WellStar Hires New Lead for Cancer Program

Submitted press release

WellStar Health System is leading the way for cancer care in metro Atlanta.  Joel Helmke joins WellStar as corporate vice president of oncology services. He previously held a leadership position at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. At WellStar, Helmke will utilize the System’s state-of-the-art technology, innovative physicians and collaborative relationship with the Mayo Clinic Care Network to ensure patients receive world-class care.

Helmke will assist WellStar in the further development of the oncology program on all levels, enabling patients to receive outstanding treatments, outcomes and customer service.  He will have operational leadership of the cancer registry, radiation oncology, infusion, navigators and CyberKnife.  Additionally, Helmke will be able to rely on WellStar’s relationship with the Mayo Clinic Care Network through eConsults and Tumor Board for the most complicated cancer cases. Recently, the Mayo Clinic was named the best U.S. hospital by U.S. News & World Report. 

“WellStar has the ambitious goal of becoming the premier provider of oncology services within the Southeast,” said Candice Saunders, president and COO of WellStar Health System.  “To be the best, we must hire the best. Joel Helmke is a proven leader from one of the most prestigious cancer centers in the country. He will be a great resource as WellStar continues to grow its oncology program.”

Prior to joining WellStar, Helmke held leadership positions for 14 years at MD Anderson. Most recently, he served as Division Administrator of Internal Medicine and managed four clinical centers and nine academic departments.  In that role, Helmke also led an effort to develop the facility’s plan to support Prevention and Survivorship Service Lines, projected to support 55,000 unique patients generating 110,000 visits.

He earned a Bachelor of Science in psychology from the University of Houston and a Master of Science in healthcare administration from Texas State University. He is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives.

About WellStar Health System

Recognized as the fifth most integrated healthcare delivery system in the country, WellStar Health System is the largest not-for-profit health system in Georgia and serves a population of more than 1.4 million residents in five counties. The vision of WellStar is to deliver world-class healthcare. A national leader in the transformation of healthcare delivery, WellStar launched the Center for Health Transformation and the Georgia Health Collaborative that will have far-reaching effects on healthcare both locally and nationally. WellStar includes WellStar Kennestone Regional Medical Center (anchored by WellStar Kennestone Hospital) and WellStar Cobb, Douglas, Paulding and Windy Hill hospitals; WellStar Medical Group; Urgent Care Centers; Health Parks; Pediatric Center; Health Place; Homecare; Hospice; Atherton Place; Paulding Nursing and Rehabilitation Center; and the WellStar Foundation. For more information, call 770-956-STAR or visit wellstar.org.