Medical Laboratory Scientist

Wellstar completes acquisition of critical access hospital in Georgia by Gus Iversen, Editor in Chief | August 12, 2026

Healthcare website privacy: what every organization Should know. Last Updated: Aug 11, 2026 Like & follow: Healthcare website privacy: understanding today's evolving digital landscape. For many years, healthcare organizations have focused primarily on protecting patient information within electronic medical records (EMRs), patient portals, and internal clinical systems. Increasingly, however, attention is turning toward another important part of the digital ecosystem: the healthcare organization's public-facing website. Recent lawsuits, regulatory guidance, state privacy laws, and legal demand letters have prompted many healthcare organizations to take a closer look at the third-party technologies operating on their websites. Analytics platforms, embedded videos, advertising tools, social media widgets, online scheduling services, and other integrations have become an important part of the conversation surrounding digital privacy and governance. While every organization's website is different, one thing has become increasingly clear: understanding what technologies are running on your website - and what information they may collect - is now an important component of responsible website management. Why is this receiving more attention? Healthcare websites have become significantly more sophisticated over the past decade. Modern websites often include: * Website analytics platforms * Advertising and remarketing technologies * Embedded YouTube videos * Podcast players * Interactive maps * Online appointment scheduling * Live chat tools * Patient education resources * Social media integrations Many of these services connect directly to third-party providers when a visitor loads a webpage. Depending on how these technologies are configured, organizations may wish to carefully evaluate what information is being shared, whether those services are necessary, and how they align with their organization's privacy policies and compliance objectives. For many healthcare organizations, the question is no longer simply "Do we use analytics?" but rather, "Do we fully understand every third-party technology operating on our website?" A changing legal landscape. Over the past several years, healthcare organizations have seen increasing legal and regulatory attention surrounding website privacy. Organizations across the country have received legal demand letters requesting detailed inventories of the tracking technologies operating on their websites. At the same time, numerous class action lawsuits have alleged that certain website technologies disclosed patient information to third-party companies without appropriate authorization. One recent example involves Wellstar Health System, which announced a proposed $4.25 million settlement to resolve litigation alleging that tracking technologies on its website and patient portal transmitted patient information to third-party providers. According to publicly filed court documents, the proposed settlement would affect approximately 870,000 individuals who used Wellstar's website or patient portal during the relevant period. Cases like these do not necessarily establish that every healthcare website presents the same risks or requires the same solutions. However, they do illustrate the growing attention being paid to website technologies and digital privacy practices throughout the healthcare industry. Understanding your website's technology stack. One of the most valuable exercises an organization can perform is simply creating an inventory of the technologies operating on its website. Questions worth asking include: * What third-party services are currently running? * Why is each service installed? * What information does it collect or process? * Is it still actively being used? * Are there more privacy-conscious alternatives available? * Should certain technologies load only after visitor consent? * Are its privacy disclosures accurate and up to date? Many organizations discover technologies that were added years ago for marketing campaigns, temporary projects, or legacy integrations that are no longer actively maintained. Regular technology reviews help organizations better understand their digital footprint and make informed decisions about the tools they choose to deploy. Consent Management is becoming more common. Another trend gaining momentum is the use of Consent Management Platforms (CMPs). Rather than simply displaying a cookie notification, modern consent management solutions can allow organizations to: * Present visitors with meaningful privacy choices * Categorize cookies and website technologies * Delay certain third-party services until consent is provided * Maintain visitor consent preferences * Support compliance with evolving privacy regulations Not every healthcare website requires the same level of consent management, but organizations utilizing analytics, advertising platforms, embedded media, or other third-party technologies may benefit from evaluating whether a consent management solution is appropriate for their environment. Practical steps healthcare organizations can take. Organizations don't need to overhaul their websites overnight. Instead, consider a practical, measured approach: * Inventory all third-party technologies operating on your website. * Review analytics, advertising, and embedded media implementations. * Remove outdated or unnecessary services. * Evaluate whether visitor consent management is appropriate. * Review your website privacy policy and disclosures. * Periodically reassess your website as technologies and regulations continue to evolve. These simple steps can improve transparency, reduce unnecessary complexity, and help organizations make informed decisions about their digital infrastructure. Looking ahead. Website privacy will likely remain an important topic for healthcare organizations as technology, patient expectations, and regulatory guidance continue to evolve. The goal is not necessarily to eliminate every third-party service from your website. Rather, it is to understand what technologies are operating on your site, evaluate the value they provide, and ensure they align with your organization's operational needs, privacy practices, and compliance objectives. At Remedy CMS, Remedy CMS help healthcare organizations understand the technologies powering their websites through third-party technology audits, accessibility reviews, analytics assessments, and ongoing website support. Whether you're evaluating consent management, reviewing embedded media, or simply looking to better understand your website's digital footprint, its team is here to help you make informed decisions with confidence. Ready to transform your practice's digital experience? Contact Remedy CMS today to schedule a demo. Trusted by.

