medical College of Georgia and local organizations—including midwives and doulas—the program offers support such as housing assistance, food programs and baby supplies for expectant families.
The consortium builds on previous efforts like Wellstar’s Healthy Start program serving Spalding, Butts and Troup counties since 2024; that program has helped over 1,300 parents—with more than 80% infants receiving scheduled well-child visits—and provided doula support along with resource referrals.
“The Healthy Start program in West Georgia has touched the lives of more than 1,000 residents and provided support through doulas and resource referrals,” said Tiffany Bryant interim director for Rural Healthcare Access Partnership.
Wellstar operates over 400 locations across north and west Georgia; its facilities provide specialized care including cancer treatment as well as heart/vascular services according to the official website.
