Wellstar Health System is accepting proposals (applications) from community partners for participation in the next cohorts of the Live To The Beat. Powered By Wellstar program whose aim is to help adults take steps to prevent heart disease and stroke with an emphasis on lifestyle topics that impact hypertension. This program is in response to the call for improved access to care and healthy living as outlined in our five strategic domains of our Wellstar’s Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA).
Submission Steps
Proposals are being requested through a one-step process in the application portal Survey Monkey Apply.
Step 1 Full Proposal – Due Apr 30, 2026:
Each proposal is carefully considered, and we encourage all partners to review this Request for Proposals in full. Priority will be given to partners who:
- Wellstar’s Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) Alignment: Congregations with a membership base reflective of the target populations at higher risk for hypertension and cardiovascular disease (e.g., African American adults and families in Metro Atlanta). (https://www.wellstar.org/about-us/pages/community-health-needs-assessment.aspx).
- Engaged Congregation: Congregations with a track record of active participation in community programs and events, especially those related to health education or lifestyle changes.
- History of Community Outreach: Churches involved in broader community engagement or partnerships that align with health equity and wellness initiatives.
- Active Health and Wellness Ministry: Churches with established or developing health-focused ministries or committees that engage regularly in health promotion activities.
- Leadership Support: Strong commitment from church leadership (pastors, deacons, ministry heads) to champion the program, ensure active member participation, and uphold program logistics—including consistent adherence to scheduled start and end times—to maximize program success and return on investment.
- Capacity for Program Implementation: Ability to provide space for meetings, facilitate communication, and support the scheduling a one-time Kick Off LTTB/ Passport To Health Event for enrolling interested congregation members and consistent monthly health education classes for 6 months thereafter.
- Willingness to Collaborate: Openness to partner with Wellstar’s Center for Health Equity, community health workers, and program staff for data tracking and ongoing program evaluation.
Eligibility
Wellstar Health System will partner with two congregations from Wellstar’s Congregational Health Network (CHN) with a demonstrated commitment to improving the health and wellness of their members.
- If not currently a CHN member, the congregation must agree to join upon selection.
- Selected congregations must commit to a 6-month program implementation period beginning June 2026.
About Live to The Beat. Powered By Wellstar
Over 40% of Atlantans live with hypertension—one of the highest rates globally among African Americans. Live to the Beat. Powered by Wellstar directly responds to the call for improved access to care and healthy living, aligning with Wellstar’s 2025 Community Health Needs Assessment priorities.
This program is a community-based, heart health education initiative developed in partnership with the CDC Foundation, Million Hearts®, and the American Heart Association. Through the trusted setting of local congregations, the program empowers adults to take action on the most important steps to prevent heart disease and stroke.
Program Structure:
Participating congregations will host a structured series of activities:
- Kickoff Event: Passport to Health (open to the entire congregation)
- Monthly Classes (6 total):
- Know Your Numbers | Build Healthy Habits
- Eat Healthy | Manage Your Cholesterol
- Partner With Your Doctor
- Move More
- Stress Less
- Manage Your Blood Sugar | Graduation
- Post-Graduation: 6-month enrollment in SocialRx (formerly Art Pharmacy), a social prescribing program connecting participants to arts and culture activities in their community that improve health and well-being
What Congregations & Participants Receive
Selected congregations will be fully equipped with tools, resources, and support to ensure program success and long-term impact. Program components include:
- Streamlined Format: A redesigned 6-month program model (reduced from 12 months) to maximize participation and sustainability.
- Community Health Worker (CHW): A dedicated CHW serving as a health coach to empower members to improve cardiovascular health while addressing social determinants of health (SDOH) through referrals to free community resources via the Wellstar Find Help portal.
- Home BP Monitoring Devices: Each participant receives a home blood pressure monitoring device to track and manage their blood pressure at home.
- Lifestyle Kits: Monthly class-specific lifestyle kits to help participants practically apply lessons learned in daily life.
- Nutrition Support: Monthly meal kits with recipe cards and groceries delivered directly to participants’ homes through our partnership with Open Hand Atlanta.
- Engaging Learning Experiences: Interactive classes and guest speakers featuring clinical and community experts.
- Evaluation & Impact Measurement: Pre- and post-program evaluation surveys to measure knowledge gained, heart health outcomes, positive behavior change, and satisfaction.
