Life will be made a little bit easier for younger patients in Augusta, thanks to a former payroll company executive and philanthropist.
The hospital formally recognized the renaming of the hospital to Wellstar Golisano Children’s Hospital of Georgia.
ABD first told you about the $50 million gift at the end of 2025. It remains the largest sum in the history of both Wellstar and the Children’s Hospital.
The Wellstar Golisano Children’s Hospital of Georgia cares for children from every county in Georgia and children from neighboring states.
The group is, from left, Sharon Robinson, interim COO for Wellstar Foundation; Dr. Dan Rahn, Chair for the WMCG Regional Health Board. Dr. Carrie Stinson, Wellstar Chief of Pediatrics; Annie Murphy, Golisano Children’s Alliance Coordinator at the B. Thomas Golisano Foundation; Dr. Valera Hudson, Pediatrician-in-Chief of Wellstar Golisano Children’s Hospital of Georgia; Dr. James St. Louis, Chief of Pediatric Cardiothoracic Surgery and Congenital Cardiologist at Wellstar Golisano Children’s Hospital of Georgia; Ralph Turner, President of Wellstar MCG Health; and Dr. Charles Howell, Pediatric Surgeon at Wellstar Golisano Children’s Hospital of Georgia.
Wellstar leaders, caregivers, community members, and special guests celebrate what they are saying is a transformational impact.
“Tom Golisano believes in the people doing the work, and he believes that when you give those people the resources to do great work, they can accomplish extraordinary things. He believes in the Wellstar Golisano Children’s Hospital of Georgia,” said Annie Murphy, coordinator for the Golisano Children’s Alliance. “With the Level 1 Pediatric Trauma Center, a Level IV NICU and an ECMO program, this facility offers critical life-saving services that are essential resources for families throughout the region.”
Dr. Valera Hudson, pediatrician in chief for Wellstar Golisano Children’s Hospital of Georgia, shared the impact philanthropy can have on the quality of care for children. Funds from the investment are supporting strategic pediatric initiatives, including enhancements to high-acuity pediatric services and creating a new Pediatric Cardiac ICU, further expanding specialized care for children across the region.
“No children’s hospital thrives without philanthropy. That is required in order to have the resources to advance the care of children. The Golisano donation is at a level that is unprecedented for us,” she said. “Through philanthropic support, we have been able to expand our ICU beds from 14 to 22 as a steppingstone to ultimately have a completely new, separate cardiac ICU. This will be distinct from our general ICU to further elevate the level of specialty care we offer.”
