NGHS strengthens leadership as community needs continue to grow. Published: Tuesday, October 6, 2026 As Northeast Georgia Health System (NGHS) continues to expand services and strengthen care across the region, it's adding four experienced leaders to help guide that growth. "These leaders bring valuable experience and a strong commitment to excellence that will help support our teams and the communities we serve," said Matt Hanley, MD, president and CEO of NGHS. "Their leadership will help ensure we continue delivering high-quality care while thoughtfully growing to meet the needs of our region." On July 27, NGHS welcomed Stephanie Jones, DNP, as its new chief nursing officer for Northeast Georgia Medical Center (NGMC) Gainesville. Dr. Jones, who is also a registered nurse, most recently served as chief nursing officer at Santa Rosa Medical Center in Milton, Florida, and has more than three decades of experience in patient care, quality, operations and workforce development. Her leadership background includes roles across critical care, perioperative services, oncology, behavioral health and medical-surgical nursing. In her new role, Dr. Jones will oversee all nursing operations for NGMC Gainesville. Additionally, Barry Jenkins, MD, was named system chief medical officer for NGHS on Sept. 21. Dr. Jenkins most recently served as chief medical officer of Piedmont Healthcare's hospitals near Augusta, Georgia, overseeing clinical services for its campuses in Augusta, Summerville and Thomson. He earned his medical degree from the Medical University of South Carolina, completed his general surgery residency at the Medical College of Georgia as well as a fellowship at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis. In his role, Dr. Jenkins will oversee quality and safety, accreditation, research and hospital-based clinical services. Callie Andrews joined NGHS as senior vice president of its southern market and service lines on Oct. 5. Andrews most recently served as senior vice president and market president of Wellstar North Fulton Medical Center in Roswell, Georgia, and previously held leadership roles with HCA Healthcare. She earned her bachelor's degree from the University of Georgia and master's degrees from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. In her new role, Andrews will oversee NGHS' southern market, including NGMC Braselton and NGMC Barrow, while also leading system-wide service line development and performance across several key areas. Lastly, William Potter, MD, will join NGHS as chief medical officer of its southern market on Jan. 4 next year. Dr. Potter has been a part of Anesthesia Associates of Gainesville (AAG) since 2019 and has held several leadership roles within his practice and across NGHS since then, including chief of perioperative services for AAG, associate medical director of perioperative services at NGHS and vice chair of the Department of Anesthesia at NGHS.

Hyundai Hope on Wheels donates $400,000 to Wellstar Golisano Children's Hospital of Georgia. Posted: Sep 17, 2026 / 05:29 PM EDT Updated: Sep 17, 2026 / 05:29 PM EDT AUGUSTA, Ga, (WJBF) - Hyundai presented a $400,000 check to the Wellstar Golisano Children's Hospital of Georgia on Thursday. Little patients who were there decorated a while Hyundai vehicle with their painted hand prints. The handprints represent the children who fought cancer and won, those fighting now, and those whose memories live on. Dr. Ted Johnson, a pediatrics professor at Augusta University, shared what the donation means for the fight against cancer. "They weren't cured with their upfront therapy and they essentially don't have options that are known to be curative for them, and that's where the research comes in is in providing the hope of new treatments that may make a big difference for them in the future," he said. "We are still in the fight to end childhood cancer," said Mike Donahue, senior regional manager of merchandising at Hyundai. "Again, you can mark our words right now we are here with you all the way to the end till no family ever has to hear the words you have cancer." This is the 15th year Hyundai's Hope Hope on Wheels has donated to the children's hospital. Photojournalist credit: Gary Hipps

Children's Hospital of Georgia awarded $400K for cancer research. Published: Sep. 17, 2026 at 5:19 AM PDT | Updated: Sep. 17, 2026 at 4:05 PM PDT AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - Hyundai Hope on Wheels is giving a $400,000 grant to Wellstar Golisano Children's Hospital of Georgia for pediatric cancer research. The donation brings the group's total giving to the hospital to more than $1.8 million. Children battling cancer marked the moment by placing painted handprints on a Hyundai vehicle, a symbol of their fight for a cure. Doctor describes impact of funding. Dr. Theodore Johnson, a pediatric oncologist at Wellstar Golisano Children's Hospital, said more than 15,000 children are diagnosed with cancer every year in the U.S. His clinic treats children battling brain cancer who come from across the country for immunotherapy treatments. He said hope is what brings families to Augusta. "Hope that there may be a cure. Hope that they may slow down their disease, hope they can access normal activities of a childhood, birthdays, trips, seeing their friends, things we take for granted."" Johnson said. Johnson said the grant bridges the gap in funding, allowing the hospital to bring clinical treatments to children battling cancer. National totals. Since 1998, Hyundai Hope on Wheels has given more than $303 million nationwide to fund childhood cancer research.