The huge new Wellstar Kennestone Hospital Emergency Department had its virtual ribbon-cutting ceremony Thursday afternoon.
Governor Brian Kemp was on hand to deliver remarks and take part in the cutting of the ribbon.
In an introductory video prior to the ceremony, Mary Chatman, PhD, RN and president of Wellstar Kennestone Hospital, said, “We’ll be opening our doors to a brand new high tech high touch emergency department that takes us from an emergency department space of about 55,000 square feet to 263,000 square feet that is being dedicated to caring for the patient.”
In opening the ceremony, Candace Saunders, the President and CEO of Wellstar Health System, said, “Whether you’re here with us in person or online, we thank you for joining us for this so so so important day.”
“We’re especially honored to have in person with us, Governor Brian Kemp and First Lady of Georgia Marty Kemp.” she said. “Thank you for joining us. It means a lot for you to be here as we celebrate this important milestone for Wellstar health system and our community.”
“We want to thank you for your support through all these very, very trying times,” she said. “And it’s meant a lot to us to have your ear and to listen but also to problem solve, as we continue to meet the needs of our community for important healthcare services.”
“This day, has been in the works for many years,” Saunders said.
“I joined the Wellstar Team in 2007 and we began the journey of the assessment and the planning for this important new service for our patients, our families, and our community, this new Wellstar Kennestone hospital emergency department,” Saunders said. “I stand in front of you with a mix of joy, pride, but most importantly, gratitude. It just almost overwhelms me that we’re here today to open up this facility.”
Gov. Kemp said, “Marty and I are honored to be here with you today. This is a great occasion, and we wish you all the best. We know you’re going to do a great job and serve your community well with this new facility for many years into the future. Thank you very much.”
The ribbon was cut by Saunders, flanked by Otis Brumby III, Chairman of the Wellstar Board of Trustees, Marty and Brian Kemp, and Chatman.
More about the new Emergency Department
The facility will include dedicated isolation and decontamination rooms that can be used for patients who arrive at the ED with an infectious disease, behavioral health, or chemical contamination issue and multiple entrances for different levels of patient severity.
It will also offer a dedicated pediatric ED, with “many industry-leading features and processes, the new ED dramatically enhances access for Georgians to vital healthcare needs and will be a model for best practices in emergency services, both for the region and nationally,” according to an earlier press release.
About Wellstar Kennestone Hospital
According to the Wellstar Kennestone Hospital website:
Founded in 1950, Wellstar Kennestone Hospital is a 633-bed hospital, anchoring the regional medical center located in Marietta, Georgia, and is part of the nationally recognized non-profit Wellstar Health System.
