Skip Navigation
Book Now! Find care near you Find care near you Find care near you
wellstar-logo
Wellstar Go Back
Go to MyChart

Questions? We can help!

Call (770) 956-STAR (7827)

Monday - Friday, 7 AM - 4:30 PM

Contact Us
For Patients & Families For the Community For Providers About Us Careers
  • Start Your Care

  • Find a Doctor
  • Find a Location
  • Our Services
  • Virtual Visits
  • Planning

  • Accepted Insurance
  • Hospital Payment Planning
  • Financial Assistance
  • Pricing Information
  • Before Your Visit

  • Sign Up for MyChart
  • Visitation Guidelines
  • While You're Here

  • Support & Entertainment
  • Join an Event
  • After Your Visit

  • Pay Your Bill
  • Get Medical Records
  • Contact us
  • COVID-19 Support

  • COVID-19 Information
  • Vaccines
  • Testing Information
  • Foundation Relief
  • Community Care

  • In the Community
  • Health Highlights
  • Community Health Needs Assessment
  • Latest News
  • Center for Health Equity
  • Wellstar Find Help
  • Events & Programs

  • Events Calendar
  • On-Demand Classes
  • Support Groups
  • Give

  • Wellstar Foundation
  • Donate
  • Ways to Give
  • Thank a Caregiver
  • West Georgia
    Health Foundation
  • Volunteer

  • PeopleCare Advisory Council
  • For Adults
  • Care

  • Transfer a Patient
  • Cures Act
  • Refer a Patient
  • Lab Test Directory
  • Request to Conduct Research
  • Connect

  • Physician Relations
  • Request Imaging Services
  • Wellstar Clinical Partners
  • Wellstar Medical Group
  • Mayo Clinic Care Network
  • Medical Staff Services
  • Provider Recruitment
  • Log In

  • EpicCare Link
  • Lawson Connect
  • MyID Password Reset
  • Citrix Access
  • Leadership

  • Authority Board
  • Board Of Trustees
  • Foundation Board
  • Regional Health Boards
  • Executive Leadership
  • Awards, Recognition & Safety

  • Accreditation & Certifications
  • Awards & Recognition
  • Safety First Program
  • Nursing
  • Careers at Wellstar

  • Apply now
  • Upcoming virtual events
  • Why Wellstar?
  • Nursing Careers

  • Nursing (Direct Care)
  • Nursing Leadership
  • Nursing (Non-bedside)
  • Nursing Support
  • Physician, APP & Clinical Careers

  • Advanced Practice Providers (APPs)
  • Allied Health Professionals
  • Homecare & Hospice
  • Physicians
  • Support Team Careers

  • Administrative & Clerical
  • Coding, Compliance & HIM Systems
  • Facility, Environmental & Nutrition/Food Services
  • Information Technology & Systems
  • For Patients & Families
  • For the Community
  • For Providers
  • About Us
  • Careers
  • Search Search Search
  • MyChart MyChart MyChart

Start Your Care

Find a DoctorFind a LocationOur ServicesVirtual Visits

Planning

Accepted InsuranceHospital Payment PlanningFinancial AssistancePricing Information

Before Your Visit

Sign Up for MyChartVisitation Guidelines

While You're Here

Support & EntertainmentJoin an Event

After Your Visit

Pay Your BillGet Medical RecordsContact us

COVID-19 Support

COVID-19 InformationVaccinesTesting InformationFoundation Relief

Community Care

In the CommunityHealth HighlightsCommunity Health Needs AssessmentLatest NewsCenter for Health EquityWellstar Find Help

Events & Programs

Events CalendarOn-Demand ClassesSupport Groups

Give

Wellstar FoundationDonateWays to GiveThank a CaregiverWest Georgia
Health Foundation

Volunteer

PeopleCare Advisory CouncilFor Adults

Care

Transfer a PatientCures ActRefer a PatientLab Test DirectoryRequest to Conduct Research

Connect

Physician RelationsRequest Imaging ServicesWellstar Clinical PartnersWellstar Medical GroupMayo Clinic Care NetworkMedical Staff ServicesProvider Recruitment

Log In

EpicCare LinkLawson ConnectMyID Password ResetCitrix Access
About Wellstar

Our patients are the center of everything we do. We're nationally ranked and locally recognized for our high-quality care, inclusive culture, exceptional doctors and caregivers, and one of the largest and most integrated healthcare systems in Georgia.

