Wellstar Community Health Programs
We support the health of our communities. At Wellstar, we are more than healthcare, PeopleCare.
- Community Health Programs
Community Health Programs at Wellstar
As one of the leading healthcare systems in Georgia and one of the top ten charity care systems in the nation, we embrace the responsibility of supporting our communities throughout the state. Our community health efforts exist to coordinate connections between people who experience poor health outcomes and a lack of resources in order to help improve their chances for sustainable health and well-being. We do this by providing access to care through our community clinic network and community transformation programs, and by providing access to COVID-19 vaccinations and colorectal cancer and prostate cancer screenings, to name just a few examples. In fact, we have facilitated over 10,000 community vaccinations in collaboration with local public health, and we’ve distributed 1,300 Colorectal Cancer Screening Kits through our partnership with BLKHLTH. Across Wellstar, our caregivers and team members from many disciplines work to focus their talents toward service. Because access to healthy foods is a key component of healthy living, we endeavor to offer this support in our community efforts, including our food resource initiatives. When Wellstar’s Community Health Needs Assessments identified food insecurity as a key social determinant of health impacting the well-being of the communities we serve across the state, Wellstar joined the Goodr partner network and launched Wellstar Mobile Markets, a uniquely branded variation of pop-up grocery markets. These Mobile Markets have reached communities in metro Atlanta and beyond. Since its inception in 2020, the “Wellstar on Wheels” Mobile Market has served over 25,000 individuals. Wellstar's Spiritual Health staff support and give care during moments when people most need it. Their primary goal is to provide a compassionate and supportive environment that allows patients, families and other caregivers to feel safe and respected. These efforts include nondenominational spiritual support for patients and family members through our congregational health network, as well as the compassionate attention of social work students on rotation in our medical centers. The efforts of our Wellstar Women's Health caregivers support positive maternal health and wellness by providing vital resources and education to pregnant and postpartum birth givers. Wellstar has partnered with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition of Georgia (HMHBGA) to provide maternal health resources in support of new mothers and birth givers in Georgia. Part of these efforts include distributing free care packages, including practical tools and educational information. Wellstar is also part of a pilot program, Operation MIST, which is studying the maternal mortality and morbidity crisis that is impacting birth givers and the health of their babies. All this important work, and more, to support the health of our communities highlights our Wellstar motto that we are more than healthcare, PeopleCare.2026 Wellstar Mobile Markets
Jackson/Butts CountyLocation: Jackson United Methodist Church
Time: 5 PM - 6 PM
Dates: March 17, April 21, May 19, June 16, September 15, October 20 Douglasville/Douglas County
Location: Saint James AME Church
Time: 10 AM - 11 AM
Dates: March 25, April 29, May 27, June 24, September 23, October 28
Roswell/North Fulton County
Location: Zion Missionary Baptist Church
Time: 5 PM - 6 PM
Dates: March 12, April 9, May 14, June 11, September 10, October 8 Atlanta/South Fulton County
Location: Mount Pleasant Baptist Church
Time: 10 AM - 11 AM
Dates: March 10, April 14, May 12, June 9, September 8, October 13 Dallas/Paulding County
Location: PB Ritch Middle School
Time: 10 AM - 11 AM
Dates: March 28, April 25, May 23, June 27, September 26, October 24 Griffin/Spalding County
Location: The Gathering International
Time: 5 PM - 6 PM
Dates: March 5, April 2, May 7, June 4, September 3, October 1 LaGrange/Troup County
Location: LaGrange AMC Classic 10
Time: 10 AM - 11 AM
Dates: March 7, April 4, May 2, June 6, September 5, October 3
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Highlights
Wellstar Cobb Medical Center Supports Women and Families With Comprehensive Maternal Care
Whether you’re planning to grow your family, expecting a baby or navigating the early days of parenthood, Wellstar Cobb Medical Center supports women and families across Cobb County with expert, compassionate maternal care.
