Wellstar Kennestone Regional Medical Center

Wellstar Kennestone Regional Medical Center, located in the heart of Marietta, Georgia, stands as a flagship hospital within the extensive and highly regarded Wellstar Health System, one of the largest and most integrated healthcare networks in Georgia. With a long-standing and proud history of serving the community, Wellstar Kennestone is deeply dedicated to providing high-quality, compassionate, and comprehensive medical care to residents across northern and central Cobb County and surrounding areas. The hospital is particularly recognized for its robust maternity services, including a state-of-the-art Level III NICU, its unwavering commitment to a family-centered approach to care, and its dedication to providing extensive educational resources for expectant and new parents. As a major regional medical center, Wellstar Kennestone seamlessly combines advanced technology, a broad range of specialized services, and a dedicated team of healthcare professionals to support the health and wellness of families from the very beginning of life through all subsequent stages.

Strategically located at 677 Church Street NE, Marietta, GA 30060 (Source: Wellstar Contact Us – Customer Concerns), Wellstar Kennestone Regional Medical Center serves as a central and easily accessible healthcare hub for the Marietta area and beyond. The hospital’s mission extends significantly beyond providing acute clinical treatment; it is deeply involved in community outreach and education initiatives, emphasizing preventive care strategies and promoting overall community health. The information presented in this detailed essay is meticulously compiled from a variety of publicly available sources, including the official Wellstar Health System website, relevant news reports, and reputable healthcare databases, offering an in-depth and comprehensive look at the hospital’s historical development, its specialized services tailored for women and children, and its integral and vital role within the community it serves.

Wellstar Kennestone Regional Medical Center has a rich and dynamic history dating back to its opening in June 1950 as a 105-bed facility (Source: Wikipedia). Named for the prominent Kennesaw Mountain and Stone Mountain visible from its original location, the hospital quickly grew in response to the increasing healthcare needs of the expanding community. Significant expansions over the subsequent decades, including increasing its bed capacity to over 630, have transformed it into a major regional medical center capable of handling a high volume of complex cases.

A key moment in its history was the strategic merger in 1993 with five other healthcare facilities to form the Northwest Georgia Health System, which later evolved into the comprehensive WellStar Health System in 1998 (subsequently rebranded as Wellstar Health System in 2022) (Source: Wikipedia). This integration into the Wellstar network has been instrumental in providing Wellstar Kennestone with enhanced resources, a broader network of medical specialists across various disciplines, and a system-wide commitment to quality improvement and innovation in healthcare delivery.

Wellstar Kennestone has been at the forefront of medical advancements, notably hosting the nation’s first laparoscopic gallbladder removal in 1988 (Source: Wikipedia). The hospital has also significantly expanded its emergency services, opening a new, large Emergency Department in 2020, which is recognized as one of the largest in the United States (Source: Wikipedia). Wellstar Kennestone is currently recognized as an ACS-verified Level I Trauma Center, a Comprehensive Cardiac Center, and a Level I/Comprehensive Stroke Center (Source: Wikipedia). These prestigious designations highlight its advanced capabilities in handling the most complex and critical medical cases, providing a high level of specialized care to the community. The hospital is also a key teaching site for graduate medical education programs, including Obstetrics and Gynecology, contributing significantly to the training and development of future physicians (Source: Valdosta Today).

Wellstar Kennestone Regional Medical Center offers comprehensive maternity services, providing a full spectrum of care to support expectant mothers and their families throughout the entire journey from prenatal care through labor and delivery and into the vital postpartum period (Source: Wellstar Website – Maternity). The hospital is deeply committed to providing a safe, comfortable, and supportive environment for childbirth, emphasizing a family-centered maternity care model that involves the entire family unit.

The hospital’s maternity services include personalized support and medical monitoring throughout pregnancy. Obstetricians and healthcare providers within the Wellstar network ensure that expectant mothers receive the necessary information, guidance, and medical care to support a healthy pregnancy and prepare for the arrival of their child (Source: Wellstar Website – Labor and Delivery).

