As president and CEO since 2015, Saunders has used her background as a critical-care nurse to lead the nine-hospital organization with a spirit of understanding and collaboration. Saunders joined the health system in 2007 as president of Kennestone Hospital before being promoted to executive vice president and chief operating officer in 2013. She has also served on the American Hospital Association Board of Trustees. Recently, Wellstar under Saunders' leadership announced it would invest nearly $5 million toward expanded access to primary and preventive care services through theSouthside Medical Center, a federally qualified health center, following the transition of its Atlanta Medical Center South hospital to an urgent care clinic.