About Us

Leadership

Authority BoardBoard Of TrusteesFoundation BoardRegional Health BoardsExecutive Leadership

Awards, Recognition & Safety

Accreditation & CertificationsAwards & RecognitionSafety First ProgramNursing

Careers at Wellstar

Apply nowUpcoming virtual eventsWhy Wellstar?

Nursing Careers

Nursing (Direct Care)Nursing LeadershipNursing (Non-bedside)Nursing Support

Physician, APP & Clinical Careers

Advanced Practice Providers (APPs)Allied Health ProfessionalsHomecare & HospicePhysicians

Support Team Careers

Administrative & ClericalCoding, Compliance & HIM SystemsFacility, Environmental & Nutrition/Food ServicesInformation Technology & Systems
Questions? We can help!

Call (770) 956-STAR (7827)

Monday - Friday, 7 AM - 4:30 PM

Contact Us
Close
  • Schedule With This Provider
  • Schedule At This Location
  • Schedule With This Provider
  • Schedule At This Location
  • Urgent Care
  • Primary Care
  • Virtual Care
  • Emergency Care
Close Close Close Book Now Menu
  • Schedule With This Provider
  • Schedule At This Location
  • Schedule With This Provider
  • Schedule At This Location
  • Urgent Care
  • Primary Care
  • Virtual Care
  • Emergency Care

Introducing

Wellstar Virtual Care

Access Wellstar healthcare providers
wherever you are.

Get started

Warning Warning Our "Book Now" feature should not be used for life threatening conditions such as heart attack, severe injury, poisoning, chest pain, or stroke. If you are experiencing such conditions, STOP and CALL 911 IMMEDIATELY or visit your nearest Emergency Department.

I Understand
  • Home
  • Articles
  • Wellstar Innovation Series Explores Future of Healthcare
Article Category: Newsroom

Wellstar Innovation Series Explores Future of Healthcare

Thought leaders discuss technologies that enhance care delivery, provider communications, patient outcomes

Published on June 23, 2021

Last updated 04:19 PM June 23, 2021

Wellstar Foundation Healthcare Innovation Series logo

The future of healthcare is on a rapid acceleration path as new technologies empower patients and providers with unprecedented information access and care delivery solutions that enhance health and wellness. Wellstar Health System continues to foster collaboration to design the future of healthcare, building on a rich history of innovation and impact in delivering world-class care to millions of people each year. As part of this ongoing focus, the Wellstar Foundation hosted the second Innovation Series event, “Designing the Future of Healthcare: Digital Health Technologies” on June 15, convening experts and thought leaders from Wellstar, Microsoft, Sharecare, and across the nation.

Panel discussion and breakout sessions explore transformative technologies

More than 100 participants attended the virtual roundtable event, which included a panel discussion and breakout sessions focused on leading technologies that have the potential to transform healthcare. The panel was moderated by Julie Teer, senior vice president of Wellstar and president of the Wellstar Foundation. Panelists included:

  • Dr. Clifford Goldsmith, chief medical officer and national director, U.S. Providers, Microsoft Health and Life Sciences
  • Jeff Arnold, founder, chairman and chief executive officer, Sharecare
  • Dr. Hank Capps, executive vice president and chief information & digital officer of Wellstar

Screenshot of panelists speaking during virtual event

“There has never been a time in healthcare when getting the technology strategy right was more imperative than now,” Dr. Goldsmith said. “There is a massive transformation underway in healthcare to significantly increase clinician productivity and enable teamwork across the care continuum, which will be a huge boost to patient satisfaction. Thank you to Wellstar for hosting this important conversation to fuel innovation.”

Digital health is transforming healthcare through integrating innovation and advanced technology into patient care, improving quality of care and expanding access. In addition to the panel, three breakout sessions facilitated conversation about leading-edge, advanced technologies, including:

  • Machine learning and artificial intelligence to help provide augmented support for healthcare professionals across a wide range of specialties and operations
  • Advanced sensors to enhance diagnostics that simplify the patient experience and foster patient-provider communication and collaboration
  • Merged Reality (Augmented Reality/Virtual Reality) to enhance business insight, training, and patient partnership

Physician leaders from Wellstar Medical Group provided expert insights in the breakout discussions on the potential applications and impacts of these technologies on the future of healthcare. Physician experts included:

  • Dr. Rishi Gupta, vascular neurologist
  • Dr. Arthur Reitman, interventional cardiologist
  • Dr. Barry Mangel, interventional cardiologist

“The future of healthcare is not a 2025 vision – it is a 2021 reality,” said Sharecare’s Arnold. “Georgia continues to strengthen its position as a global center for public health, information technology, and digital media; and Wellstar is at the center with their focus on partnerships and healthcare innovation. Discussions such as the Wellstar Innovation Series help create momentum around viable solutions that will address gaps in care and a make a meaningful difference in the health and well-being of communities throughout the Peach State and beyond.”

