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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.

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Wellstar Paulding Medical Center

Wellstar Paulding Medical Center is designed with patient care in mind offering the safest, most sustainable care in the region. Our cutting-edge technology and extensive expertise creates an unparalleled healthcare experience as unique as you. We provide whole-person, high-quality care for your medical, surgical, rehabilitative or emergency needs when you need it most.

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Information


Address

2518 Jimmy Lee Smith Parkway
Hiram, GA 30141

Phone Number

(470) 644-7000
  • Directory
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(470) 644-7105
Monday:
9:00 AM-5:00 PM
Tuesday:
9:00 AM-5:00 PM
Wednesday:
9:00 AM-5:00 PM
Thursday:
9:00 AM-5:00 PM
Friday:
9:00 AM-5:00 PM
(470) 644-7110
Monday:
8:00 AM-4:30 PM
Tuesday:
8:00 AM-4:30 PM
Wednesday:
8:00 AM-4:30 PM
Thursday:
8:00 AM-4:30 PM
Friday:
8:00 AM-4:30 PM
(470) 245-9998
Monday:
8:00 AM-5:00 PM
Tuesday:
8:00 AM-5:00 PM
Wednesday:
8:00 AM-5:00 PM
Thursday:
8:00 AM-5:00 PM
Friday:
8:00 AM-5:00 PM
(470) 644-7125
Monday:
8:00 AM-5:00 PM
Tuesday:
8:00 AM-5:00 PM
Wednesday:
8:00 AM-5:00 PM
Thursday:
8:00 AM-5:00 PM
Friday:
8:00 AM-5:00 PM
(470) 644-8091
Monday:
8:00 AM-6:00 PM
Tuesday:
8:00 AM-6:00 PM
Wednesday:
8:00 AM-6:00 PM
Thursday:
8:00 AM-6:00 PM
Friday:
8:00 AM-6:00 PM
(470) 644-7074
Monday:
6:30 AM-7:30 PM
Tuesday:
6:30 AM-7:30 PM
Wednesday:
6:30 AM-7:30 PM
Thursday:
6:30 AM-7:30 PM
Friday:
6:30 AM-7:30 PM
Saturday:
6:30 AM-7:30 PM
Sunday:
6:30 AM-7:30 PM
(470) 644-7000
Monday:
6:30 AM-12:30 AM
Tuesday:
6:30 AM-12:30 AM
Wednesday:
6:30 AM-12:30 AM
Thursday:
6:30 AM-12:30 AM
Friday:
9:00 AM-7:00 PM
(470) 644-7107
Monday:
8:00 AM-5:00 PM
Tuesday:
8:00 AM-5:00 PM
Wednesday:
8:00 AM-5:00 PM
Thursday:
8:00 AM-5:00 PM
Friday:
8:00 AM-5:00 PM

Gift Shop
Located on the main level

(470) 644-7105
Monday:
9:00 AM-5:00 PM
Tuesday:
9:00 AM-5:00 PM
Wednesday:
9:00 AM-5:00 PM
Thursday:
9:00 AM-5:00 PM
Friday:
9:00 AM-5:00 PM

Medical Records

(470) 644-7110
Monday:
8:00 AM-4:30 PM
Tuesday:
8:00 AM-4:30 PM
Wednesday:
8:00 AM-4:30 PM
Thursday:
8:00 AM-4:30 PM
Friday:
8:00 AM-4:30 PM

Patient Billing

(470) 245-9998
Monday:
8:00 AM-5:00 PM
Tuesday:
8:00 AM-5:00 PM
Wednesday:
8:00 AM-5:00 PM
Thursday:
8:00 AM-5:00 PM
Friday:
8:00 AM-5:00 PM

Patient Experience

(470) 644-7125
Monday:
8:00 AM-5:00 PM
Tuesday:
8:00 AM-5:00 PM
Wednesday:
8:00 AM-5:00 PM
Thursday:
8:00 AM-5:00 PM
Friday:
8:00 AM-5:00 PM

