Wellstar Innovation Series Explores Future of Healthcare

Augusta, Ga. (April 21, 2026) – Wellstar Health System announced today the launch of a new Rural Community Consortium, a network of healthcare providers, public health organizations and community service groups coordinating maternal care and resources across nine rural Georgia counties.

Anchored by Wellstar MCG Health Medical Center’s Rural Healthcare Access Partnership, an initiative funded by a $1.2 million grant from the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration, the Rural Community Consortium supports women and families in Jefferson, Burke, Emanuel, Washington, Glascock, Warren, McDuffie, Jenkins and Johnson counties—areas defined as maternity care deserts.

The Rural Healthcare Access Partnership brings together local healthcare providers, community organizations and businesses to provide free support and care for pregnant women and families in rural communities. Services include pregnancy and postnatal support, childbirth and parenting education, breastfeeding guidance and care coordination. Through the Rural Community Consortium, organizations and individuals collaborate to share resources, refer eligible participants and strengthen community-based care.

"We're facing a maternal health crisis in the Southeast, where too many mothers don’t receive the prenatal care they need, and they are dying from preventable complications. We can do better. I've always believed in the power of partnerships, and what we're building here in Georgia can transform outcomes across the entire region," said Ketul J. Patel, president and CEO of Wellstar Health System.

In Georgia, 15.8% of women live more than 30 minutes from the nearest hospital with maternity services, compared with 9.7% nationwide. Limited access to care can increase the risk of pregnancy complications and infant mortality, particularly in rural communities. Georgia also faces significant disparities in maternal health outcomes. More than half (56%) of maternal deaths in the state occur among Black mothers, who represent about one-third of Georgia’s population.

“While many of these women will likely deliver their child at Wellstar MCG Health, traveling more than 30 minutes to regular—sometimes weekly—appointments prior to childbirth is not always feasible. For some patients, it becomes a choice between getting vital prenatal care and putting food on the table because of the time off required,” said Dr. Chadburn Ray, an obstetrician/gynecologist at Wellstar MCG Health. “Providing access to these vital resources closer to home means mothers don’t have to make these difficult decisions. Getting appropriate prenatal care can significantly reduce the risk of infant and maternal mortality.”

Through the Rural Community Consortium, Wellstar clinicians collaborate with Augusta University’s Medical College of Georgia and community-based organizations to improve access to care coordination, clinical services and support programs for expectant and new mothers. The program also increases access to midwives and doulas, who provide clinical and non-clinical support throughout pregnancy and during the first year after childbirth. Consortium partners help families access housing assistance, food programs, workforce development resources and essential baby supplies.

Each member of the Rural Community Consortium plays a critical role in providing coordinated care and reducing maternal mortality. Wellstar also administers a Healthy Start program in Spalding, Butts and Troup counties. That program has served more than 1,300 mothers, fathers and infants since it began in 2024. Over 80% of infants from participating families received well-child visits on schedule, while 70% of mothers completed recommended preventive health visits—helping reduce risks for both mothers and babies.

“The Healthy Start program in West Georgia has touched the lives of more than 1,000 residents and provided support through doulas and resource referrals,” said Tiffany Bryant, Rural Healthcare Access Partnership program interim director. “There were many great saves and catches that brought people back into maternity care that could otherwise have resulted in worse health outcomes.”

The Rural Healthcare Access Partnership initiative builds on Wellstar’s broader efforts to address the maternal healthcare crisis in Georgia. In 2024, the health system received a HRSA grant to expand maternal health services and wraparound support for families in Butts, Spalding and Troup counties.

Communities across Cobb County and Metro Atlanta are growing quickly—and so is the need for world-class healthcare.

The new Yellow Tower at Wellstar Kennestone Regional Medical Center is helping meet that need. The nine-story, 235-bed patient tower expands hospital capacity, strengthens specialty care and enhances the patient experience through state-of-the-art technology and spaces that support healing.

Opening to patients April 15, 2026, the tower represents a $400 million investment in the future of healthcare for the region—helping ensure families across Georgia can access expert care when and where they need it.

Expanding capacity and advancing care

The approximately 300,000-square-foot tower increases acute care capacity and strengthens key service lines, including cardiology, neurology, oncology and surgery. Dedicated units for cardiac critical care, surgical care, neurological care and medical oncology allow care teams to deliver advanced treatment in environments built for each specialty.