The Women’s Center at Wellstar Cobb was the first hospital in the Wellstar system to achieve a Level III Maternal Care designation from The Joint Commission and the Georgia Department of Public Health and open a dedicated
Obstetric Emergency Department.
Families have access to comprehensive services including
OB/GYN care,
maternal-fetal medicine,
labor and delivery,
a Mother/Baby Unit and a
Level III neonatal intensive care unit (NICU)
for premature and critically ill newborns. The Women’s Center also features recently refreshed spaces designed to enhance comfort and privacy, elevating the patient experience.
By combining advanced technology, family-centered care and personalized support, Wellstar Cobb creates a warm, welcoming environment where women and families feel safe, respected and supported throughout their care journey.
Beyond pregnancy and postpartum care, OB/GYNs also support women’s long-term health through preventive screenings, gynecologic care, menopause care and wellness services tailored to individual needs.
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OB/GYN care
The OB/GYNs at Wellstar Cobb provide personalized care for women through every stage of life. Our team offers a range of maternal services, including:- Family planning and sexual health
- Prenatal care and delivery
- High-risk pregnancy care
- Postpartum care and support
- Infertility evaluation and treatment
Beyond pregnancy and postpartum care, OB/GYNs also support women’s long-term health through preventive screenings, gynecologic care, menopause care and wellness services tailored to individual needs.
Maternal-fetal medicine
Maternal-fetal medicine specialists care for women experiencing high-risk pregnancies. These experts work closely with OB/GYNs to monitor both mother and baby, helping families navigate complex conditions with clarity and confidence. At Wellstar Cobb, our maternal-fetal medicine team treats women with high-risk factors such as heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, infectious diseases and multiple births. Specialists also use advanced imaging, genetic screening and fetal monitoring to help identify and manage complications as early as possible. Women experiencing high-risk pregnancies may receive care in the hospital’s dedicated antepartum unit (APU), where specialized nurses partner closely with maternal-fetal medicine physicians to support patients with personalized care and education. APU care teams also create opportunities for comfort, connection and encouragement during extended hospital stays—from baby showers to themed experiences—helping patients feel supported throughout their pregnancy journey.Labor and delivery
Wellstar Cobb offers maternity services designed to help mothers and babies stay safe and comfortable throughout labor, delivery and recovery. Because every birth experience is different, care teams prioritize shared decision-making and support birth plans that include midwives and doulas. Labor and delivery teams work closely with NICU specialists whenever advanced support or monitoring is needed. The onsite Level III NICU allows newborn specialists to provide immediate care for mothers and babies. Wellstar Cobb provides care for both routine and high-risk deliveries, including babies born as early as 22 weeks. Care continues beyond delivery, with teams across the Women's Center working together to support families as they prepare for the transition home.Mother/Baby Unit and Women’s Unit
Following delivery, families receive continued care in the Mother/Baby Unit, where private rooms and a family-centered couplet-care and rooming-in approach helps minimize separation between parents and babies whenever possible. Care teams support skin-to-skin contact and every family's unique feeding and bonding journey while providing education and guidance as families prepare to transition home. In addition, the Women’s Unit provides specialized gynecologic and surgical recovery care, combining clinical excellence with emotional support to help patients navigate recovery, unexpected diagnoses and sensitive health experiences with dignity, empathy and expertise. Admission, Discharge and Education (ADE) nurses play an important role across both units, helping families feel informed, prepared and supported throughout their stay with personalized education and discharge guidance. Their collaboration with teams across the Women's Center helps ensure seamless, coordinated care from admission through discharge.Obstetric Emergency Department
The Obstetric Emergency Department at Wellstar Cobb provides 24/7 specialized care for patients who are 20 weeks pregnant through six weeks postpartum. Patients are evaluated directly by board-certified obstetric providers, who work closely with maternal-fetal medicine experts, anesthesiologists, neonatologists, nurses and midwives to deliver coordinated care. Services include rapid diagnosis and treatment for urgent pregnancy concerns, fetal monitoring and ultrasound, and care for pregnancy-related or postpartum complications. Specialists also provide emotional guidance and resources for families, including support during high-risk pregnancies or loss. “Pregnancy can bring moments of uncertainty and having immediate access to obstetric experts can make all the difference,” said Dr. Jessica Williams, OB/GYN medical director at Wellstar Cobb. “The Obstetric Emergency Department allows us to respond quickly, provide clarity and help families feel supported from the moment they walk through the door.”NICU
