WellStar CEO Reynold Jennings received the inaugural Visionary Leadership Award. The award, given out at this year’s WellStar Foundation Grand Gala, honors an individual or corporation in our community for exemplary leadership in support of world-class healthcare. Jennings joined WellStar in 2011. During his tenure, Jennings has shepherded the health system into the future by implementing a strategic focus on providing world-class care to our communities through innovative care models and partnerships.

“I have been privileged to work alongside Reynold Jennings,” said Gary Miller, chair of WellStar Board of Trustees. “He has shown great passion and commitment as well as tremendous investment in our healthcare system. I am better for having worked with him. Our entire community has benefited significantly from the transformational leadership modeled by this individual.”

“Reynold Jennings is truly a visionary leader, who plans for the future with imagination and wisdom,” said Candice Saunders, president and chief operating officer for WellStar Health System. “His commitment to excellence is truly amazing, and I can think of no one more deserving of this inaugural award.”

The WellStar Foundation Grand Gala is continuously one of the largest fundraising events in Northwest Georgia. This year’s “Star Light, Star Bright” event raised more than $265,000 for much needed equipment in WellStar neonatal intensive care units (NICU) to serve the most fragile of lives, as well as vein finders for patients of all ages. More than 9,000 babies are born in WellStar hospitals each year. Of those, more than 600 are NICU babies and need this specialized equipment and enhanced level of care.
The Foundation Gala also served as an opportunity to honor the physicians who provide world-class healthcare for our community, going above and beyond to make a difference in their patients’ lives every day.

Photo WellStar President and Chief Operating Officer Candice Saunders (far right) presented the Distinguished Physician Award at the 2015 WellStar Foundation Grand Gala. Pictured from left to right: Avril Beckford, M.D., chief pediatrics officer; Saurabh Desai, M.D., internal medicine and geriatrician; Paula Greaves, M.D., obstetrics and gynecology; Lawrence Rowley, M.D., obstetrics and gynecology; Girish Shroff, M.D. internal medicine and geriatrician; and Jeffrey Tharp, M.D., chief medicine division officer. Rachel Lipson, M.D. (second from right) accepted the award for Brenda Marino, M.D. and James Metcalf, M.D., neonatologists who were with patients at the time of the event.

In all, eight physicians received the Distinguished Physician Award:

• Avril Beckford, M.D., chief pediatrics officer
• Saurabh Desai, M.D., internal medicine and geriatrician
• Paula Greaves, M.D., obstetrics and gynecology
• Brenda Marino, M.D. neonatologist
• James Metcalf, M.D., neonatologist
• Lawrence Rowley, M.D., obstetrics and gynecology
• Girish Shroff, M.D. internal medicine and geriatrician
• Jeffrey Tharp, M.D., chief medicine division officer

WellStar Foundation raises community support and funds to help accomplish WellStar Health System’s mission as a not-for-profit to create and deliver high-quality hospital, physician and other healthcare-related services that improve the health and well-being of the individuals and communities WellStar serves. To partner with the WellStar Foundation and support world-class healthcare in our community, please visit WellStar.org/give or call (770) 956-GIVE.