During labor and delivery, Wellstar Kennestone is dedicated to providing a patient-centered experience. The hospital supports various birthing preferences and actively works with families to create personalized care plans that align with their wishes (Source: Wellstar Birth Preferences PDF). The birthing suites are designed for comfort and privacy, offering a serene environment for labor and delivery. These rooms are equipped with amenities and technology to support various laboring positions, and all Labor and Delivery and Mother/Baby rooms are private, offering comfortable sleeping accommodations for a designated support person to stay overnight (Source: Wellstar Labor and Delivery FAQ PDF – Note: This source is for Wellstar Douglas but describes practices common to Wellstar maternity units.). The hospital strongly encourages practices like immediate skin-to-skin contact after delivery, which is vital for promoting bonding and has numerous benefits for both mother and baby (Source: Wellstar Labor and Delivery FAQ PDF).

Postpartum care at Wellstar Kennestone is a critical component of the comprehensive services, focusing on the recovery and well-being of the mother and the health of the newborn. The hospital provides dedicated support for new mothers, including access to certified lactation consultants who offer expert guidance and hands-on assistance with breastfeeding, helping to establish successful feeding routines (Source: Wellstar Spalding Virtual Maternity Tour – YouTube – describes lactation support within Wellstar). The hospital also actively supports “rooming in,” where the baby stays in the room with the mother throughout the hospital stay, unless specialized care in the NICU is required (Source: Wellstar Labor and Delivery FAQ PDF). This practice enhances bonding and allows parents to learn newborn care skills with the support of nursing staff.

Wellstar Kennestone Regional Medical Center is equipped with a state-of-the-art Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) (Source: Wellstar Website – Neonatology, Source: Neonatology Solutions – Georgia NICUs). A Level III NICU is a specialized and advanced unit capable of providing comprehensive care for high-risk and premature newborns who require intensive medical attention. This includes infants born with critical illnesses, significant prematurity, or those needing advanced life support, complex medical management, and continuous, specialized monitoring by a highly trained team.

The Level III NICU at Wellstar Kennestone is staffed by a dedicated team of healthcare professionals with extensive specialized training and expertise in neonatal care. This team typically includes experienced neonatologists, who are pediatricians with advanced training in the care of sick and premature infants, along with highly skilled neonatal nurses, respiratory therapists, and other specialists such as feeding therapists and pharmacists. The unit is equipped with advanced technology and specialized equipment necessary to nurture and support the smallest and most critical babies, providing interventions like advanced respiratory support and specialized feeding techniques (Source: Wellstar Website – Neonatology).

Wellstar’s neonatology services are part of a broader, integrated network within the health system (Source: Wellstar Website – Neonatology, Source: Wellstar Website – Neonatology at Wellstar Children’s Hospital of Georgia). While Wellstar Kennestone provides Level III NICU care, the system ensures that infants requiring the highest level of care (Level IV) have access to appropriate facilities within the network or through established affiliations, such as with Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. This integrated approach ensures that every infant receives the optimal level of specialized care tailored to their specific needs, with the ability for safe and seamless transfers for higher-level care if required. The focus in the NICU is not solely on providing advanced medical treatment but also on providing crucial support to the family during what is often a very stressful and challenging time, actively encouraging parental involvement and facilitating bonding with their fragile newborn.

Wellstar Kennestone Regional Medical Center is deeply committed to empowering families with the knowledge and resources they need to feel confident and prepared for childbirth and the arrival of their newborn. The hospital offers a variety of extensive educational resources, including childbirth education classes and virtual maternity tours.

Childbirth education classes are readily available to help expectant parents understand the physiological process of labor and delivery, learn effective coping mechanisms for pain management, and prepare for the physical and emotional aspects of birth (Source: Wellstar Website – Maternity). These classes cover a wide range of topics, such as recognizing the signs of labor, exploring various pain management options (both medicated and unmedicated), understanding potential medical interventions, and knowing what to expect during their hospital stay.

Virtual maternity tours are offered to allow families the opportunity to see the birthing facilities, including the labor and delivery rooms and the postpartum unit, from the comfort and convenience of their homes (Source: Wellstar Event Calendar – Kennestone Hospital Birthing Center Tour, Source: Wellstar Spalding Virtual Maternity Tour – YouTube). These tours help familiarize parents with the hospital environment, reducing anxiety and increasing comfort levels prior to the big day. Wellstar also provides a variety of online educational resources and tools to further support parents throughout their pregnancy and the early newborn period (Source: Wellstar Website – Labor and Delivery).

