Working Mother magazine named WellStar Health System one of the “Best Companies for Hourly Workers” for 2013.  Only 12 companies in the country were named to this list, which distinguishes employers that have the best policies and programs for promoting women and a dynamic work life culture.

Hourly workers make up 81% of WellStar’s workforce, and nearly 70% of those workers participate in WellStar’s medical plan. More than half of WellStar’s hourly female team members opt for coverage under WellStar’s medical plan.

The survey, conducted by the Working Mother Research Institute, reveals that 41% of hourly employees at the Best Companies participate in family health insurance programs through their employers, and 61% participate in employer-sponsored personal health insurance programs.

“We are proud to be recognized for our outstanding world-class benefits, work life programs and for fostering a culture that supports our valued team members,” says David Anderson, executive vice president , human resources, organizational learning and chief compliance officer for WellStar Health System.

Women in full-time service jobs are often completely uninsured, with 35 percent of restaurant workers, 36 percent of cashiers and 26 percent of retail sales assistants lacking insurance versus only 16 percent of all U.S. women, according to an analysis of 2010 Census Bureau data by the National Women’s Law Center. All of the 2013 Best Companies offer career advancement opportunities, including technology training and mentoring. Ten out of the twelve offer career counseling and language skills training.

WellStar joins other Best Companies, including Best Buy, General Motors, Hilton Worldwide, Marriott International and Capital One Financial. The full results of the Working Mother Best Companies for Hourly Workers report can be found at:  workingmother.com/hourly.

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The WellStar Foundation’s 16th Annual Grand Gala, one of metro Atlanta’s most distinguished fundraising events, will be held on Saturday, April 20th at the Cobb Galleria and this year’s theme is everyone’s favorite sport – football. The “Gridiron Gala” will be a call for action to tackle cancer before it has a chance for a first down.

All proceeds from the Gala will benefit WellStar’s A Campaign Today for More Tomorrows, which seeks to align all cancer services under one roof, ensure that WellStar physicians are involved in the latest research with the most up-to-date technology, provide needed patient and family support services and patient assistance, and expand its early detection programs for cancer.

“Every family has been touched by cancer in some way,” said Tracey Atwater, president of the WellStar Foundation. “The Gridiron Gala will be a great mix of sports, philanthropy and good times, all supporting a very important cause.”

The evening kicks-off at 6:30 with a silent auction followed by dinner and the program. Following the program will be a Gridiron Gala Post Game Party, which will feature live entertainment, cocktails, dancing and dessert. Attire for the evening is cocktail in your team’s colors.

The WellStar Foundation Annual Grand Gala raises support and awareness to help WellStar Health System achieve its vision of delivering world-class healthcare. In just the past three years, this event has raised more than $1 million dollars that has been used to fight two diseases that impact more Georgians than any other – cardiac disease and cancer.

For Gridiron Gala ticket and sponsorship information, please visit www.wellstar.org/gala. For more information on WellStar’s A Campaign Today for More Tomorrows, please visit www.wellstar.org/moretomorrows.

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WellStar Health System is celebrating the 20th anniversary of WellStar’s Sleep Medicine Program.

Sleep centers are located at WellStar Douglas, Paulding, and Windy Hill Hospitals and the WellStar Acworth Health Park. The Sleep Medicine program now offers home sleep testing and plans to open two additional sleep centers at South Cherokee Medical Center in Woodstock and at the new East Cobb Health Park, slated to open September 2014.

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WellStar Health System has recently joined HeartCaring® and is committed to practicing gender-sensitive cardiovascular medicine.

Developed in a partnership with the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), HeartCaring® was created to proactively address the growing body of research that demonstrates an under-diagnosis of cardiovascular disease in women. Despite treatment and diagnostic advances, there is a need for healthcare systems and clinicians to better understand gender variations in symptoms of cardiovascular diseases and conditions such as peripheral arterial disease (P.A.D.) and stroke.

“I am so pleased that WellStar has chosen to join HeartCaring®,” said WellStar cardiologist Mindy Gentry, M.D. “Women’s symptoms of heart disease are often very different from men, and it’s important that physicians and community members are educated about the symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular disease, P.A.D, and stroke in women. ”

HeartCaring® physicians provide patients with educational tools encouraging women patients to make positive, healthy choices to prevent cardiovascular disease. As part of our participation in the HeartCaring® initiative, WellStar will continue providing evidence-based education and community outreach to encourage healthy lifestyle choices.

Cardiovascular diseases remain the leading cause of death in the U.S. According to the American Heart Association, heart disease causes one in three women’s deaths each year, and ninety percent of women have one or more risk factors for developing heart disease.

WellStar’s HeartCaring® is a national program powered by Spirit Health Group® and activated by the Spirit of Women hospital network. The Spirit of Women, which WellStar is a part of, ascribes to the highest standards of excellence in women’s health, education, and community outreach. Community members have several opportunities to learn more about this program, while gaining knowledge of heart health, at several Speaking about Wellness for Women and Speaking about Wellness for Seniors during the month of February. Please call (770) 956-STAR for more information or to register.

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Attend the Community Health Wellness Expo at Wellstar Health Place, Thursday, January 31, 5-8pm, 330 Kennestone Hospital Blvd Marietta 30060. FREE Health Screenings BMI, Blood Pressure, Glucose, Total Cholesterol Big Peach Running Company Farmer’s Market Baskets GNC Fresh ‘N Fit Cuisine Juice Plus Chair massages Planets Smoothie And more!

Parking is in the Cancer Center deck off Tower Road. Parking will be validated.

For more info, visit www.wellstarhealthplace.org/expo or call 770-793-7305.