Wellstar Health System

Health System with 9 hospitals across 1 state

Health System Overview

Health SystemWellstar Health System
Total Hospitals9
Commercial/Acute Hospitals9
Total Beds2456
Commercial/Acute Beds2456
HeadquartersMarietta, GA
Websitewellstar.org

Hospitals by Type

Acute Care Hospital
8 hospitals
89% of health system
Critical Access Hospital
1 hospitals
11% of health system

Teaching Status

22%
Teaching
Teaching Hospitals: 2
Non-Teaching Hospitals: 7
Teaching hospitals serve as educational institutions for medical professionals while providing patient care.

Hospital Locations

Leaflet © OpenStreetMap contributors © CARTO

Hospitals in this Health System

HospitalTypeBedsTeachingRecently Joined
Wellstar West Georgia Medical CenterAcute Care Hospital276NoNo
Wellstar Spalding Medical CenterAcute Care Hospital160NoNo
Wellstar MCG HealthAcute Care Hospital632YesYes
Wellstar Kennestone Regional Medical CenterAcute Care Hospital633YesNo
Wellstar Paulding Medical CenterAcute Care Hospital 83NoNo
Wellstar Cobb HospitalAcute Care Hospital382NoNo
Wellstar Douglas Medical CenterAcute Care Hospital 98NoNo
Wellstar North Fulton Medical CenterAcute Care Hospital167NoNo
Wellstar Sylvan Grove Medical CenterCritical Access Hospital 25NoNo

Recent News

Jun 16, 2025
A CIO Podcast episode released by Healthcare IT Today on June 16, 2025, featured Faisal Hussain and discussed Clinical Documentation Improvement (CDI) with a connection to Wellstar Health System. The conversation explored the potential impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on CDI, including the use of AI Medical Scribes and Ambient Clinical Voice technologies. The discussion aimed to analyze how these AI-driven technologies could influence and potentially transform the process of clinical documentation.
Jun 12, 2025
According to a press release from Sharecare, dated June 12, 2025, Wellstar Health System is involved in a partnership. The press release, titled "Sharecare introduces new interactive solutions to elevate health literacy and increase condition-specific treatment adherence," mentions this development. While the primary focus of the press release appears to be on Sharecare's new solutions, it indicates an ongoing collaboration with Wellstar.
Jun 12, 2025
Wellstar Health System based in Marietta, Ga., was recognized with an award for Electronic Advertising at the 42nd Annual Healthcare Advertising Awards. These awards, announced in May by Health Care Marketing Report, are judged on criteria including creativity, quality, effectiveness of the message, consumer appeal, and graphic design. Winning in the electronic advertising category indicates Wellstar's utilization of technology and digital platforms in their marketing efforts was recognized for its excellence.
Jun 12, 2025
Wellstar Kennestone Regional Medical Center, located in Marietta, GA, has achieved elite national recognition in cardiothoracic surgery. The hospital earned the highest possible rating, three stars, in four categories evaluated by the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS). This places Wellstar Kennestone among the top cardiac surgery programs in the United States and Canada. The STS Star rating system is a highly respected measure of quality in healthcare, based on objective patient outcomes and implemented medical care processes. The recent analysis covered performance from January 2022 to December 2024. Wellstar Kennestone received the three-star rating for isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), aortic valve replacement (AVR), AVR + CABG, and multiprocedural cardiothoracic surgeries. This is an advancement from their previous two-category three-star rating, solidifying their position as a national leader in the field. [16]
Jun 11, 2025
Wellstar Health System announced on June 11, 2025, that its Digital Care Network is serving as a vital resource for small and rural hospitals. In collaboration with Augusta University's Medical College of Georgia (MCG) Center for Digital Health, this network is enabling residents in rural parts of Georgia to gain faster and more convenient access to essential healthcare resources. The operation of a 'Digital Care Network' inherently involves technology to facilitate remote access and connectivity for healthcare services.

Executive Leadership

Candice L. Saunders, FACHE

President and CEO

Began her career as a critical care nurse, joined Wellstar as president of Kennestone Hospital in May 2007. She was promoted to executive vice president and chief operating officer for Wellstar Health System in 2013. In 2015, she assumed the role of president and CEO. Saunders has built her career around improving community access to vital healthcare needs, implementing new care models and programs, and integrating health delivery processes. She is a champion for delivering world-class healthcare. Under her leadership, Wellstar has been recognized for safety and quality measures, and as a great place to work. She served on the American Hospital Association Board of Trustees and as chair of AHA’s Regional Policy Board for Region 4. She has been recognized by numerous organizations for her leadership and has been named to various prominent lists. Saunders is board certified in healthcare management as a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives and holds master's degrees in business administration and health services administration.

Valeri Akopov, MD

Senior Vice President, Wellstar Medical Group Hospitalist Division

Hank Capps, MD

Executive Vice President, Chief Information & Digital Officer

Mary Chatman, PhD, RN

Executive Vice President, Acute Care Operations

Garry Gross

Executive Director, Leadership Development

Mentioned in the context of leadership development and grounding coaching to a framework that matters to the organization at Wellstar Health System.