Wellstar Kennestone Regional Medical Center offers comprehensive women’s health services, addressing the diverse and changing healthcare needs of women throughout all stages of life, from adolescence through menopause and beyond. These services extend beyond maternity and include essential preventive care, advanced diagnostic imaging, and specialized treatment for a wide range of gynecological conditions.

Wellstar provides access to experienced physicians and specialists within the Wellstar network who offer a full range of gynecology services. This includes routine annual well-woman exams, which are crucial for preventive care and early detection, Pap smears for cervical cancer screening, clinical breast exams, and contraception counseling to help women make informed choices about family planning (Source: Wellstar Website – Women’s Health). The hospital also offers diagnosis and treatment for various common and complex gynecological conditions, such as fibroids, abnormal bleeding, pelvic health issues, and menopausal symptoms.

Wellstar Kennestone is part of a system that offers advanced surgical options for gynecological procedures, including minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery and robotic surgery, which can lead to benefits like reduced pain, shorter recovery times, and smaller scars (Source: Wellstar Website – Women’s Health). Diagnostic imaging services, such as mammography (including 3D mammography), ultrasound, and bone density testing, are also available to support women’s health needs, particularly for breast cancer screening, diagnosis, and the assessment of bone health.

Wellstar Kennestone Regional Medical Center contributes significantly to the health and wellness of the pediatric age group within the community. While Wellstar Health System maintains a strong collaboration with Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta (CHOA) for highly specialized pediatric care and complex conditions (Source: Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta), Wellstar Kennestone provides essential care for children, particularly in emergency situations, through its dedicated inpatient pediatric unit, and through its Level III NICU.

Wellstar Kennestone has a dedicated inpatient pediatric unit staffed 24/7 exclusively by pediatric-trained caregivers, including pediatric hospitalists, pediatric nurses, pediatric respiratory therapists, and a dedicated pediatric pharmacist (Source: Wellstar Website – Wellstar Kennestone Pediatric Unit). This unit is designed to be child-friendly and provides care for a range of pediatric illnesses and injuries that require hospitalization. As a Level I Trauma Center, Wellstar Kennestone is equipped to provide critical care for severely injured children.

Wellstar Health System has an extensive network of primary pediatric care providers throughout the region. Families in the Marietta area can access pediatric primary care through affiliated practices within the Wellstar network, which provide routine well-child check-ups, vaccinations, developmental screenings, and care for common childhood illnesses, supporting overall child health and development. The collaboration with CHOA ensures that children requiring highly specialized care have access to leading pediatric experts and advanced treatment options within the larger network (Source: Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta – Children’s Physician Group).

Wellstar Kennestone Regional Medical Center is deeply dedicated to providing a positive, comfortable, and supportive experience for all patients and their families. This commitment is particularly evident in its efforts to enhance the healthcare experience for those receiving maternity, pediatric, and women’s health services through a variety of patient-centered amenities and support services.

For maternity patients, the focus on comfort and support is clearly demonstrated in the design of the birthing suites and the availability of private rooms in the Mother-Baby unit with accommodations for a support person. The emphasis on family-centered care extends to actively encouraging the partner’s involvement and supporting bonding with the newborn. Resources like lactation consultants and educational classes further contribute to a supportive environment for new parents.

General patient amenities at Wellstar Kennestone contribute to a comfortable and less stressful hospital stay. These typically include access to various dining options, gift shops, and spiritual health services with on-call chaplains and quiet spaces for reflection (Source: Wellstar Website – Support & Entertainment). Wellstar also offers valuable services like Child Life Specialists, who are trained to provide emotional and developmental support for children who are in the hospital, helping them cope with their healthcare experience (Source: Wellstar Website – Support & Entertainment).

Wellstar Health System utilizes the MyChart patient portal, providing patients with secure online access to their medical records, convenient appointment scheduling, and direct communication with their care team (Source: Wellstar Contact Us). This digital tool enhances convenience and promotes active patient engagement in their healthcare journey. The hospital also provides clear resources regarding billing procedures, insurance coverage, and financial assistance programs to help patients navigate the financial aspects of care (Source: Wellstar Website – Billing and Insurance).