The event followed Wellstar’s March 3, 2021 announcement that it will become the country’s first Sharecare-enabled health system, and the May 18, 2021 launch of Catalyst by WellstarTM, the first-of-its-kind global digital health and innovation center created and operated within a health system. Catalyst by Wellstar is designed to harness, accelerate, optimize, and scale people-centric solutions that:

  • Disrupt how Wellstar delivers care to create better patient and provider experiences
  • Maximize quality and safety to improve outcomes while reducing the total cost of care
  • Enhance health and well-being for people through access, engagement, and empowerment
  • Optimize enterprise performance excellence, efficiencies, and productivity
  • Impact communities and the world by designing the future of healthcare

To further fuel healthcare transformation, Wellstar also announced a partnership with Engage, a collaborative innovation and corporate venture platform. Wellstar is the only healthcare company to partner with Engage, alongside other partners Chick-fil-A, Cox Enterprises, Delta Air Lines, Georgia-Pacific, Georgia Power Foundation, Georgia Tech, Goldman Sachs, The Home Depot, Inspire Brands, Intercontinental Exchange, Invesco, Invest Georgia, Tech Square Ventures, and UPS.

Innovation Series convenes thought leaders and changemakers

The Wellstar Foundation’s Innovation Series convenes thought leaders, community partners, and industry experts in a series of roundtable discussions to explore how to transform healthcare to better serve Georgians. The conversations aim to facilitate collaboration that will lead to meaningful action and a pathway to transforming healthcare in Georgia. The series covers topics of health equity, digital health technologies, behavioral health and wellness, women’s health and pediatrics, and workforce planning.

Tags

Rishi Gupta Arthur Brian Reitman Barry David Mangel
Media Room Wellstar Foundation
Read related articles
Wellstar Paulding Medical Center Tower Expansion Groundbreaking 2025

Newsroom

Wellstar Paulding Medical Center Breaks Ground on $300 Million Expansion

HIRAM, Ga. — With shovels in hand and plans in motion, leaders of Wellstar Paulding Medical Center officially broke ground Thursday, September 4, on a $300 million expansion project that will double the hospital’s inpatient capacity and bring new resources to one of Georgia’s fastest-growing regions.

The hospital, which currently operates 112 beds and a busy emergency department with 40 adult and pediatric bays, is nearing full capacity. As Paulding County continues to grow, so does the need for accessible, high-quality healthcare. Wellstar’s expansion aims to meet that demand head-on.

“This is a big moment for Paulding County,” said Wellstar Paulding President Todd Kennedy. “We’re responding to the needs of a growing community and laying the foundation for a healthier future.”

The new hospital tower will be constructed in two phases, with the first phase—opening in November 2027—adding 56 beds, expanding heart and vascular services, and increasing imaging testing capacity. An additional 56 beds will be added by 2029 as part of the second phase.

“We’re building more than just a new tower,” said Robert S. Owens, chair of the Wellstar Paulding Tower Campaign Cabinet and vice chair of the Wellstar Paulding Regional Health Board. “We’re building the future of healthcare in Paulding County.” 

A $20 million parking deck, featuring more than 460 new spaces, is also set to open this November, improving access for patients and visitors.

In recent years, Wellstar has expanded its footprint across Paulding County, adding 69 exam rooms at seven practices across the county to help ease pressure on the hospital and provide more convenient care. Locations in Hiram and Dallas now offer services ranging from primary care and pediatrics to behavioral health and specialty care. Another 46 exam rooms are planned over the next three years.

Wellstar Paulding’s Emergency Department remains one of the busiest in the region, rarely diverting patients despite high volumes. To help manage demand during construction, the hospital has added EMS drop-off spaces, opened a new waiting area for people with less urgent medical needs and created a discharge lounge to free up beds more quickly.