Wellstar Cobb is home to a Level III NICU providing advanced care for premature and medically complex newborns. The care team includes neonatologists, neonatal nurses and respiratory therapists specially trained to care for critically ill newborns. Having a Level III NICU in Cobb County allows families to access world-class care close to home during some of life's most critical moments. Families can remain near their support systems while their baby receives specialized care. “Our diverse team of experienced neonatologists and neonatal nurse practitioners brings the highest level of training to each newborn’s care,” said Dr. Kathryn Rhyne, medical director of the NICU at Wellstar Cobb. “Treating every baby with love and compassion, we work together with our patients’ families to make their time spent in the NICU as smooth as possible.” Recent NICU updates reflect Wellstar Cobb’s commitment to high-quality care for mothers, babies and families across Cobb County. Designed to create a bright and welcoming environment, the renovated space helps families feel more comfortable and connected during a challenging time. Parents have access to 24-hour camera streaming so they can securely check in on their baby remotely. Lactation services and breastfeeding education are available in the NICU and across the Women’s Center. The hospital also supports a milk depot program that helps provide donor milk for premature and medically fragile infants in the NICU. Throughout the NICU stay, care teams partner with parents in their baby's care, encouraging bonding through skin-to-skin contact, breastfeeding support and involvement in care whenever possible. The goal is to help every family feel informed, supported and connected.Resources and support
Wellstar Cobb offers educational resources and programs for patients before, during and after pregnancy. Community outreach efforts, including an annual baby shower hosted at the hospital, invite expecting and new parents to tour the hospital, connect with community resources and learn more about topics such as car seat safety, pain management options and doula support. My Pregnancy Journey includes trimester-specific guidance on physical and emotional changes, nutrition, wellness and medication safety. Women and families can also access classes on childbirth, breastfeeding and newborn care, along with mental health and parenting resources. Learn more about maternal care services at Wellstar Cobb.
Highlights
Know Your Numbers: A Community‑Powered Approach to Heart Health
High blood pressure is often called the “silent killer”—not because it’s rare, but because so many people are living with it without knowing their numbers. Across Cobb and Douglas counties, a new, community‑centered effort expands access to blood pressure monitoring and education.
Through a partnership between Wellstar Community Health, Wellstar Foundation, American Heart Association and Cobb & Douglas Public Health, the Know Your Numbers initiative is helping residents take an active role in their heart health—one reading at a time.
Meeting people where they are
At its core, Know Your Numbers is built on a simple yet powerful belief: Awareness is key to better health outcomes. Many people—especially those who are unable to get the healthcare they need—do not have easy access to blood pressure monitoring tools or clear information about what their numbers mean.
Know Your Numbers addresses that gap by placing easy‑to‑use blood pressure monitoring stations directly inside community and faith‑based spaces. These are places where people already feel safe, welcomed and supported. By placing these tools into trusted environments, the program reduces barriers and normalizes conversations about heart health.
More than a reading: education, empowerment and connection to care
Each blood pressure station is paired with an interactive education session led in partnership with the American Heart Association. Participants learn:
- How to properly take a blood pressure reading
- What the numbers mean for their health
- When and how to seek follow‑up care
This approach helps ensure that people don’t just know their blood pressure numbers—they know how to take action to stay healthy.
Advancing public health priorities together
Know Your Numbers is funded through the 2025–2026 Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) Partnership Grant awarded by Cobb & Douglas Public Health. The initiative directly advances CHIP priorities focused on access to care, chronic disease prevention and culturally responsive health education across Cobb and Douglas counties.
