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Wellstar Kennestone's New Emergency Department is Now Open

Published on July 20, 2020

Last updated 11:30 PM August 20, 2020

Wellstar Kennestone Hospital's New Emergency Department

At Wellstar, not one patient, symptom or treatment plan is the same—even in an emergency. Now, the new, state-of-the-art emergency department (ED) at Wellstar Kennestone Regional Medical Center delivers quality and compassionate care to every patient, every time.

Located just north of metro Atlanta, this 263,000 sq. ft. medical facility is one of the largest and busiest EDs in the nation and:

It is one of only three Level II trauma centers in metro Atlanta.
Increased its bed-count from 84 to 166 beds (130 universal beds and 36 transition beds).
It is one of four Joint Commission Comprehensive Stroke Centers in Georgia.
It is the only Joint Commission Certified Comprehensive Cardiac Center in the state and seventh in the nation.
Can treat more than 600 patients a day—nearly doubling its previous capacity—with up to 220,000 patient visits per year.
It has 170 parking spaces for patients on the street level, accessible from Cherokee Street.

At Wellstar, we make an impact on the lives of real people every day. The emergency department at Wellstar Kennestone is the next step in providing world-class care for the people and the communities we serve.

Tour Kennestone's Emergency Department

Designed with Care in Mind

From top to bottom, the new Kennestone ED offers emergent care for patients and families, at every age and stage of life.

The design provides benefits for patient care, including rapid access to treatment, an innovative, family-centered functional layout, and new processes and procedures based on best practices to reduce wait times, expedite discharges and enhance patient experiences.

The facility is also built with separate care zones based on medical service, level of care and age—all to better meet our patients’ needs.

Some unique features of the ED include:

Pediatrics

The full-service, 16-room pediatric area includes a sick and injured lobby, pediatric imaging suite, isolation and behavioral health capability. A separate designated ambulance and ambulatory entrances limit children’s exposure to adult trauma patients and infection.

Behavioral Health

On the second floor, a preferred, 12-bed zone provides a safe space for specialized behavior and crisis intervention. This area includes an activity room for patients to socialize, eat meals and perform activities.

Transition Area

Universal treatment rooms provide the capacity to best care for our patients. With 60 percent of hospital admissions coming from the ED, a transitional area for patients awaiting admission helps improve patient care and experiences.

Patients will have admission databases completed, admission orders written, and care continued as they transition to the appropriate inpatient unit.

Trauma/High Acuity

The ED features a separate trauma/high acuity ambulance entrance. The area includes RSve designated trauma rooms (with three rooms having direct access to CT imaging) and seven designated high acuity rooms (with two rooms having patient ceiling lifts).

Compassionate Care

After the loss of a loved one, Wellstar recognizes a family’s need for grieving. Two private viewing areas allow families to spend time with loved ones after they pass away.

A major setback

The same year of his jaw surgery and initial radiation course, David’s recovery was beginning to feel like “smooth sailing.” Just as life started to feel manageable again, he faced an unexpected challenge.

David and his wife, Jill, got devastating news: routine follow-up imaging revealed three new tumors on the other side of his neck and tongue. Dr. Fiyin Sokoya, David’s cancer surgeon, removed lymph nodes from David’s neck, had them biopsied and confirmed that it was an aggressive cancer.

At first, David felt so discouraged that he didn’t want to move forward with treatment.

However, seeing that a group of experts were working together to give him the best, evidence-based treatment path for his unique circumstance gave him confidence to renew his fight against cancer.

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David Butler stands, smiling, with Dr. Fiyin Sokoya, a dual board-certified head and neck cancer specialist and facial plastic surgeon at Wellstar.

PeopleCare

Wellstar PeopleCare | Moving Fast, Working Together: Advanced Head & Neck Cancer Surgery Keeps David Smiling

David Butler's cancer journey took him through a rare jaw reconstruction, radiation and coordinated care from specialists across Wellstar. His care team collaborated to provide what he needed as quickly and efficiently as possible.

A bothersome mouth sore

Lean and energetic, David is quick with a joke and even quicker with a smile. A neatly trimmed mustache frames a grin that lights up his blue eyes, illuminating his trademark optimism and humor. They’re qualities he kept intact throughout cancer treatment and draws on today, when he encourages people who are newly diagnosed with cancer.

It started with a sore on his gum in the fall of 2023. He assumed it would heal on its own. Instead, it got worse. When he could hardly swallow a few months later, his dentist referred him to an oral surgeon for a biopsy. That’s when he got the life-changing news: it was cancer.

“You hear the big C and it scares you to death,” David said. “But there's light at the end of the tunnel. There's always hope.”

What followed was cancer treatment involving surgery, radiation, chemotherapy and support from a whole team of cancer specialists. Along the way, David said he leaned on his faith, the support of his wife, Jill, who he credits as his biggest advocate—and the expertise of Wellstar caregivers.

David Butler grins standing next to his wife Jill, who he credits as his biggest advocate throughout treatment.

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Newsroom

Atlanta City FC Selects Wellstar Health System as Official Healthcare Provider

ATLANTA – Oct. 1, 2026 – Atlanta City FC has selected Wellstar Health System, a nationally-ranked and locally recognized healthcare provider based in Georgia, as the official healthcare provider of the club.

Through this multi-year partnership, Wellstar and Atlanta City FC will ensure the club’s athletes receive a high level of care on and off the pitch, while developing community and philanthropic efforts focused on the health and wellbeing of all women and female athletes.

Partnerships are developed through shared values, common goals and an aligned vision for the future,” said AMB Sports and Entertainment President Tim Zulawski. “As an Atlanta-based healthcare provider with a shared commitment to women’s health and delivering best-in-class care for female athletes, Wellstar is a perfect partner for Atlanta City FC. We’re proud to have Wellstar as our Official Healthcare Provider and look forward to working together to make a positive impact in our community as we continue to lay the foundation of our NWSL club.” For Wellstar, the partnership creates new opportunities to engage the community in their health and wellness.

By combining Wellstar's expertise in women's health, sports medicine, orthopedics, rehabilitation, primary care, and specialty care with the visibility and community reach of Atlanta’s new National Women’s Soccer League franchise, we can engage more people where they live, work, and gather and connect them with the care they need,” said Wellstar President and CEO Ketul J. Patel.  “The team’s decision to choose Wellstar reflects the strength of our physicians, clinicians, team members, and the high-quality care we provide across Georgia every day. “

The partnership also aligns with Wellstar’s focus and expertise in women’s health, providing a full range of services from preventive and reproductive care to maternity, high-risk pregnancy and advanced orthopedic, cardiovascular and cancer services with one of the Southeast’s largest physician networks. Wellstar also is investing in innovative women’s health programs, including remote pregnancy monitoring and personalized breast cancer risk assessment, to ensure more women have access to quality and trusted care.

Women’s health is about recognizing that women have unique healthcare needs at every stage of life,” said Paula Greaves, MD, Chief of Women’s Health for Wellstar Health System. “By partnering with Atlanta City FC, we have an opportunity to bring together our expertise across women’s health, sports medicine and specialty care to support these athletes as whole people, not simply as competitors. This partnership also provides us with opportunities to engage with and support women of every age and background as we rally behind our new hometown NWSL team, on and off the pitch.”

As Atlanta City FC continues building its club and community presence ahead of its inaugural season, Wellstar will play an integral role in supporting the health and wellbeing of players and the broader community through a shared commitment to excellence, community impact and service. Together, the organizations will develop opportunities to expand access to women’s health resources, promote healthy lifestyles and create meaningful community impact.

Learn more about Atlanta City FC

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