Wellstar Kennestone Regional Medical Center is actively and deeply engaged in community outreach and education initiatives aimed at promoting health and wellness in the Marietta area and across its broader service region. As a major hospital within the Wellstar Health System, it is strongly committed to serving the broader community through various impactful programs and strategic partnerships.

Wellstar is committed to being an engaged community partner, actively addressing identified health needs and promoting preventive care strategies (Source: Wellstar Community Outreach). This includes providing valuable health education and awareness programs on important health topics relevant to the community (Source: Wellstar Community Outreach). The hospital offers classes and events, including those specifically focused on childbirth and parenting, directly supporting families during crucial life transitions (Source: Wellstar Event Calendar).

Wellstar also engages in strategic partnerships with other non-profit organizations and actively supports initiatives focused on workforce development in healthcare, contributing to the future of healthcare delivery in the region. These efforts demonstrate Wellstar’s deep and ongoing commitment to investing in the future health and wellness of the communities it serves, extending its positive impact beyond the walls of the hospital.

Patient feedback offers valuable qualitative insights into the quality of care and patient experience at Wellstar Kennestone Regional Medical Center, particularly concerning maternity services and maternal-fetal medicine. Online reviews and testimonials from patients provide perspectives on their personal experiences.

Reviews for physicians practicing maternal-fetal medicine within Wellstar, including those who may work at Kennestone, often highlight the compassionate, knowledgeable, and supportive care received, particularly in managing complex pregnancies (Source: Wellstar Physician Reviews – Nicholas Tinker, MD). Patients have expressed feeling listened to, well-cared for, and having their concerns addressed, which is crucial for a positive patient experience, especially during high-risk pregnancies. Feedback on patient satisfaction surveys for Wellstar Kennestone Regional Medical Center indicates performance on measures such as communication with nurses and doctors and the cleanliness of facilities (Source: Medicare Care Compare).

These testimonials, while representing individual experiences, contribute to the overall understanding of the patient journey at Wellstar Kennestone and highlight the aspects of care that are most impactful for families, particularly during the childbirth experience and when receiving specialized maternal care.

Wellstar Kennestone Regional Medical Center is committed to ensuring convenient access to its services in Marietta.

The hospital is located at:

677 Church Street NE, Marietta, GA 30060 (Source: Wellstar Contact Us – Customer Concerns, Source: Wikipedia)

For general inquiries or to contact Wellstar Kennestone Regional Medical Center, the main phone number is (770) 793-5171 (Source: Wellstar Contact Us – Customer Concerns). The Wellstar Health System phone number for appointments and information is (770) 956-STAR (7827) (Source: Wellstar Website – Labor and Delivery).

The official website for Wellstar Health System, www.wellstar.org, provides comprehensive information about Wellstar Kennestone Regional Medical Center, its services, physicians, and patient resources.

Information regarding billing procedures, accepted insurance coverage, and financial assistance programs is readily available through the Wellstar website (Learn More: Wellstar Website – Billing and Insurance). Wellstar works with most major insurance carriers and offers financial assistance for eligible patients. Billing inquiries can be directed through the Wellstar system’s contact channels.

Wellstar Kennestone Regional Medical Center stands as a leading, comprehensive, and vital regional medical center in Marietta, GA, providing exceptional maternity services, specialized newborn care, and extensive women’s health programs. Its offering of comprehensive maternity services from prenatal to postpartum care, including labor and delivery services, highlights its deep commitment to supporting families throughout the childbirth journey with a family-centered approach. Equipped with a Level III NICU, the hospital is capable of providing advanced and specialized care for high-risk and premature newborns with cutting-edge technology and a dedicated team of specialized staff.

The hospital’s strong emphasis on family-centered care, personalized care plans, and support for various birthing preferences underscores its dedication to a patient-centered approach that respects individual choices. The provision of extensive educational resources, including childbirth education classes and virtual maternity tours, further empowers families and prepares them for the arrival of their baby and the transition to parenthood.

Through its comprehensive women’s health services, dedicated inpatient pediatric unit, access to broader pediatric expertise within the Wellstar network and through affiliations, patient-centered amenities, and active community engagement, Wellstar Kennestone Regional Medical Center demonstrates a deep and unwavering commitment to the health and wellness of the families it serves. It is a valuable and essential resource for healthcare in the Marietta area, dedicated to providing high-quality, compassionate care and nurturing healthy futures for the community.