Pharmacy
Outpatient Pavilion North Atrium Lobby

(470) 644-8091
Monday:
8:00 AM-6:00 PM
Tuesday:
8:00 AM-6:00 PM
Wednesday:
8:00 AM-6:00 PM
Thursday:
8:00 AM-6:00 PM
Friday:
8:00 AM-6:00 PM

Paulding Perk

(470) 644-7074 Closed ▼
Monday:
6:30 AM-7:30 PM
Tuesday:
6:30 AM-7:30 PM
Wednesday:
6:30 AM-7:30 PM
Thursday:
6:30 AM-7:30 PM
Friday:
6:30 AM-7:30 PM
Saturday:
6:30 AM-7:30 PM
Sunday:
6:30 AM-7:30 PM

Seasons Café
Located on the main level of hospital

(470) 644-7000
Monday:
6:30 AM-12:30 AM
Tuesday:
6:30 AM-12:30 AM
Wednesday:
6:30 AM-12:30 AM
Thursday:
6:30 AM-12:30 AM
Friday:
9:00 AM-7:00 PM

Spiritual Health

(470) 644-7107
Monday:
8:00 AM-5:00 PM
Tuesday:
8:00 AM-5:00 PM
Wednesday:
8:00 AM-5:00 PM
Thursday:
8:00 AM-5:00 PM
Friday:
8:00 AM-5:00 PM

Visitor Information

Patient Privacy

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) includes rules pertaining to increased and standardized confidentiality and security of health data. HIPAA privacy regulations require that access to patient information be limited to only those authorized, and that only the information necessary for a task be available to them. Personal health information is always protected and kept confidential. Unless otherwise instructed, visitors of Wellstar hospitals can be provided the location of a patient and general information about their condition.


Visiting Hours & Policies

We believe the support of friends and family is important when a friend or loved one is ill. It is our pleasure to make this possible with a regular schedule of visiting hours that accommodate well-wishers and family members while also respecting the comfort and privacy of our patients. Please observe the following guidelines when visiting the hospital.

  • When visiting in the ICU, it is encouraged to limit visitors to two at a time. An overnight visitor can be accommodated, please discuss with your nurse.
  • For the privacy of all the patients in the unit, please remain in your family member’s room.
  • Due to the nature of the critical care environment, it is recommended children be over the age of 12 when visiting patients. Please feel free to discuss any special circumstances with your nurse.
  • Please obtain prior permission from the nurse before bringing food into the unit. Drinks must be covered with a lid or cap.

Food Options

Season's Café

The goal of the Nutrition & Food Service Department is to provide you with nutritious and appetizing meals in a friendly and courteous manner. In addition, the department serves as a nutritional resource while you are hospitalized and is available for follow-up after you go home.

Guests, visitors and family members may dine in our Season' Café located on the main level of the hospital. We offer a wide selection of hot entrees, soups, a salad bar, grab 'n' go sandwiches, salads, refreshing beverages and tasty desserts. If a guest would like to dine with you, a guest meal certificate may be purchased from the Season's Café cashier.

Hours of Operation

Breakfast: 6:30 AM-10:00 AM
Lunch and Dinner: 11:00 AM-7:30 PM
Late Night: 9:00 PM-12:30 AM

 

Paulding Perk

A walk-up bistro offering on-the-go Starbucks® beverages, meals and snacks. The new dining area also provides another option for everyone to recharge their batteries at the hospital.
 
Hours of Operation

6:30AM-7:30PM

Vending machines, available 24 hours a day for snacks and beverages, are outside the café on the main floor and there are drink machines on the fourth and fifth floor atrium.

Become a Wellstar Volunteer

We offer volunteer opportunities in a variety of settings. As a volunteer, you will be joining individuals of all ages and backgrounds, who are dedicated to giving back to our hospital and community, and ensuring we achieve our vision of delivering world-class healthcare.

Volunteers play an important role in many different departments and have varying responsibilities. Volunteer openings are Monday through Friday, between 8:30 AM and 4:30 PM and volunteers are asked to commit at least one four-hour shift, each week, for six months or 100 hours, whichever comes first.