AU celebrates the new Wellstar Columbia County Medical Center. Monday, August 10th, 2026 Augusta University President Russell T. Keen joined Georgia Gov. Brian P. Kemp, University System of Georgia Chancellor Sonny Perdue and Wellstar President and CEO Ketul J. Patel for the grand opening of the Wellstar Columbia County Medical Center in Grovetown on Tuesday, Aug. 4. The event celebrated the completion of Georgia's newest hospital and the continued partnership between Wellstar Health System, the University System of Georgia, the Medical College of Georgia, Wellstar MCG Health and Augusta University. This new facility will expand access to care while providing opportunities for students and residents to learn, train and prepare for the future of healthcare in Georgia. Wellstar Columbia County Medical Center will be open to serve the community and see patients on Wednesday, Aug. 26. "This hospital will change lives," Keen said during the grand opening of the Wellstar Columbia County Medical Center. "It will change lives by training tomorrow's healthcare workforce, and it will save lives by bringing world-class care home to Columbia County, the CSRA and the state of Georgia. That is our mission. That is the partnership promise, and that is why today matters." Keen said it took an entire community of leaders to make this medical center a reality. "More than a decade ago, a group of leaders looked at Columbia County and saw what could be: a state-of-the-art teaching hospital with exceptional care close to home and a new generation of healthcare professionals trained right here," Keen said. "Today, what seemed like a long and winding road has finally become a reality. It is the power, the partnership and the perseverance and the understanding that none of this happens alone. When looking at the number of people committed to making this happen, it could best be described as a marathon relay race as numerous people and teams involved pass the baton for those who followed them to complete the task." "This hospital will change lives. It will change lives by training tomorrow's healthcare workforce, and it will save lives by bringing world-class care home to Columbia County, the CSRA and the state of Georgia. That is our mission. That is the partnership promise, and that is why today matters."- Augusta University President Russell T. Keen Specifically, Keen said this hospital wouldn't have been possible without the support of the governor, the chancellor, the Board of Regents, the House speaker, past and current Columbia County commissioners and members of the local legislative delegation. "Gov. Brian Kemp has stood behind Augusta University and our community every step of the way," Keen said. "Chancellor Sonny Perdue championed this partnership from the beginning of his tenure and helped carry it across the finish line from concept to reality. The USG Board of Regents including our own Regent Jim Hull have been tireless advocates for this university and for health care across our state." "I want to thank House Speaker Jon Burns and all the members of our state legislature who supported this partnership and all of our federal delegation for championing the health of communities that we all serve," Keen added. "To the leaders and the citizens of Columbia County, thank you. Thank you for trusting us with the vision rom Day One." The governor said this new hospital in Grovetown will have a far-reaching impact on healthcare across the state. "It has been the top priority in my administration really since Day One to put patients first, growing access to quality and affordable healthcare," Kemp said. "This new hospital will not only fill an important need in this part of our state, but it will also build on our ongoing efforts to connect Georgians to quality healthcare, no matter their zip code." This new, 100-inpatient-bed hospital offers a Level II trauma center, on-site imaging, state-of-the-art labs and operating rooms, along with a medical office building for primary care and women's health needs that will bring a high level of care to this ever-growing region, Kemp said. "Before today, this was the largest county in the state without a designated hospital. And now it will directly benefit from expert care and quality service," Kemp said. "This facility will also help prepare the next generation of healthcare providers and leaders in nearby MCG for their careers in medicine and training those who will serve in counties all over this state." Residents in nearby rural areas such as