Through this grant period, the partnership is working toward meaningful outcomes, including:
- Installing blood pressure monitoring stations in community settings
- Delivering tailored education sessions on heart health
- Expanding access to individual blood pressure kits
- Increasing self‑reported blood pressure monitoring among participants
- Strengthening connections to primary care and social care resources
These efforts are committed to long-term engagement and results, not just a one-time blood pressure check.
A collective commitment to heart health equity
No single organization can address high blood pressure alone. What makes Know Your Numbers powerful is the strength of the partnership behind it. The Wellstar Foundation plays a critical role in grant funding and supporting the program, while community partners bring local insight and trust. Together with American Heart Association and Cobb & Douglas Public Health, the initiative demonstrates what is possible when clinical expertise, public health strategy and community voice come together.
Looking ahead: strengthening health through trusted community partnerships
As Know Your Numbers continues to grow, the heart of the initiative remains its partnership with local churches and faith‑based organizations that open their doors, lend their leadership and serve as trusted anchors for health in their communities. These congregations are not simply host sites—they are active partners in promoting prevention, wellness and connection to care.
A special thank you to our Congregational Health Network partners supporting this work by hosting blood pressure monitoring stations:
Newsroom
Wellstar Health System to Acquire Mountain Lakes Medical Center
CLAYTON, Ga. (June 5, 2026) — Wellstar Health System and Mountain Lakes Medical Center (MLMC) today announced that they have finalized an agreement for Wellstar to acquire the northeast Georgia-based hospital. The transaction is expected to close August 1, pending the conclusion of regulatory requirements and customary closing conditions.
Mountain Lakes Medical Center is a 25-bed critical access hospital serving Rabun County and surrounding northeast Georgia communities. After the acquisition, MLMC will become Wellstar Mountain Lakes Medical Center and join Wellstar’s integrated health system network across Georgia.
“From our earliest conversations, it was clear that Mountain Lakes Medical Center was a special organization with a talented team, deep community roots and tremendous potential,” said Wellstar President and CEO Ketul J. Patel. “We collaboratively pursued this opportunity to build on the hospital’s strong foundation and create new possibilities for patients, clinicians and communities in Rabun County and beyond.”
Patel said the acquisition reflects Wellstar’s broader vision of enhancing patient care across Georgia and the Southeast.
“At Wellstar, we’re building a connected healthcare ecosystem that links community hospitals, physicians, specialists, advanced clinical programs and digital capabilities into a seamless experience for patients. We believe MLMC has an important role to play in that future.”
MLMC leaders said becoming part of Wellstar positions the hospital to continue growing while preserving its commitment to serving the local community.
“MLMC has long served as an important healthcare resource for Rabun County and the surrounding area,” said Mountain Lakes Medical Center CEO Kristy Hall. “We believe joining Wellstar creates exciting opportunities to build on that success while connecting our patients and clinicians to additional expertise, technology, specialty resources and healthcare capabilities that can help support the future of healthcare in northeast Georgia.”
Wellstar and MLMC emphasized that patients will continue to have access to the clinicians and care teams they know and trust. Wellstar intends to take a phased and thoughtful approach to integration that prioritizes continuity for patients, clinicians and team members.
As part of Wellstar, MLMC will gain access to broader clinical expertise, advanced clinical programs, technology resources and operational support. Over time, patients and clinicians will also benefit from Wellstar’s Digital Care Network, which connects local care teams with specialists and advanced clinical programs across the system in real time, helping accelerate diagnosis, treatment planning and coordinated care.
The organizations also believe the acquisition will strengthen healthcare access throughout northeast Georgia and the region. Wellstar views MLMC as an important healthcare access point uniquely positioned to help connect patients and communities to specialists, advanced treatment options and healthcare resources while allowing patients to continue receiving care close to home.
For team members and clinicians, the transaction represents an investment in the people and relationships that have made MLMC what it is today. Wellstar intends to retain current MLMC team members at the point of transition and anticipates continuity in local operations throughout the process.
Additional information and updates will be shared with team members, clinicians, patients and the community.
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