Learn more about volunteer opportunities at Wellstar Paulding Medical Center

Accreditations & Recognition

Quality & Safety
  • Healthgrades Patient Safety Excellence Award; Top 10% in The Country
  • Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award Paulding Hospital
  • The Emergency Nurses Association Lantern Award
  • Magnet® Recognition for Nursing Excellence
  • Lown Institute Hospital Index Grades: Top 100 Lown Composite
  • The Washington Monthly - Honor Roll: The 20 Best Hospitals for America
  • Leapfrog Grade A Paulding Hospital
  • Governor’s Sterling Award Recipients Performance Excellence Role Models
Heart Care
  • Advanced certification as a Joint Commission Primary Heart Attack Center
  • Emergency Cardiac Care Center Level II by the Georgia Department of Public Health
  • Mission: Lifeline® - STEMI Receiving Center - GOLD Award by the American Heart Association
  • Get With The Guidelines® - Heart Failure GOLD PLUS with Target: Heart Failure Honor Roll and Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll Award by the American Heart Association
Stroke Care
  • Designated a Remote Treatment Stroke Center by the Georgia Department of Public Health
Pulmonary Care
  • Healthgrades Pulmonary Care Excellence Award™
Cancer Care
  • First to be recognized in Georgia as a Network Cancer Program by the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer
More Honors
  • National Hospital Organ Donation Campaign, Workplace Partnership for Life, U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services - 2019 Platinum Recognition
  • American Health Care Association & National Center for Assisted Living: Silver
  • Achievement in Quality Award Paulding Nursing Center
  • Nursing at Wellstar Paulding Medical Center

    At Wellstar Paulding, it takes a village to deliver personalized care to the community. Our healthcare heroes are more than just nurses, doctors and staff helping people overcome illnesses. We are truly friends caring for friends, family caring for family and neighbors caring for neighbors.

    Learn more about the nursing culture at Wellstar Paulding Medical Center
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    Services


    Wellstar Heart Care service card illustration
    Heart Care

    Heart Care

    Comprehensive, cardiac care you can count on.
    Learn More
    Wellstar Emergency Care service card illustration
    Department

    Emergency Care

    Expert care you need when you need it most. Specialized care for children.
    Learn More
    Wellstar Cancer Care service card illustration
    Cancer Care

    Cancer Care

    Comprehensive cancer care for the whole person.
    Learn More
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    Surgical Service

    General Surgery

    From elective to trauma, specializing in procedures with quicker recovery. 
    Learn More
    Wellstar Robotic Surgery service card illustration
    Service

    Robotic Surgery

    Smaller incisions, less pain and quicker recovery.
    Learn More
    Wellstar Neuro Care service card illustration
    Service

    Neuro Care

    World-class care for your brain, spine and nerve health, including stroke care.
    Learn More
    Wellstar Orthopedics service card illustration
    Service

    Orthopedics

    Getting you back to the activities you love with less pain.
    Learn More
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    Service

    Urology

    Personalized, expert care from cancer to fertility, kidney stones to incontinence.
    Learn More

    Awards and Accreditations


    Wellstar is frequently recognized for its commitment to providing world-class healthcare and excellent patient service

    Malcom Baldrige National Quality Award

    Malcom Baldrige National Quality Award for 2020
    The Baldrige Award is the nation’s highest level of recognition for performance excellence. It’s one of the highest honors an organization can receive in the U.S., and we’re the first hospital in Georgia to receive it.

    The Emergency Nurses Association Lantern Award

    Emergency Nurses Association Lantern Award Seal
    The Emergency Nurses Association Lantern Award recognizes emergency departments that exemplify exceptional practice and innovative performance in nursing leadership, practice, education, advocacy, and research.

    Magnet® Recognition for Nursing Excellence

    American Nurses Credentialing Center Magnet Recognition
    The American Nurses Credentialing Center’s (ANCC) Magnet Recognition Program® distinguishes organizations that meet rigorous standards for nursing excellence.
    Illustration of robotic surgery
    Robotic surgery in Paulding

    For the first time, people in Paulding County and nearby communities have access to leading-edge robotic surgery close to home.  

