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Article Category: Highlights

Better Together: Your Child. Our Expert Care.

Published on September 11, 2025

Last updated 02:52 PM September 11, 2025

Child flexing arms and posing as a superhero.

Some things are just better together: Peanut butter and jelly. Popsicles and summer days. Stethoscopes and superheroes. When it comes to your child’s health, there’s no better combo than your love—and our expert pediatric care. That’s why Wellstar Children’s of Georgia is here to partner with your family.

Playfully styled Wellstar Children's Healthcare of Georgia logo, which incorporates a rainbow and has the feel of a child's illustration.

Our name and logo may have changed, but the mission to care for children, teens and your family remains the same. 

“Our new name represents a powerful collaboration, bringing together more pediatric specialists in Georgia to create a comprehensive system of care,” said Wellstar Children’s Hospital of Georgia Pediatrician-in-Chief Dr. Valera Hudson.

Where kids’ healthcare is “better together”

At Wellstar Children’s of Georgia, a child’s health is strengthened by a partnership between parents and pediatric specialists. Our physicians and advanced practice providers listen and get to know each child from the moment they’re born into young adulthood, collaborating with parents to deliver tailored care.

“We never forget that you know your child best—from their unique needs to what makes them tick,” said Wellstar Chief Pediatrics Officer Dr. Carrie Stinson. “We trust your instincts, and we’re here to support you as you help your child grow into a healthy, well-prepared and incredible human being.”

A checkup for every child, from toddlers to teens

Every kid should have a well-child exam each year. “When you have babies and toddlers, it’s routine—you’re scheduling these frequently,” said Dr. Stinson. “But when kids get older and busier, these visits may fall off your radar.” Staying on top of these vital checkups helps keep focus on your child or teen’s well-being, including their physical health and development as well as their emotional, social and behavioral health.

Navigating life’s most challenging moments

 

During visits to Wellstar Children’s of Georgia, pediatricians, pediatric specialists, nurses and other dedicated team members use the latest technology and innovative therapies to treat common illnesses and complex conditions. In our Pediatric Emergency Departments and imaging centers, specially trained Child Life Specialists aid children and their families during challenging healthcare moments—helping them understand and cope with unfamiliar or scary situations.

A long legacy of care

 

Our new name builds on a rich history of pediatric excellence throughout Georgia. For decades, we’ve worked hard to make sure our communities have access to the pediatric care they need—from preventive care to emergency care and specialty care, including cardiologists, neurologists, urologists, ENTs, orthopedics, therapists and more. 

Care in Augusta 

Wellstar Children's Hospital of Georgia in Augusta has been a leader in the state for nearly 30 years. We’re home to: 

  • Pediatric primary care and specialty care
  • A 24/7 Pediatric Emergency Department
  • A dedicated Level II Trauma Center
  • A Level IV Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)
  • The only Level I Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) in the region
  • A Level IV Epilepsy Center
  • One of two Pediatric Cystic Fibrosis Centers in the state
  • Clinical trials for a variety of childhood conditions 
  • Summer camps and support programs for children with specific health conditions

Care in Metro Atlanta
 

Our communities in the Atlanta area have access to:

  • Pediatric primary care and specialty care
  • Pediatric Emergency Departments at Wellstar Cobb, Wellstar Douglas, Wellstar Kennestone and Wellstar Paulding Medical Centers 
  • An Inpatient Pediatric Unit at Wellstar Kennestone in Marietta 
  • Level III NICUs at Wellstar Kennestone and Wellstar Cobb
  • Level II NICUs at Wellstar Douglas and Wellstar North Fulton Medical Centers
  • Wellstar Children’s of Georgia Pediatric Center in Kennesaw offering a range of high-quality, child-centered services

Care in West Georgia

In West Georgia and central West Georgia, families can access:

  • Pediatric primary care in LaGrange
  • Level II NICUs at Wellstar Spalding Medical Center in Griffin and Wellstar West Georgia Medical Center in LaGrange

Our growth chart: how we’re keeping up with your kids

As you measure your child’s growth, we’re growing too! We continue to invest in our teams and facilities across Georgia so your child can have a healthy future.

In Metro Atlanta, Wellstar continues to grow care for Cobb County’s youngest residents. A new tower at Wellstar Kennestone, slated to open spring 2026, will feature an expanded NICU with more beds to meet the needs of our families.

In Augusta, Wellstar Children's Hospital of Georgia has unveiled a welcoming and fresh child-friendly lobby. Families visiting the campus will soon benefit from the addition of the Kisner Foundation and Friends Center for Pediatric Behavioral Health and Wellness. This new space brings neurology and psychology services together under one roof, providing a dedicated place for families to find help for their children's behavioral health needs.

