Wellstar Kennestone Hospital Wins Best in Real Estate Award

In a heartwarming display of camaraderie, Wellstar team members gathered across the system to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s life and legacy as part of the health system’s annual program to recognize his profound impact on civil rights in the United States. This year, the program featured a compelling conversation with his eldest son, Martin Luther King III. 

A humanitarian and civil rights activist in his own right, King sat down with nationally renowned journalist Monica Kauffman Pearson to discuss his parents' legacy of nonviolent and peaceful activism, and how their influence continues to shape his own life and efforts. The conversation centered on one of his father’s most famous quotes: "The time is always right to do what is right."

King discussed the importance of using constructive dialogue in times of conflict, sharing insights into how his late mother, Coretta Scott King, successfully convinced President Ronald Reagan in 1983 to sign into law a bill that created Martin Luther King Jr. Day as a federal holiday.

In the conversation, Kauffman Pearson asked King how his father's legacy extends to health equity. 

“I think we're making small steps. We need to accelerate it to gigantic steps,” King said, encouraging people to consider an important question: “What are you going to do to make your community, your nation, our world better?” 

“Like Martin Luther King III, I believe we have a responsibility to make the world a better place,” said Candice L. Saunders, president and CEO of Wellstar Health System. “In healthcare, we seize that opportunity one patient at a time, serving with compassion and honoring every voice as we work together to enhance the health and well-being of every person we serve.”

View excerpts of the conversation here.

MARIETTA, Ga. (Jan. 15, 2025) – Wellstar Health System announced today that President and CEO Candice L. Saunders has shared her intention to retire at the end of the nonprofit’s fiscal year on June 30, 2025, after an exceptional career of service and accomplishment.

Saunders joined Wellstar in March 2007 as president of Wellstar Kennestone Regional Medical Center. She was promoted to executive vice president and chief operating officer of Wellstar Health System in May 2013 and was appointed president and CEO in July 2015.

Saunders has guided Wellstar’s growth from its roots as a small group of community hospitals into a leading nonprofit health system with 11 hospitals, more than 400 medical offices, and 33,000 team members serving more than 3 million patients each year in 148 of Georgia’s 159 counties. Today, Wellstar is a national leader in charity and uncompensated care, providing more than $1 billion annually in healthcare to patients who are uninsured or under-insured.

“Candice is a compassionate caregiver and a visionary leader,” said Frank Ros, chairman of the Wellstar Board of Trustees. “Under her leadership, Wellstar has forged new community partnerships, implemented new care models and clinical innovations, and advanced cutting-edge technologies that are improving health outcomes and enhancing the patient experience. As a result, Wellstar has become an essential provider of quality healthcare for Georgia.”   

“I will leave with a full heart. I feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to lead Wellstar and work with so many talented leaders and caregivers, all committed to our vision of providing world-class healthcare to every person, every time,” said Saunders. “I’m so proud of our team and all we’ve accomplished together.” 

The announcement begins a planned six-month succession process. The Wellstar Board of Trustees will retain an executive search firm and create a CEO search committee that will be led by Ros. The national search will include internal and external candidates. Saunders will remain engaged after June through an appropriate period to ensure a smooth leadership transition. 

Saunders started her career as a critical care nurse and still regularly puts on scrubs to make rounds at Wellstar facilities and listen to doctors, nurses, patients, and families. She is known for her emphasis on building a positive workplace culture and developing strong leaders. During her tenure, Wellstar has received numerous awards as a great place to work, including Fortune’s list of 100 Best Companies to Work For in America.

With the belief that the patient should be at the center of every activity, Saunders led Wellstar’s launch of the PeopleCare brand, created a rigorous strategic planning process, and established new mission, vision, and values statements that prioritize the consumer experience.   

Saunders was the architect of the successful partnership between Wellstar and Augusta University’s Medical College of Georgia to create Wellstar MCG Health, strengthening healthcare in the Central Savannah River Area and enhancing medical education in Georgia. She led an expanded partnership with Kennesaw State University and its Wellstar College of Health and Human Services, helping to increase the number of much-needed nurses in Georgia. 

One of Wellstar’s significant innovations during Saunders’ tenure was the launch of Catalyst by Wellstar, which supports the development of early-stage technologies with the potential to improve health outcomes and the patient experience.   

After Wellstar’s difficult decision to close Atlanta Medical Center following an unsuccessful two-year effort to find partners, Saunders forged a partnership with The Integral Group, a nationally recognized Atlanta-based firm, to develop a community-based plan for the future of the site. The work is being guided by a land-use plan unanimously approved by the Atlanta City Council with support from Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens and the leadership of the local neighborhood association. 

Saunders served on the Boards of Trustees of the American Hospital Association and the Georgia Hospital Association, where she also served as chairperson. She serves on the Boards of Directors of the Coalition to Strengthen America’s Healthcare, the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, the Cobb Chamber of Commerce, and the Board of Trustees for the Kennesaw State University Foundation. She also belongs to the Downtown Rotary Club among many other civic organizations. Modern Healthcare named her to its lists of Top 25 Women Leaders and Top 50 Most Influential Clinical Executives. In 2022, she was recognized by the Atlanta Business Chronicle as Atlanta’s Most People-Focused CEO. In 2025, she was named to Georgia Trend’s list of 100 Most Influential Georgians for the 9^th consecutive year. 