The new tower also introduces a next-generation neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and enhanced neonatal services, expanding care for our smallest patients. A dedicated Women’s & Children’s entrance improves access and reinforces family-centered care.

"This tower is more than a new building—it reflects our commitment to providing extraordinary care for people across the Southeast,” said Ketul J. Patel, Wellstar president and CEO. “Wellstar Kennestone has become a destination hospital, with a Level I Trauma Center and nationally recognized specialty programs, including one of the best heart programs in the country. This investment allows us to serve more patients, support families during life’s most important moments, and give our teams the space and tools they need to deliver safe, high-quality care to every person, every time. When someone needs advanced care, they can find it at Wellstar.”

Technology that supports care

Every element of the Yellow Tower was designed with patients, families and care teams in mind.

All adult patient rooms are private, offering greater comfort and functionality. Natural light, sound-reducing features and adjustable lighting and privacy controls create a calm, quiet setting. Durable antimicrobial materials support infection prevention and help maintain a clean, safe space.

Throughout the new tower, smart-room technology keeps patients and care teams connected. Interactive digital whiteboards in each patient room display real-time care information, including medications, care team details and daily treatment plans.

Smart technology also supports patient safety. Remote monitoring allows trained team members to observe patients who may be at risk of falls or other complications. Virtual nursing helps coordinate admissions, discharges and documentation so bedside nurses can focus on direct patient care.

Other advanced capabilities—including AI-assisted monitoring and virtual rounding—enhance the care experience by helping identify risks earlier, improving decision-making and extending access to expert providers.

These advancements are especially impactful in high-acuity areas like neurology and neurosurgery.

“Expanding our neuro beds allows us to bring advanced technology and specialized brain and spine care directly to more patients,” said Frances Van Beek, assistant vice president of neuroscience and trauma services at Wellstar. “Because many of these services aren’t widely available, this growth helps ensure patients across Georgia can access the expert care they need.”

Specialized care for newborns and families

The Yellow Tower includes a 49-bed next-generation NICU designed to care for infants who are premature or critically ill while supporting families during a challenging time.

The new unit emphasizes natural light, quiet healing spaces and advanced monitoring technology that promotes healthy growth and development.

A centralized Milk Lab prepares fortified human milk, donor milk and prescribed formulas to meet the unique nutritional needs of infants in the NICU. The unit also includes six couplet care rooms, allowing mothers and babies receiving specialized care to remain together—encouraging bonding during treatment.

This focus on family-centered care reflects Wellstar’s commitment to supporting people at every stage of life—ensuring families have access to compassionate, specialized care when they need it most.

Hospitality-inspired dining experience

Under the patient tower, a new 22,000-square-foot kitchen powers a hospital-wide in-room dining service that blends restaurant-quality meals with clinical nutrition.

Patients can order meals when they’re ready to eat during service hours, with breakfast favorites available throughout the day. This model gives people greater choice and flexibility during their stay.

“We designed this program to give patients more control over their dining experience—so they can order what they want, when they want it,” said Ben Behimer, director of nutrition and food services at Wellstar Kennestone. “Our goal is to create a more personalized, restaurant-style experience that reflects the same level of quality and care patients expect across our hospital.”

Visitors and team members can also enjoy retail dining, including Mountainside Bistro—which features seven food concepts—and Wellbean Coffee, along with expanded indoor and outdoor seating.

The new kitchen and dining areas are over 50% larger than the previous space and feature dual production lines, allowing teams to prepare fresh meals efficiently for everyone they serve.

Rapid access when minutes matter

Wellstar Kennestone plays a critical role in caring for patients with serious injuries and complex conditions across Georgia. The hospital is verified as a Level I Trauma Center by the American College of Surgeons and designated by the Georgia Department of Public Health—the highest level of trauma care available.

The new tower strengthens that capability. Expanded helipads and integrated flight paths connect the hospital directly with the Wellstar AirCare network, helping ensure patients can reach advanced care quickly.

Dual heavy-lift helipads support high-volume air medical operations, while overlook spaces within the tower provide views of the surrounding campus.

Wellstar AirCare operates a 24/7 air ambulance service with helicopters based in Augusta and south of Metro Atlanta. Care teams provide lifesaving care during transport, including whole blood transfusions for severe blood loss and support for patients requiring extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO).