    Paulding Hospital - ED Entrance 2 - Carousel 1283x722
    Cutting-edge safety and quality principles
    Wellstar Paulding has earned top ratings by leading healthcare rating organizations.
    Paulding Hospital - Main Entrance 14 - Carousel 1283x722
    Innovative technology and design

    Powered by a strong team of caregivers who are neighbors caring for neighbors

    Wellstar Paulding Hospital patient room
    Designed with patient comfort in mind

    112 private inpatient rooms, we provide advanced medical, surgical and nursing care

    Award-winning safety and quality

    Wellstar Paulding received outstanding grade for safety, quality and resource use.

    Upcoming Events

    View All Events

    For the health and safety of our communities during the COVID-19 pandemic, all events and classes are limited. For a complete list, see our event calendar.

    News


    Illustration of patient and linear accelerator

    Wellstar Paulding Medical Center Transforms Cancer Care With Major Renovation

    On May 23, Wellstar Health System hosted a ribbon cutting to celebrate the completion of a major renovation to bring advanced cancer treatments to people in Paulding County and surrounding communities. The event was hosted at Wellstar Paulding Medical Center in Hiram, Georgia, and attended by patients, physicians, healthcare leaders, team members, government officials and community partners.

    “We strive to bring world-class healthcare to our neighbors every day,” said Ralph Turner, Wellstar senior vice president and president of Wellstar Paulding Medical Center. “We opened this new hospital almost 10 years ago, but that was not the finish line — just a stop on our journey. We continue to find new ways to keep pace with this community’s growth and provide the most comprehensive cancer care to this community.

    Expanded capacity & new cutting-edge technology

    The expansion enhances the patient experience by adding a new radiation vault to house a TrueBeam linear accelerator — an advanced system that delivers radiation therapy. While the capacity to treat people with cancer doubled, new technology brings more cutting-edge treatments to Paulding, alongside a modernized dressing room area offering patients more space and comfort. 

    “This is a dream come true after seeing the growing need for cancer treatment in this area,” said Dr. William Thoms, Radiation Oncology medical director. “The new TrueBeam allows people to stay closer to home rather than driving outside our own community for radiation therapy."

    The expansion enhances the patient experience by adding a new radiation vault to house a TrueBeam linear accelerator — an advanced system that delivers radiation therapy. While the capacity to treat people with cancer doubled, new technology brings more cutting-edge treatments to Paulding, alongside a modernized dressing room area offering patients more space and comfort.

    New, advanced treatments in Paulding

    Wellstar Paulding’s new linear accelerator also brings a leading-edge cancer treatment called stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) to Paulding County for the first time.

    “SBRT will transform cancer care in our community,” said Dr. Rakendu Shukla, Wellstar radiation oncologist. “In the coming months, we will roll out new treatments previously unavailable in Paulding.”

    SBRT is different from conventional radiation therapy because it delivers very high, precise doses of radiation directly to tumors that are traditionally difficult to treat. It is more powerful at killing tumors, and it decreases the amount of radiation that healthy tissue is exposed to, which decreases side effects. And the treatment can be delivered over a short course of time — around 1-5 days rather than weeks or months.

    The renovated space is located at Wellstar Paulding Medical Center’s Outpatient Pavilion at 148 Bill Carruth Parkway in Hiram, Georgia.

    On May 23, community leaders gathered to cut the ribbon on a cancer treatment expansion Wellstar Paulding Medical Center. Pictured l-r: Don Zarkou, VP, Oncology Service Line, Wellstar Health System; Ralph Turner, SVP, Wellstar Health System, President, Wellstar Paulding Medical Center; Dr. Michael Andrews, Chief Cancer Officer, Wellstar Health System; Dr. William Thoms, Radiation Oncology Medical Director, Wellstar Paulding Medical Center; Sandy Kaecher, Post II Paulding Commissioner; Nichole Rydahl, AVP, Operations, Wellstar Paulding Medical Center; Shawn Jackson, Manager, Radiation Oncology, Wellstar Paulding Medical Center; Dr. Rakendu Shukla, Radiation Oncologist, Wellstar Paulding Medical Center.