“The newest expansion at Wellstar Paulding is part of our system strategy to expand care across our markets,” said Mary Chatman, executive vice president of acute care operations at Wellstar Health System. “Not only will this provide additional capacity for our Paulding campus, but it will also support our efforts to manage capacity across our footprint.”

Wellstar Paulding has received numerous awards for quality and safety, including the Malcolm Baldridge National Quality Award, Magnet Nursing Facility designation, Leapfrog “A” rating and a CMS 4-star rating for quality.

With approximately 1,900 employees, Wellstar Paulding is also one of the county’s largest employers, playing a key role in both healthcare and the local economy.

Keep reading
Celebrating ANCC Magnet Recognition for Nursing Excellence by Wellstar Kennestone Regional Medical Center

Newsroom

Wellstar Kennestone Achieves ANCC Magnet Recognition® for Nursing Excellence

Wellstar Kennestone Regional Medical Center has achieved Magnet recognition, the highest national honor for nursing excellence. The honor reflects the nursing staff’s professionalism, teamwork and superiority in patient care. The American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Magnet Recognition Program® distinguishes organizations that meet rigorous standards for nursing excellence.

With this credential, Wellstar Kennestone joins the global community of Magnet-recognized organizations. Only a small and select group of U.S. healthcare organizations has achieved Magnet recognition due to the complex requirements and meticulous evaluation process, with only 14 in Georgia. This prestigious honor further underscores Wellstar Kennestone’s commitment to world-class, compassionate, and personalized care.

“This achievement reflects the exceptional skill, dedication, and heart of our nursing team and how they partner to care for our patients, families and each other,” said Candice L. Saunders, president and CEO of Wellstar Health System. “It serves as a vital benchmark within our community, affirming the exceptional quality of patient care we provide.”

Magnet recognition is the gold standard for nursing excellence and is a factor when the public judges healthcare organizations. U.S. News & World Report’s annual showcase of “America’s Best Hospitals” includes Magnet recognition in its ranking criteria for quality of inpatient care.

Research demonstrates that Magnet recognition provides specific benefits to health care organizations and their communities, such as:

  • Higher patient satisfaction with nurse communication, availability of help and receipt of discharge information.
  • Lower risk of 30-day mortality and lower failure to rescue rates.
  • Higher job satisfaction among nurses.
  • Lower nurse reports of intentions to leave their positions.

“At Wellstar Kennestone, we believe world-class healthcare should be accessible right where people live,” said Hospital President Lorrie Liang. “When our neighbors, friends and family need exceptional care, they don’t have to travel far—it’s right here in Marietta. That belief is now affirmed in a powerful way.”

“We are profoundly honored to have achieved Magnet recognition—an esteemed distinction that represents the pinnacle of nursing excellence,” said Marianne Hatfield, vice president and chief nursing officer at Wellstar Kennestone. “We celebrate this accomplishment and remain committed to providing compassionate care to every patient, every time. It is a powerful reminder of what’s possible when we lead with purpose. It also underscores Wellstar Kennestone’s steadfast commitment to fostering a culture of excellence and innovation.”

The Magnet Model provides a framework for nursing practice, research, and measurement of outcomes. Through this framework, ANCC evaluates applicants across a number of components and dimensions to gauge an organization’s nursing excellence. The foundation of this model comprises various elements deemed essential to delivering superior patient care. These include the quality of nursing leadership and coordination and collaboration across specialties, as well as processes for measuring and improving the quality and delivery of care.

“Magnet recognition validates our team's dedication to evidence-based practices, which drive superior patient outcomes, enhances both patient and staff satisfaction, and contributes to more efficient and compassionate care,” said Mary Chatman, executive vice president of acute care operations for Wellstar Health System. “This achievement is a testament to the relentless pursuit of excellence that defines our organization and inspires us to continue raising the standard of care for those we serve.”

ABOUT ANCC’S MAGNET RECOGNITION PROGRAM The Magnet Recognition Program—administered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center, the largest and most prominent nurses credentialing organization in the world—identifies health care organizations that provide the very best in nursing care and professionalism in nursing practice. The Magnet Recognition Program is the highest national honor for nursing excellence and provides consumers with the ultimate benchmark for measuring quality of care. For more information about the Magnet Recognition Program and current statistics, visit www.nursingworld.org/magnet.