"We’re passionate about caring for kids,” said Dr. Hudson. “Our dream is to get beyond just treating and intervening when there’s a crisis—we aim to help families thrive.”

Whether preventing illness or treating chronic conditions, Wellstar Children’s of Georgia is committed to helping children heal so they can do more of what they love.

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Carrie Ann Nalisnick Stinson Valera Lucile Hudson Emergency Care
KidCare Primary Care
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Elementary school aged girl bites fingernails and furrows her eyebrow. Parents and healthcare providers can help kids recognize and cope with feelings, stress, and anxiety.

Highlights

5 Expert-Backed Tips to Help Your Child Cope with Stress

Children and teens face challenges that can bring excitement, stress and sometimes anxiety. A new school year, changing friendships and academic pressures can feel overwhelming.

Some stress is a normal part of growing up. In fact, it helps kids develop resilience and prepare for new experiences. When worry begins affecting a child's ability to learn, sleep, socialize or enjoy activities, they may need additional support.

The good news is that parents can play an important role in helping kids recognize their feelings and build healthy coping skills.

1. Listen & validate feelings

When children express fears or worries, parents often want to make them feel better. While encouragement is good, listening first and validating can help children feel understood.

Try asking open-ended questions about what's causing stress and acknowledge their feelings without judgment. A simple response such as, “I can see why that would make you nervous,” can go a long way toward helping your child feel supported.

Parents can also talk through upcoming situations and set expectations with their child. When it's time to start something new, knowing what to expect can reduce uncertainty. Having these conversations can also reveal whether a child is experiencing typical stress or something more persistent.

2. Recognize the signs of anxiety

Some children talk openly about feelings. For others, it shows up differently.

“Anxiety doesn't always look like worry," said Dr. Shital Gaitonde, Wellstar Children’s of Georgia clinical child and adolescent psychologist. "Sometimes it shows up physically through headaches or stomachaches.”

She said other children may have trouble sleeping or seem more emotional than usual: “You may also notice more worrying, clinginess or difficulty separating from parents.”

Signs of anxiety in children include:

  • Worrying
  • Frequent headaches or stomachaches
  • Changes in appetite
  • Difficulty sleeping
  • Irritability or emotional outbursts
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Avoiding school or activities
  • Worsening school performance
  • Repeatedly seeking reassurance
  • Clinginess to parents

“It's normal to have stress; it's not normal to have anxiety,” said  Wellstar Children’s of Georgia Pediatrician Dr.  Andrew Doyle. "Understandably you get nervous with new situations that make you uncomfortable, but you're still able to do it and have fun. Significant anxiety starts to interfere with a child’s or teen's ability to do what they need to do—homework, school, social situations. That's when it's helpful to get it checked out.”

3. Create routines that build confidence

Children often feel more secure when they know what to expect. Consistent routines can be especially important during transitions.
“One of the best things parents can do is start talking about school before the first day," Dr. Gaitonde said. “A little reassurance now can help make the transition back to school easier.”

Parents can support children by:

  • Establishing consistent bedtimes and wake-up times
  • Talking through what the day will bring
  • Visiting a new environment when possible
  • Checking in regularly about friendships and academics
  • Building downtime into busy schedules
  • Encouraging independence in age-appropriate ways

Avoiding stressful situations may provide temporary relief, but it can make anxiety stronger over time.

Dr. Kayla Fitch, a behavioral health specialist works alongside pediatricians at Wellstar Children's of Georgia pediatricians.

“One of the things I'm the most passionate about is early anxiety treatment for kids. We can help kids when they're 4, 5, 6 years old,” she said. “I teach parents basic concepts around how to expose their children to anxiety-producing situations to decrease their anxiety.”

With guidance and support, children can learn to face challenging situations gradually, developing confidence and resilience over time.

Keep reading
Child holding basketball

Highlights

Help Your Student Athlete Kick Off the Season Strong

Wellstar is here to help young athletes feel and perform their best. From sports physicals to start the season strong to treating injuries, our care teams specialize in providing expert, kid-centered care for your child.

Kick off the season with a sports physical

Schedule your child’s sports physical before game day arrives. Their care team will check their heart, lungs and overall health so they can feel their best on and off the field.

“Sports physicals are important to screen for any underlying conditions that might put your child at increased risk versus some of their peers,” said Dr. Eric Berg, Wellstar Children’s of Georgia medical director of pediatric surgical services. “It's one of the easiest ways to catch potential issues before kids hit the field. A little preparation now can help prevent injuries later.”

Schedule a sports physical with your child’s pediatrician. You can also visit Wellstar Urgent Care, which takes walk-ins and offers online scheduling.