    Pictured l-r: Don Zarkou, VP, Oncology Service Line, Wellstar Health System; Ralph Turner, SVP, Wellstar Health System, President, Wellstar Paulding Medical Center; Dr. Michael Andrews, Chief Cancer Officer, Wellstar Health System; Dr. William Thoms, Radiation Oncology Medical Director, Wellstar Paulding Medical Center; Sandy Kaecher, Post II Paulding Commissioner; Nichole Rydahl, AVP, Operations, Wellstar Paulding Medical Center; Shawn Jackson, Manager, Radiation Oncology, Wellstar Paulding Medical Center; Dr. Rakendu Shukla, Radiation Oncologist, Wellstar Paulding Medical Center.

    In the last year, patients received nearly 8,000 radiation treatments. The radiation oncology team (pictured) often extended hours from 7 a.m. until 7 or 8 p.m. to accommodate patients.

    Physicians and team members from the Wellstar Paulding Medical Center oncology team gathered for a ribbon cutting to celebrate the completion of a major expansion to cancer services. 

    Wellstar Paulding Medical Center’s new TrueBeam linear accelerator helps make cancer treatment more accessible to patients and brings a leading-edge cancer treatment called stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) to Paulding County for the first time.

    Wellstar Paulding Medical Center’s new TrueBeam linear accelerator helps make cancer treatment more accessible to patients and brings a leading-edge cancer treatment called stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) to Paulding County for the first time. 

    Learn more about Wellstar Paulding Medical Center.

    Keep Reading

    Publications & Articles


    Illustration of hands holding heart. Wellstar and Lown Institute logos

    Lown Institute Recognizes Wellstar Among Most Charitable in the Country

    A report by the Lown Institute ranking the value of nonprofit hospitals’ community investment found that Wellstar Kennestone Regional Medical Center and Wellstar Cobb Medical Center are among the top 25 hospitals in the nation providing significantly more community benefit than they are receiving in tax exemption. 

    Wellstar Kennestone ranked No. 1 in Georgia, while Wellstar Cobb was No. 2. Wellstar is the only health system with two hospitals included on the national top 25 list.

    As the top provider of charity care in the state and one of the top 10 providers nationwide, Wellstar is committed to bringing expert, compassionate health services to those who need them. Last year alone, uncompensated and charity care at Wellstar exceeded $1.2 billion, providing care for at-risk and underserved communities across Georgia.

    In addition to Wellstar Kennestone and Wellstar Cobb, Wellstar Douglas Medical Center, Wellstar West Georgia Medical Center, Wellstar North Fulton Medical Center, Wellstar Paulding Medical Center and Wellstar Spalding Medical Center were recognized for spending more on financial assistance and community investment than the estimated value of their tax exemptions.

    Read the full report from the Lown Institute. 

    Keep reading
    Published on: June 2023
    An artistic representation of stroke experts inspecting a brain with a magnifying glass.

    Stroke prevention and the future of stroke care

    Republished with permission of the Atlanta Business Chronicle

    This article was originally published on Atlanta Business Chronicle on May 19, 2023.

    Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in the United States. The Georgia Department of Public Health reports the state had the 12th highest stroke death rate in the country. Georgia is also part of the “stroke belt,” an area of the southeastern United States with stroke death rates 30% higher than the rest of the nation.

    As the leading — but preventable — cause of disability, stroke can happen at any age.

    Stroke is a medical emergency, meaning the blood flow to an area of the brain is cut off, depriving brain tissue of oxygen and nutrients. When this happens, brain cells start to die and abilities controlled by that area of the brain, such as speech or muscle control, are lost.

    New drugs and new advanced treatments — such as the Tigertriever and Artemis — are helping reduce the death and disability impact of stroke, as well as comprehensive care programs and innovative hospital partnerships that expand stroke services into rural areas.