Celebrating ANCC Magnet Recognition for Nursing Excellence by Wellstar Kennestone Regional Medical Center
Keep reading
A healthcare provider consults with her patient

Highlights

Personalized Breast Care Close to Home at Wellstar North Fulton

By Wellstar Breast Surgeon Dr. Laura Pearson

I have never met a woman who enjoyed getting mammograms, including myself. They can be uncomfortable, awkward and anxiety-provoking—especially if you have had scares in the past or are at high risk for getting breast cancer.

There are so many additional resources for risk reduction and surveillance available that go hand-in-hand with mammograms. At Wellstar, reducing your risk and screening for cancer starts with a physical from your primary care doctor.

If you are at average risk of developing breast cancer, you should begin annual screening mammograms at age 40. If you have a family history or other risk factors, your doctor may recommend earlier or more frequent screening. If something is detected on a mammogram, the Wellstar Comprehensive Breast Health Program has nurse navigators who will help arrange diagnostic imaging, biopsy procedures and referrals to breast specialists. If you are diagnosed with cancer, the compassionate and oncology-trained nurse navigators with Wellstar Cancer Care walk patients through diagnosis, evaluation, treatment and beyond.

If you’re diagnosed with breast cancer, your treatment and care will transition from our Comprehensive Breast Health Program to the Wellstar Cancer Care team. In Wellstar STAT Clinics, which stands for Specialty Teams and Treatment, we put you at the center of your care plan. In our STAT Clinic for Breast Cancer, the care team, including breast oncology nurse navigators, surgeons, medical and radiation oncologists, nutritionists and genetic counselors, will meet with you and your support system on the same day to formulate a treatment plan personalized to your specific cancer, as well as your personal and cultural needs. Patients are able to ask questions, make decisions and start treatment sooner, improving outcomes.

Many times, surgical intervention can be done as an outpatient procedure. We can also offer some people intraoperative radiation therapy, or IORT—the option of doing their radiation treatment in the operating room at the same time as their lumpectomy, meaning they are able to avoid four to six weeks of radiation treatments. Any other interventions, such as chemotherapy or radiation, including our CyberKnife for treatments like targeted partial breast radiation therapy, are found in the cancer center on Wellstar North Fulton’s medical campus. We have physical therapists, social workers and palliative care specialists who are there for you if the need arises.

Your Wellstar care team can also help you reduce your risk of developing breast cancer. Being overweight or obese or being a smoker can increase your risk. Patients at Wellstar have access to our Center for Best Health to assist in weight management. We also have smoking cessation programs and dietitians waiting to help you make healthier choices that can positively impact your health.

Wellstar provides more than healthcare, PeopleCare—working relentlessly to exceed national standards and our patients’ expectations while remembering the humanity of every patient. We are here for all the situations and stages of our patients’ lives by offering the tools and resources to be healthy and thrive. Wellstar clinicians live in the communities we serve. We must get physicals, mammograms and biopsies. We need help being our healthiest selves. We get sick and have family members who need compassionate care. PeopleCare means offering our patients world-class healthcare in the communities where they live and work.

Your care team can put your mammogram order in Wellstar MyChart to book online, or you can schedule by calling (678) 581-5900.

Visit wellstar.org/northfultoncancercare to learn more about cancer care at Wellstar North Fulton.

Keep reading
Back to Top
Branding illustration
Wellstar Logo
More than healthcare. PeopleCare.
Branding illustration
For Job Seekers & Team
Careers Diversity Equity Inclusion and Belonging Onboarding
For Students
Students Portal
Graduate Medical Education
Medical Residency Pharmacy Residency
For Business
Corporate Purchasing
For the Media
Media Room Community Health Needs Assessment
Help
Contact Us Pay Your Bill Policy & Privacy Information Hospital Transparency Information Price Transparency
For Job Seekers & Team
Careers Diversity Equity Inclusion and Belonging Onboarding
For Students
Students Portal

Graduate Medical Education
Medical Residency Pharmacy Residency
For Business
Corporate Purchasing
For the Media
Media Room Community Health Needs Assessment
Help
Contact Us Pay Your Bill Policy & Privacy Information Hospital Transparency Information Price Transparency

Copyright © 2025 Wellstar Health System. All Rights Reserved.

Wellstar does not discriminate on, exclude people or treat them differently on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, gender identity or expression or any other type of discrimination prohibited by law.

Cookie Preferences

We use cookies for booking and general analytics. Learn more about or internet privacy policy.