May 12, 2026- Wellstar Health System announced recently it is expanding access to maternal healthcare in rural Georgia through a new Rural Community Consortium serving nine counties identified as maternity care deserts. Backed by a $1.2 million grant from the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration, the initiative connects healthcare providers, public health agencies and community organizations to coordinate care and support for expectant and new mothers.
The program, anchored by Wellstar MCG Health Medical Center’s Rural Healthcare Access Partnership, will serve women and families in Jefferson, Burke, Emanuel, Washington, Glascock, Warren, McDuffie, Jenkins and Johnson counties. Services include prenatal and postnatal care coordination, childbirth and parenting education, breastfeeding support, doula and midwifery services, and access to resources such as housing assistance, food programs and transportation support.
According to Wellstar, the effort addresses growing maternal health challenges across Georgia, where more than 15% of women live over 30 minutes from a hospital offering maternity services. Health leaders say reducing travel barriers and expanding local support could help improve maternal and infant health outcomes, particularly in underserved rural communities.
The initiative builds on Wellstar’s existing Healthy Start program in west Georgia, which has already served more than 1,300 mothers, fathers and infants since launching in 2024.