    Physicians from Wellstar Health System and the CEO of a hospital in northeast Georgia joined Atlanta Business Chronicle to discuss stroke prevention and the future of stroke care.

    Panelists & moderator

    • Dr. Rishi Gupta, Endovascular Neurologist and Co-Medical Director of Neuro Care
    • Dr. Ashis Tayal, Vascular Neurologist, Wellstar, Director of Neuro Care Network
    • Van Loskoski, CEO, Stephens County Hospital
    • David Rubinger, Market President & Publisher, Atlanta Business Chronicle; Moderator

    Pictured: headshots of the panel of experts from Wellstar Health System and the CEO from a rural Georgia hospital discussing advances in stroke care.

    What is stroke, screening and secondary prevention

    David Rubinger: Dr. Tayal, set the stage for us about the definition of stroke.

    Dr. Ashis Tayal: A stroke is a sudden injury of the brain due to blockage or rupture of an artery in the brain. Injuries to the brain and disability can vary significantly.

    The most common, ischemic stroke injury, is due to obstruction of an artery that causes a loss of blood flow to a critical part of the brain which damages the brain rapidly.

    The other type of stroke is hemorrhagic stroke, where there’s a rupture of an artery, bleeding into the brain, or the surfaces of the brain, and that is called an intracerebral hemorrhage or a subarachnoid hemorrhage.

    Rubinger: I think Americans have become a little better educated as to who’s at risk for stroke, but why don’t you walk us through that. Who would be a potential stroke candidate?

    Tayal: High blood pressure, or hypertension, is the most common risk factor for both ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes. High blood pressure is an extremely common but controllable condition. Almost 80% of people have hypertension as they’re getting older.

    Other risk factors include diabetes associated with elevated blood sugars causing accelerated blockage of arteries and high cholesterol, which can be related to diet and genetics.

    Atrial fibrillation, a common heart arrhythmia that occurs as people get older, also places people at risk for the most severe and disabling types of strokes. And plaque buildup in specific arteries of the neck and brain also leads to an increased risk of stroke.

    Smoking is another risk factor. Many adults still smoke despite a lot of progress in stroke treatment, and smoking puts people at risk for different types of stroke.

    Rubinger: What about atmospheric things like stress and other areas like that? How does that play into it? Or do those things manifest themselves because of the other underlying physical conditions?

    Tayal: I don’t view stress, in and of itself, as a risk factor for stroke. I think that’s more related to people’s environments and their own personalities and how they respond to stress. I do think people who are under undue stress can have poor lifestyle habits, and those poor lifestyle habits, whether poor eating habits, smoking, weight gain or lack of exercise, can lead to conditions that increase the risk for stroke.

    Rubinger: So how is the healthcare system doing treating strokes? Do you believe that what’s going on at the primary care provider’s office is helping or do we have a way to go?

    Tayal: In the United States, preventive care has improved the treatment of risk factors that lead to stroke, but communities must maintain routine checkups as many of the risk factors are silent.

    There are improved treatments for hypertension, more aggressive treatment for diabetes, and more efforts at smoking cessation. Just the fact that we treat hypertension better than we did a generation ago has had a great impact on lowering the prevalence of stroke.

    That being said, some of the most exciting work on stroke has often been done in the area of acute treatment of stroke with clot-busting drugs, catheter-based treatments and medications to protect the brain during an acute injury.

    Rubinger: Has pharmacology gotten better in terms of the hypertension medicines that are out there? Have anti-cholesterol medicines improved in recent years?

    Tayal: In the past, healthcare providers were often undertreating people with hyperlipidemia — high cholesterol — and not fully appreciating the benefits of significant reductions in cholesterol levels. For example, we’ve learned that driving cholesterol down into much lower ranges under 55 mg/dL can benefit our patients who have vascular disease as a cause for their stroke.

    In the fight against high cholesterol, newer medications that prevent the absorption of cholesterol are now available. Recent developments have led to the discovery of a new underutilized class of drugs called PCSK-9 inhibitors that are highly effective.

    Keep reading
    Published on: May 2023
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