Candice L. Saunders, who has been CEO of Marietta-based Wellstar Health System since July 2015, announced today her intention to retire on June 30.
Saunders, who began her career as a critical care nurse, joined Wellstar in March 2007 as president of Wellstar Kennestone Regional Medical Center. In May 2013, she was promoted to executive vice president and chief operating officer of Wellstar — a position she held until she became its CEO.
Under Saunders’ leadership, Wellstar has grown from its roots as a small group of community hospitals into an extensive nonprofit health system with 11 hospitals, more than 400 medical offices, and 33,000 team members serving more than 3 million patients each year in 148 of Georgia’s 159 counties.
“Candice is a compassionate caregiver and a visionary leader,” said Frank Ros, chairman of the Wellstar board of trustees, in a release. “Under her leadership, Wellstar has forged new community partnerships, implemented new care models and clinical innovations and advanced cutting-edge technologies that are improving health outcomes and enhancing the patient experience. As a result, Wellstar has become an essential provider of quality healthcare for Georgia.”
WellStar also has become a national leader in charity and uncompensated care, providing more than $1 billion annually in healthcare to patients who are uninsured or under-insured.
“I will leave with a full heart. I feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to lead Wellstar and work with so many talented leaders and caregivers, all committed to our vision of providing world-class healthcare to every person, every time,” Saunders said in a statement. “I’m so proud of our team and all we’ve accomplished together.”
The board will conduct a national search for Saunders’ successor, and Ros will chair the search. The board plans to consider both internal and external candidates. Saunders has agreed to remain engaged after June for an undefined period to ensure a smooth transition.
The timing of Saunders’ decision to retire comes after several key milestones at Wellstar.
She was the architect of the partnership between Wellstar and Augusta University’s Medical College of Georgia. The result was Wellstar MCG Health, which has helped strengthen healthcare in the Central Savannah River Area. She also expanded Wellstar’s relationship with Kennesaw State University to help increase the number of nurses in Georgia.
Saunders also had to be involved in some tough decisions. On Oct. 31, 2022, Wellstar closed the Atlanta Medical Center, a Trauma-one level hospital, a controversial move that was widely criticized.
Two years later, Saunders announced a partnership with the Integral Group to develop a community-based plan for the future of the site. The work is being guided by a land-use plan unanimously approved by the Atlanta City Council with support from Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens and the leadership of the local neighborhood association.
Saunders has served in many professional and civic roles over her career, including the American Hospital Association and the Georgia Hospital Association. She also serves on the boards of the Coalition to Strengthen America’s Healthcare, the Metro Atlanta Chamber, the Cobb Chamber of Commerce and Kennesaw State University Foundation.
Seems to me her focus was on expanding the hospital network…thereby making a name for herself.
She should have been focused on the quality of places already in existence. Focus on patient experience. Based on my personal experience at Kennestone, focus has been on expanding revenue at the cost of lowering quality care is what I see has happened over the last 10 years. I would love to see her eat any one of those meals that come out of the kitchen. And spend a night in these dirty rooms.