- Post-Graduation Engagement: 6-month enrollment in SocialRx (formerly Art Pharmacy) to sustain health outcomes through arts and cultural engagement. Every participant will receive 6 monthly free doses of their “social prescription” with a buddy pass to engage in a culture/arts activity with a friend to promote social wellbeing.
- Sustainability Tools: Continued integration with Wellstar’s CHN for future initiatives and partnership opportunities.
Evidence of Success
The pilot program demonstrated measurable improvements in clinical outcomes, behavior change, and satisfaction:
Mount Olive SDA (2024–2025, 18 enrolled):
- 90% attendance; 100% 5-star satisfaction
- 82% reported positive behavior change
- 61% improved blood pressure readings
- 3 participants reported medication reduction
First Baptist (2024–2025, 14 enrolled):
- 74% attendance; 4.7-star satisfaction
- 80% reported positive behavior change
- 43% improved blood pressure readings
- 2 participants reported medication reduction
These results highlight the program’s effectiveness in not only raising awareness but also fostering measurable lifestyle changes and improved clinical outcomes.
Important Dates
- Full Proposal Deadline: April 30, 2026
- Announcement of Award: May 8, 2026
- Program Launch: July 2026 (Kickoff P2H Event date to be coordination with church)
Full Proposal Review
A proposal will meet the following criteria:
- Identification of a target population experiencing health disparities aligned with Wellstar’s CHNA findings
- Evidence of past success in community engagement, health education, or lifestyle programs
- Demonstrated leadership support for implementation
- Capacity to facilitate the kickoff event and host all classes
Scoring Criteria
Proposals will be reviewed by Wellstar Health System based on fulfillment of criteria using a defined rubric.
About Us
Wellstar Health System (“Wellstar”), one of the largest integrated health systems in Georgia, is known nationally for its innovative care models, focused on improving quality and access to healthcare. At Wellstar, we are proud to be a strong partner and advocate for healthier communities. The Live to the Beat Powered by Wellstar Program is a Community Health partnership initiative. This initiative accelerates our strategic efforts to address the priority health needs of the communities that unfairly experience more negative health outcomes than others.
Contact Us
Wellstar Health System
Community Health Department
2025 Live to the Beat Powered by Wellstar
Live To The Beat Powered By Wellstar
Wellstar Health System is accepting proposals (applications) from community partners for participation in the next cohorts of the Live To The Beat. Powered By Wellstar program whose aim is to help adults take steps to prevent heart disease and stroke with an emphasis on lifestyle topics that impact hypertension. This program is in response to the call for improved access to care and healthy living as outlined in our five strategic domains of our Wellstar’s Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA).
Submission Steps
Proposals are being requested through a one-step process in the application portal Survey Monkey Apply.
Step 1 Full Proposal – Due Apr 30, 2026:
Each proposal is carefully considered, and we encourage all partners to review this Request for Proposals in full. Priority will be given to partners who:
- Wellstar’s Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) Alignment: Congregations with a membership base reflective of the target populations at higher risk for hypertension and cardiovascular disease (e.g., African American adults and families in Metro Atlanta). (https://www.wellstar.org/about-us/pages/community-health-needs-assessment.aspx).
- Engaged Congregation: Congregations with a track record of active participation in community programs and events, especially those related to health education or lifestyle changes.
- History of Community Outreach: Churches involved in broader community engagement or partnerships that align with health equity and wellness initiatives.
- Active Health and Wellness Ministry: Churches with established or developing health-focused ministries or committees that engage regularly in health promotion activities.
- Leadership Support: Strong commitment from church leadership (pastors, deacons, ministry heads) to champion the program, ensure active member participation, and uphold program logistics—including consistent adherence to scheduled start and end times—to maximize program success and return on investment.
- Capacity for Program Implementation: Ability to provide space for meetings, facilitate communication, and support the scheduling a one-time Kick Off LTTB/ Passport To Health Event for enrolling interested congregation members and consistent monthly health education classes for 6 months thereafter.
- Willingness to Collaborate: Openness to partner with Wellstar’s Center for Health Equity, community health workers, and program staff for data tracking and ongoing program evaluation.
Eligibility
Wellstar Health System will partner with two congregations from Wellstar’s Congregational Health Network (CHN) with a demonstrated commitment to improving the health and wellness of their members.
- If not currently a CHN member, the congregation must agree to join upon selection.
- Selected congregations must commit to a 6-month program implementation period beginning June 2026.