Take time for rest and hydration

For optimal performance in sports, young athletes need to fuel their bodies—and take breaks when needed.It’s recommended that student athletes consume up to 20 ounces of fluid one hour before an activity and 5 ounces every 15 minutes during the activity.

“Proper nutrition and hydration are critical for all students, but particularly for athletes who are more active and burning more calories,” said Dr. Lindsay Stephenson, Wellstar Children’s of Georgia pediatric orthopedic surgeon. “I recommend using the nutritional guide released by the Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America. This information makes it easier for students and their parents to understand the nutritional needs of the body to perform in the classroom and during competition.”

Read the nutritional guidelines.

Children also need to incorporate rest into their routine so they don’t overtrain. Kids often enjoy playing with family and friends, and they may not realize they need to take a break, according to Dr. Natalie Witte, Wellstar Children’s of Georgia sports medicine physician.

“They may be more sore than they are normally and not recovering,” Dr. Witte said. “If they’re not hungry after training, they might be so depleted that they’re nauseous or dizzy.”

If your child isn’t feeling well, your family’s pediatrician or sports medicine specialist can evaluate them for injury or illness so they can get back to their favorite activities sooner.

Keep reading
Smiling child with backpack and notebooks

Highlights

Start the School Year Right: Your Back-to-School Check List

As you prepare for the new school year, give your child a positive start by completing your own homework assignment—checking in on their health.

Wellstar Children’s of Georgia is home base for expert kid care, helping the whole family feel their best with wellness exams, sports physicals and immunizations—plus pediatric emergency departments, urgent care centers and specialty services.  

Back-to-school check list

Teaching your child healthy habits now will help them feel their best throughout the school year and beyond. 

Check in for a check-up.

Preventative check-ups and screenings help kids stay ahead of health issues. During an annual wellness visit, our pediatricians will ensure your child is up to date on their vaccinations and talk to you about which immunizations are recommended to prevent disease. They will also help you navigate school health requirements.

“We believe in treating the whole child. What I mean by that is, of course, their physical health is very important, but we also feel that their emotional health is very important,” said Wellstar Children’s of Georgia Pediatrician Dr. Brandi Lewis. “Our goal is for all our patients to be resilient, happy and healthy.”

Eat healthy.

Teach children about good nutrition by encouraging them to eat plenty of fruits and vegetables and limiting sugary drinks and snacks. When kids head back to school, keep them on the right track with healthy after-school snacks.

Stay hydrated and keep cool.

Make sure kids drink plenty of water to help their bodies regulate temperature. Summer athletes should drink up to 20 ounces before practice and 5 ounces every 15 minutes during the activity. On especially hot days, it’s also important to remind your children about moderation: They should take frequent breaks in shady areas, and make sure they don’t push themselves too hard. 

“Kids can become dehydrated faster than adults,” said Dr. Eric Berg, Wellstar Children’s of Georgia medical director of pediatric surgical services. “If they’re already thirsty, they may already be mildly dehydrated.”

Move your body.

Children should have around 30 to 60 minutes of moderate activity every day. Staying active can be a fun family activity—ride bikes, play tag or go for a walk.

Get sports-ready.

Schedule your child’s sports physical before game day arrives. Their care team will check their heart, lungs and overall health so they can feel their best on and off the field.

“Sports physicals are important to screen for any underlying conditions that might put your child at increased risk versus some of their peers,” Dr. Berg said.

Catch some z’s.

Kids 3 to 5 years old should get about 10 to 13 hours of sleep a day. Children 6 to 12 years old should get nine to 12 hours, and teens need about 8 to 10 hours.

Practice good hygiene.

Show children how to wash their hands properly and remind them to do it frequently. Do not send your children to school if they are sick.

Wear backpacks properly.

Kids' backpacks should not weigh more than 10 to 15% of their body weight. For example, if your child weighs 60 pounds, their backpack should be under 6 to 9 pounds.

“A poorly fitted or overloaded backpack can place extra strain on a growing child's back, neck and shoulders,” said Wellstar Children’s of Georgia Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeon Dr. Albert Pendleton. “Watch for signs like shoulder pain, red strap marks or leaning forward while walking.”

Understand your emotions.

Emotional well-being is as important as physical health, and the new school year comes with a lot of change for kids. Help your child understand their feelings and how to cope by listening and validating their thoughts, talking through expectations, visiting their school and new classrooms, and looking ahead to what the year could be like.

With more than 80 pediatric locations across Georgia, Wellstar Children’s of Georgia is always here to support families through the big leaps, growing pains and everything in between. Find a pediatrician near you and book your child’s back-to-school exam so they can start the year strong.

Keep reading
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