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ABOUT WELLSTAR HEALTH SYSTEM

Wellstar personalizes the patient experience. We call it PeopleCare and it's only possible thanks to our 33,000 team members who provide compassionate care for every stage of life. PeopleCare also means we serve our communities as a non-profit health system, providing more than $1 billion annually in charity care and community programs, and operating the largest integrated trauma network in the State of Georgia. We embrace innovation and technology, nurture early-stage companies through our venture firm Catalyst by Wellstar, and train future generations of caregivers with academic institutions including the Medical College of Georgia. Wellstar honors every voice, earning Newsweek's recognition as one of America’s Greatest Workplaces for Diversity, and one of Fortune's 100 Best Companies to Work For. To learn more, visit Wellstar.org.

Whether you experience an injury, minor illness or simply need a wellness exam, the most important step you can take is getting the care you need. That way, you can find trained experts for your specific medical needs, stay ahead of potential health issues or even help prevent your condition from worsening. 

With primary, virtual, urgent and emergency care services available, as well as retail pharmacies, how do you decide which type of care is best for your medical situation? Learn the differences between each type of medical service so you don’t delay and get care right away. 

Local Pharmacies 

If you are ill and have minor symptoms, over-the-counter medications can help you feel better. At your local retail pharmacy, you can find over-the-counter treatments for minor conditions like colds. If your symptoms worsen or do not go away with over-the-counter treatments, contact your primary care team or visit an urgent care location. 

Local pharmacies also carry at-home COVID-19 tests, offering a convenient testing option for people who have been exposed or are experiencing mild symptoms of COVID-19. 

Virtual Care 

Whether you have a busy schedule or are just looking for a more convenient option, virtual appointments are an easy way to keep up with your health from anywhere. 

At Wellstar, we offer virtual visits with both primary care clinicians and specialists—no matter if you are an established patient or not. Connect with your Wellstar care team over the phone or with video on a computer, smartphone or tablet. 

If you’re an established patient, simply request a virtual visit through MyChart. If you don’t have an account, it’s easy to sign up for MyChart and keep all of your important health information in one secure space. You can also call your physician’s office directly and request a virtual appointment over the phone. 

These days, many types of appointments can be done virtually, including consultations, care for chronic conditions and prescription management. In addition to virtual primary and specialty care appointments, we also provide virtual urgent care through WellstarON for minor medical concerns. 

While virtual care is a convenient way to stay well, it should never be used in place of emergency care. If you are experiencing a life-threatening medical emergency, call 911 right away. 

Primary Care 

Primary care is ongoing, comprehensive care and preventative medicine that helps you live a full, healthy life. 

Your primary care clinician—either an internal or family medicine physician, pediatrician or OB/GYN, depending on your age and medical needs—gets to know you and your health history on a deeper level. That means they have a more accurate view of your overall wellness. 

Services include: 

• Annual wellness exams 
• Health screenings, labs and imaging 
• Care for chronic conditions, such as diabetes or high blood pressure 
• Immunizations for children and adults 
• Treatment for acute illness, such as the flu or colds 
• Coordinating care with other specialists 
• Physical and mental health concerns, such as weight loss or anxiety 

Find a Wellstar primary care location in your neighborhood. 

Urgent Care 

If you’re dealing with a minor injury or illness or need care after your physician’s regular office hours, going to urgent care is often the right choice. Wellstar Urgent Care Centers provide quick, convenient care for non-emergency medical conditions. 

We also offer urgent care through WellstarON, which provides virtual health visits for minor medical concerns from the comfort and convenience of home. 

Wellstar Urgent Care provides: 

• Care for minor illnesses and injuries, such as coughs, colds, sprains and broken bones 
• Treatment for medical issues like bites, burns and cuts 
• COVID-19 testing and evaluation for patients 12 and older 
• Lab and X-rays 
• Sports physicals 
• Occupational health services 
• Worker’s compensation services 

Find a Wellstar urgent care location near you or make a virtual urgent care appointment. 

Emergency Care 

In a life-threatening medical emergency, every second counts. Never put off getting the proper care when lives are on the line. Remember, driving yourself to the emergency department (ED) may delay care, so call 911 for the fastest access to emergency care. 

When the unexpected happens, Wellstar is always ready in a medical emergency. Our trained team provides expert emergency care 24 hours a day for people of all ages. We even have several pediatric emergency room locations, specifically designed to treat children. 

Recognize the signs of a medical emergency: 

• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath 
• Chest discomfort or pain 
• Severe abdominal pain 
• Fainting or loss of consciousness 
• Sudden dizziness, weakness or vision changes 
• Sudden, severe pain 
• Uncontrolled or severe bleeding 
• Choking, coughing up blood or severe vomiting 
• Suicidal or homicidal thoughts 
• Changes in mental status, such as confusion or unusual behavior 
• Traumatic injury due to a motor vehicle or other accidents 

Find a Wellstar emergency department close to you. Remember, call 911 right away in a medical emergency. That way, care can begin sooner during the crucial time it takes to be transported to the hospital.