Lincoln, McDuffie and Taliaferro counties will also benefit from this new facility, Kemp said. "There is no doubt today will serve rural Georgians well," Kemp said, commending Augusta University, the Medical College of Georgia, the chancellor, Wellstar, and local and state leaders for their tremendous support of this project over the past few years. "This is an incredible day. You don't get to do this every day in any state in the country, much less here in Columbia County, Georgia." "It has been the top priority in my administration really since Day One to put patients first, growing access to quality and affordable healthcare. This new hospital will not only fill an important need in this part of our state, but it will also build on our ongoing efforts to connect Georgians to quality healthcare, no matter their zip code." -Georgia Gov. Brian P. Kemp Kemp specifically thanked Columbia County Chairman Doug Duncan and former commissioners Ron Cross and Trey Allen for their leadership in helping to bring this hospital to Grovetown. "You are brave policy makers here in Columbia County and that is not always easy to do, but you've done some great things. This is one of them," he said. "And your legacy will be served well for the tough decisions that you've had to make." The governor also thanked State Reps. Gary Richardson, Mark Newton, Rob Leverett, Rob Clifton and State Sen. Max Burns along with U.S. Rep. Rick Allen for their continued support of not only this project, but for initiatives throughout the state of Georgia. "Projects like this require the support from all levels," Kemp said. "And I want to thank them and their partnership in the General Assembly and on the local level throughout my last seven and a half years, not just on this project, but many things that we've been able to do in the state. It was truly a team effort." The project also would not have been possible without the leadership of Keen, MCG Dean David Hess, MD, the Board of Regents and the chancellor, Kemp said. "Russell and Mrs. Keen have been a big part of that with your leadership over the years and across our state, but certainly here in Augusta and at the university. I want to thank Dean Hess as well," he said. "Great leaders making tough decisions a lot of times to keep our state moving forward." "When you define quality of life, healthcare has to be included. That's what people look for when they're going to move and decide where they're going to go. Columbia County does an amazing job attracting and growing citizens that way here." - University System of Georgia Chancellor Sonny Perdue Perdue agreed, saying it takes a "real village" to bring a massive project like this hospital to fruition. "We, the University System of Georgia, Augusta University and the Medical College of Georgia are especially pleased with the partnership that we've had with Wellstar," Perdue said. "When you define quality of life, healthcare has to be included. That's what people look for when they're going to move and decide where they're going to go. Columbia County does an amazing job attracting and growing citizens that way here." Perdue also commended Kemp for understanding that higher education is the "pathway for better life and better prosperity." "He has prioritized our state's critical needs for more physicians and healthcare professionals. So as governor, he committed to this partnership early on with Augusta University and the Board of Regents," Perdue said. "I believe that's why we're sitting here today." "Today's celebration is a powerful example of what can happen when healthcare leaders, community leaders, educators, public officials and residents come together around a shared vision." - Wellstar CEO Ketul J. Patel Patel said it is an honor to expand healthcare services to this region and beyond. "When a new hospital comes to life, it creates opportunities that will benefit a community for generations," Patel said. "This hospital was designed to grow alongside this region, with flexible spaces, advanced technology and a strong foundation for the future. Most importantly, every decision was guided by one question: how do we best serve the people who will receive care here?" "Today's celebration is a powerful example of what can happen when healthcare leaders, community leaders, educators, public officials and residents come together around a shared vision," he added. "We are proud to be part of that partnership, and we're excited about the impact this medical center will have on patients and families for years to come."