The new Wellstar Paulding Hospital is turning five this September. It was our first opportunity to design a hospital from the ground up, and it became one of the first hospitals in the country to use a geothermal energy system, which uses the heat from below the Earth’s surface to heat and cool the facility.
Paulding Hospital features 112 private inpatient rooms, 40 emergency exam and pediatric emergency exam rooms, seven surgical suites, two GI-specific surgical suites, a bronchoscopy suite and decentralized nursing stations.
The hospital recently celebrated an extraordinary accomplishment when it received the coveted Florida Sterling Georgia Oglethorpe Award, which recognizes the hospital’s exceedingly high performance in patient safety, workforce engagement, and financial stewardship.
Over the years, Paulding kept expanding its list of services, bringing much-needed care close to home. One of these offerings is a state-of-the-art catheterization lab, where patients can get treatment for heart attacks and coronary artery disease. The lab opened in 2017, providing care to patients who previously had to travel to either Cobb or Douglas counties for this same life-saving treatment.
“Wellstar’s philosophy has been to deliver high-quality care to the community,” said Harvey Sacks, MD, who served as Paulding County’s sole cardiologist for several decades. “Bringing interventional cardiology here allows people to be treated near home, and makes it easier for their families to be with them at the hospital. Having family with the patient is an important part of healing.”
That same year Wellstar Paulding was also recognized for innovation and excellence in clinical care for patients with COPD and diabetes. The hospital won second place for its focus on diabetes care, which led to better controlling blood sugar for patients with diabetes while in the hospital. Wellstar Paulding Hospital also won third place for lowering readmission rates for patients with COPD.
Wellstar Paulding Hospital Celebrates Fifth Anniversary
Paulding Hospital Turns Five and Receives Important Award
Published on September 15, 2019
Last updated 05:35 PM August 11, 2020
Wellstar Paulding Hospital was built in 2014 and features 112 private inpatient rooms.
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Newsroom
Hardy Family Automotive Pledges $1 Million to Support Expansion and Physician Training at Wellstar Paulding Medical Center
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.”
Newsroom
Wellstar Paulding Medical Center Achieves ANCC Magnet Recognition® with Distinction
Hiram, Georgia (April 2, 2026) – Wellstar Health System announced that Wellstar Paulding Medical Center achieved Magnet® redesignation in March through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Magnet Recognition Program®. This honor reflects the organization’s continued nursing professionalism, teamwork and commitment to excellence in patient care. Wellstar Paulding first earned Magnet designation in 2021, and this redesignation affirms the team’s sustained dedication to advancing nursing practice and improving patient outcomes. For the first time, Wellstar Paulding was also recognized with Magnet with Distinction, an elevated honor awarded to organizations demonstrating exceptional performance across the Magnet model, joining only 80 hospitals nationwide.
The Magnet Recognition Program distinguishes healthcare organizations that meet rigorous standards for nursing excellence and high-quality care. Wellstar Kennestone Regional Medical Center achieved Magnet designation in 2025.
With this redesignation, Wellstar Paulding continues to be part of the global community of Magnet-recognized organizations. About 10% of hospitals nationwide achieve Magnet recognition due to the program’s complex requirements and comprehensive evaluation process. Even fewer achieve Magnet with Distinction. This distinction further underscores Wellstar’s commitment to delivering world-class, compassionate and personalized care across the communities it serves.
Magnet recognition is the gold standard for nursing excellence and is an important factor when patients and families evaluate healthcare organizations. U.S. News & World Report includes Magnet recognition as part of the methodology for its annual “America’s Best Hospitals" rankings, which assess the quality of inpatient care.
Research demonstrates that Magnet recognition provides measurable benefits to healthcare organizations and the communities they serve, including:
- Higher patient satisfaction with nurse communication, availability of help and discharge information
- Lower risk of 30-day mortality and reduced failure-to-rescue rates
- Higher job satisfaction among nurses
- Lower nurse reports of intent to leave their positions>
“This redesignation is a testament to our nurses and their dedication to patient-centered care,” said Shawn Bishop, vice president and chief nursing officer at Wellstar Paulding. “I am incredibly proud of the teamwork, leadership and excellence they demonstrate every day.”
The Magnet Model provides a framework for nursing practice, research and the measurement of outcomes. Through this framework, ANCC evaluates applicants across multiple components and dimensions to assess nursing excellence. The foundation of the model includes elements essential to delivering superior patient care, including strong nursing leadership, collaboration across specialties, and structured processes for measuring and improving the quality and delivery of care.
“This recognition is a testament to our commitment to supporting the nurses who deliver safe, high-quality care every day,” said Ketul J. Patel, president and CEO of Wellstar Health System. “Wellstar Paulding’s redesignation reflects a team that truly lives out what it means to be neighbors caring for neighbors, leading with heart, collaboration and pride in the community they 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 healthcare 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 nursingworld.org/magnet.
ABOUT WELLSTAR HEALTH SYSTEM
At Wellstar, people are at the center of everything we do. A nonprofit community healthcare system, we are nationally recognized for our personal, high-quality care, inclusive culture, and exceptional doctors and team members. We provide access to compassionate, high-quality care through our: 11 hospitals; 325+ medical office locations; 11 cancer centers; 91 rehabilitation centers; 35 imaging centers; 18 urgent care locations; five health parks; three hospice facilities; and one retirement village. Wellstar thoughtfully invests 100% of every dollar we make into initiatives that create healthier communities. To learn more about how we care for the communities we serve, visit Wellstar.org.
Highlights
Walk Through a 7-Foot Colon Model and Learn About Screenings at Wellstar Events
Early detection is the best prevention, especially when it comes to colon cancer. If caught early, colorectal cancer has a 91% survival rate.
For someone at average risk, screenings should begin at age 45. Those with a higher risk or a family history of colorectal cancer may need to start screening sooner. Talk to your care team to create a personalized screening plan.
To raise awareness of the importance of colon cancer screenings, Wellstar’s surgery, gastroenterology, cancer care and community health teams will host informational events throughout March. Visitors can walk through a large inflatable colon model, learn about the importance of screening and early detection, and at some events, nurses will be available to help patients schedule a colonoscopy.
- March 6, 8 AM - 4 PM, Wellstar MCG Health Medical Center B Entrance
- March 6, 11 AM - 1 PM, Wellstar Kennestone Cancer Center
- March 11, 10 AM - 2 PM, Wellstar Sylvan Grove Medical Center
- March 12, 8 AM - 4 PM, Wellstar Spalding Medical Center
- March 16, 8 AM - 4 PM, Wellstar Douglas Medical Center Main Lobby
- March 17, 8 AM - 4 PM, Wellstar Paulding Medical Center Main Lobby (upstairs)
- March 18, 10 AM - 2 PM, Wellstar Windy Hill Main Lobby
- March 20, 8 AM - 4 PM, Wellstar West Georgia Medical Center Main Lobby
- March 23, 8 AM - 4 PM, Wellstar East Cobb Health Park
- March 24, 8 AM - 4 PM, Wellstar Avalon Health Park Lower Level Lobby
- March 25, 8 AM - 4 PM, Wellstar Vinings Health Park
- March 26, 8 AM - 4 PM, Wellstar Acworth Health Park
- March 27, 8 AM - 4 PM, Wellstar Cherokee Health Park
- March 31, 8 AM - 4 PM, Wellstar Cobb Medical Center
Call our colorectal cancer screening hotline at (470) 793-4032.
