Business & Tech

WellStar Health System Names New President

Candice Saunders takes over as CEO in 2016.

From Marietta-based WellStar Health System:

WellStar Health System, the largest not-for-profit health system in the state of Georgia, announced that Candice Saunders has been promoted to the role of WellStar president & chief operating officer. CEO Reynold Jennings’ contract will end on December 31, 2015, and at that time, Saunders will assume the role of WellStar president & CEO.

As part of the succession planning process, this announcement allows Jennings and Saunders to refine cohesive strategies, goals and objectives that will further WellStar’s vision of providing world-class healthcare. Saunders currently serves as the System’s chief operating officer.

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As COO, Saunders has developed a Hospital Presidents Council with WellStar’s five hospitals that has increased efficiency, enhanced patient satisfaction and improved communication within the System. She also played a key role in developing the open-heart surgery program at WellStar.

Under her leadership, along with senior and physician leaders, WellStar has grown in national prominence and recently was recognized as a 2014 FORTUNE 100 Best Companies Places to Work For® (#39, highest among Georgia-based companies), AARP Best Employers For Workers Over 50, NAFE Top Companies for Executive Women 2014 and Working Mother Magazine’s 100 Best Companies. In addition, Saunders was named to Business to Business Magazine’s Women of Excellence list, which each year recognizes only 15 women for their performance, dynamic leadership and service to the community.

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“WellStar is critical and essential to the communities it serves,” said Saunders, president and chief operating officer of WellStar Health System. “More than 1.4 million people rely on our services to live a healthy life. With my new responsibilities, I will provide leadership continuity to ensure that our System continues to play a major role in providing world-class healthcare to the people of metro Atlanta and northwest Georgia for years to come.”

Read more here.


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