Built for the future of care

The Yellow Tower was designed to adapt to evolving healthcare needs. Entire floors can be converted to negative pressure environments, allowing the hospital to respond quickly during infectious disease outbreaks or other public health emergencies.

The new tower also enhances Wellstar Kennestone’s ability to provide exceptional care every day—from welcoming babies to supporting people through cancer treatment and recovery. It ensures the hospital can continue caring for the community with the level of excellence people expect while preparing for what’s ahead.

Learn more at wellstar.org/kennestone.

The Hardy family, founders of Hardy Family Automotive, announced a $1 million donation to support the expansion of Wellstar Paulding Medical Center and its new Graduate Medical Education (GME) residency program.

Guided by the message, “We love you and we need you,” the Hardy family has served Paulding County since 1978. That same spirit—neighbors caring for neighbors—is at the heart of care at Wellstar Paulding. The generous donation from the Hardy family will help Wellstar expand access to care close by for people in Paulding County.

“We are incredibly grateful to have a state-of-the-art hospital serving our friends and family right here in the heart of our community,” said Rene Hardy Gordon, dealer principal of Hardy Family Automotive. “The pride that our community feels for Wellstar Paulding is something we deeply share.”

As one of the fastest-growing counties in Georgia, Paulding County continues to experience rising demand for healthcare services driven by rapid growth, an aging population and increasing patient acuity. However, the pipeline of healthcare workers nationwide is not growing at the same pace. This investment in the health and well-being of Paulding County will help ensure families have access to the care they need for generations to come.

A $300 million investment in Paulding County

Wellstar Health System is investing more than $300 million to expand the Wellstar Paulding campus, including the construction of a seven-story hospital tower and a 467-space parking deck to improve access for patients and families. 

The first phase of the tower, expected to open November 2027, will add 56 beds—increasing the hospital’s current 112-bed capacity by 50%. The expansion will also enhance heart and vascular care services with an additional cath/procedure lab, 20 dedicated recovery spaces and two procedure rooms for advanced heart imaging such as transesophageal echocardiography. Imaging services will grow as well, with expanded CT, X-ray and nuclear medicine capabilities and two new ultrasound spaces. A second phase planned for fiscal year 2029 will add another 56 beds and additional procedural capacity.

“Paulding County is home to so many families who deserve access to excellent care close to where they live,” said Sharon Robinson, vice president of the Wellstar Foundation. “The Hardy family’s investment helps us grow our physician training programs in a way that supports both today’s patients and the long-term health of this community.” 

Expanding the physician pipeline

In response to physician shortages—particularly in rural areas—Wellstar recently launched a GME residency program at Wellstar Paulding. 

The new program will create 30 physician positions focused on internal medicine with an emphasis on rural primary care. GME programs are one of the most effective strategies for strengthening physician pipelines, as communities that train physicians are more likely to retain them. 

Over the past decade, Wellstar has grown its GME program from 14 trainees in 2016 to nearly 300 today across its teaching hospitals. In partnership with Augusta University’s Medical College of Georgia, another 500 physicians are in training at Wellstar MCG Health Medical Center. With the addition of the Wellstar Paulding residency, Wellstar will soon support more than 860 physicians in training statewide. 

The Hardy family’s pledge will help the Wellstar Foundation and community partners raise an additional $3 million to complete the training spaces that will house the Wellstar Paulding residency program in the new tower. 

A hospital growing with its community

Wellstar Paulding employs approximately 1,900 team members and operates one of the busiest emergency departments in the region, with 40 adult and pediatric bays. The hospital has received numerous recognitions for quality and safety, including the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, Magnet designation for nursing excellence, a Leapfrog “A” safety rating and a CMS 4-star quality rating. 

In recent years, Wellstar has expanded outpatient access across Paulding County by adding 69 exam rooms at seven practices in Hiram and Dallas, with an additional 46 exam rooms planned over the next three years. 

“Our parents, Charles and Jeannette Hardy, instilled in us the importance of caring for the community that has supported our family for generations,” said Gordon. “As Wellstar Paulding grows with the addition of the new tower and the launch of its GME program, we believe investing in local healthcare is one of the most meaningful ways we can give back.”