About Live to The Beat. Powered By Wellstar
Over 40% of Atlantans live with hypertension—one of the highest rates globally among African Americans. Live to the Beat. Powered by Wellstar directly responds to the call for improved access to care and healthy living, aligning with Wellstar’s 2025 Community Health Needs Assessment priorities.
This program is a community-based, heart health education initiative developed in partnership with the CDC Foundation, Million Hearts®, and the American Heart Association. Through the trusted setting of local congregations, the program empowers adults to take action on the most important steps to prevent heart disease and stroke.
Program Structure:
Participating congregations will host a structured series of activities:
- Kickoff Event: Passport to Health (open to the entire congregation)
- Monthly Classes (6 total):
- Know Your Numbers | Build Healthy Habits
- Eat Healthy | Manage Your Cholesterol
- Partner With Your Doctor
- Move More
- Stress Less
- Manage Your Blood Sugar | Graduation
- Post-Graduation: 6-month enrollment in SocialRx (formerly Art Pharmacy), a social prescribing program connecting participants to arts and culture activities in their community that improve health and well-being
What Congregations & Participants Receive
Selected congregations will be fully equipped with tools, resources, and support to ensure program success and long-term impact. Program components include:
- Streamlined Format: A redesigned 6-month program model (reduced from 12 months) to maximize participation and sustainability.
- Community Health Worker (CHW): A dedicated CHW serving as a health coach to empower members to improve cardiovascular health while addressing social determinants of health (SDOH) through referrals to free community resources via the Wellstar Find Help portal.
- Home BP Monitoring Devices: Each participant receives a home blood pressure monitoring device to track and manage their blood pressure at home.
- Lifestyle Kits: Monthly class-specific lifestyle kits to help participants practically apply lessons learned in daily life.
- Nutrition Support: Monthly meal kits with recipe cards and groceries delivered directly to participants’ homes through our partnership with Open Hand Atlanta.
- Engaging Learning Experiences: Interactive classes and guest speakers featuring clinical and community experts.
- Evaluation & Impact Measurement: Pre- and post-program evaluation surveys to measure knowledge gained, heart health outcomes, positive behavior change, and satisfaction.
- Post-Graduation Engagement: 6-month enrollment in SocialRx (formerly Art Pharmacy) to sustain health outcomes through arts and cultural engagement. Every participant will receive 6 monthly free doses of their “social prescription” with a buddy pass to engage in a culture/arts activity with a friend to promote social wellbeing.
- Sustainability Tools: Continued integration with Wellstar’s CHN for future initiatives and partnership opportunities.
Evidence of Success
The pilot program demonstrated measurable improvements in clinical outcomes, behavior change, and satisfaction:
Mount Olive SDA (2024–2025, 18 enrolled):
- 90% attendance; 100% 5-star satisfaction
- 82% reported positive behavior change
- 61% improved blood pressure readings
- 3 participants reported medication reduction
First Baptist (2024–2025, 14 enrolled):
- 74% attendance; 4.7-star satisfaction
- 80% reported positive behavior change
- 43% improved blood pressure readings
- 2 participants reported medication reduction
These results highlight the program’s effectiveness in not only raising awareness but also fostering measurable lifestyle changes and improved clinical outcomes.
Important Dates
- Full Proposal Deadline: April 30, 2026
- Announcement of Award: May 8, 2026
- Program Launch: July 2026 (Kickoff P2H Event date to be coordination with church)
Full Proposal Review
A proposal will meet the following criteria:
- Identification of a target population experiencing health disparities aligned with Wellstar’s CHNA findings
- Evidence of past success in community engagement, health education, or lifestyle programs
- Demonstrated leadership support for implementation
- Capacity to facilitate the kickoff event and host all classes
Scoring Criteria
Proposals will be reviewed by Wellstar Health System based on fulfillment of criteria using a defined rubric.
About Us
Wellstar Health System (“Wellstar”), one of the largest integrated health systems in Georgia, is known nationally for its innovative care models, focused on improving quality and access to healthcare. At Wellstar, we are proud to be a strong partner and advocate for healthier communities. The Live to the Beat Powered by Wellstar Program is a Community Health partnership initiative. This initiative accelerates our strategic efforts to address the priority health needs of the communities that unfairly experience more negative health outcomes than others.
Contact Us
Wellstar Health System
Community Health Department
2025 Live to the Beat Powered by Wellstar