Stephens County Hospital Prepares for a New Era with Wellstar

Stephens County Hospital is preparing for an important new chapter in its nearly 90-year history.

On September 2, Stephens County Hospital and Wellstar Health System announced that the two organizations have reached an agreement for Stephens County Hospital and its related entities to become part of Wellstar Health System. The transaction is expected to be completed toward the end of 2026, pending the conclusion of regulatory approvals.

For our hospital, this milestone is about building on a legacy that began in 1937 while creating new opportunities for the future of healthcare in Stephens County and the surrounding North Georgia communities.

For generations, Stephens County Hospital has been a trusted source of care close to home. Today, our hospital has 96 beds, nearly 500 employees, and a medical staff of nearly 200 physicians and advanced practice providers. While healthcare has changed tremendously over the years, our commitment to the people we serve has remained constant.

That same commitment has guided the hospital's growth in recent years.

Stephens County Hospital has strategically expanded surgical services, particularly in general surgery and orthopedics, and now has five operating rooms and two full-time orthopedic surgeons. We've strengthened cardiovascular services, expanded access to specialty care, and achieved important certifications and recognitions in areas including stroke, cardiac, and orthopedic care.

Our relationship with Wellstar isn't entirely new. Stephens County Hospital and Wellstar already work together through our tele-stroke program, connecting patients in our community with advanced stroke expertise when every second matters.

Becoming part of Wellstar will build upon that relationship and provide Stephens County Hospital with access to an even broader network of specialists and subspecialists, enhanced telehealth capabilities, advanced clinical expertise, and the resources of one of Georgia's largest integrated health systems.

"For generations, Stephens County Hospital has been a pillar of this community and a trusted healthcare provider for Toccoa, Stephens County, and surrounding North Georgia," said Stephens County Hospital CEO Van Loskoski. "By joining Wellstar, we believe we can build on our strong relationships with patients, families, and local physicians while expanding access to specialized services and investing in the hospital's long-term future, so more people can receive the right care, in the right place, at the right time."

Wellstar President and CEO Ketul K. Patel also emphasized the importance of building upon the foundation already established at Stephens County Hospital.

"For Stephens County Hospital to serve its community so well for nearly a century requires exceptional talent, deep community trust, and an unwavering commitment to its mission," Patel said. "We look forward to working together to build on the strong foundation already in place while creating new opportunities for the community through expanded access to specialized care, innovative services, and the strength of an integrated health system."

While this announcement represents an important step forward, nothing changes for patients today. Patients will continue to see the physicians, caregivers, and teams they know and trust and continue receiving care through Stephens County Hospital and our outpatient services.

Following regulatory approval, integration with Wellstar will take place through a thoughtful, phased process designed to maintain continuity for patients, clinicians, and team members.

As we look toward the future, we do so with tremendous respect for the history that brought us here. Stephens County Hospital has weathered change, adapted to the evolving needs of our community, and continued moving forward because of the dedication of our employees, physicians, community partners, and the generations of families who have trusted us with their care.

Joining Wellstar is an opportunity to strengthen that foundation while opening the door to additional resources, expertise, and possibilities for healthcare in our region.

Our name and organization may be entering a new chapter, but the heart of what we do remains the same: caring for our community and keeping high-quality healthcare close to home.

This is an exciting time for both organizations. We look forward to sharing more as we move through the regulatory process and toward this next chapter together.