Wellstar Kennestone Hospital: Complete Guide to Services, Location, and Patient Resources
When people across Cobb County and Metro Atlanta need serious medical care, Wellstar Kennestone Regional Medical Center is where they turn. Located at 677 Church Street NE in Marietta, Georgia, Kennestone is one of the largest and most recognized hospitals in the Southeast. Whether you are preparing for a scheduled procedure, visiting the emergency department, or managing ongoing care for a family member, understanding what this hospital offers, and how to navigate its services — makes a real difference.
This guide covers the hospital’s history, specialties, recent expansion, certifications, patient tools, and everything else you need before your first (or next) visit.
HISTORY AND BACKGROUND
Kennestone Hospital opened in June 1950 as a modest 105-bed facility in Marietta, Georgia. Its name comes from the land it was built on, where both Kennesaw Mountain and Stone Mountain were visible from the site.
The hospital grew steadily. By 1959, a new south wing pushed capacity to 300 beds. In June 1988, Kennestone made national medical history as the site of the first laparoscopic gallbladder removal ever performed in the United States. In 1993, Kennestone merged with five other facilities — Cobb, Douglas, Paulding, and others — to form what eventually became the Wellstar Health System.
Today, Wellstar Kennestone Regional Medical Center (the hospital’s current official name since its expansion into a regional hub) operates more than 630 inpatient beds and serves as a major tertiary-care hospital for northern and central Cobb County, as well as surrounding counties across Metro Atlanta and beyond.
LOCATION, CONTACT, AND PARKING
Address: 677 Church Street NE, Marietta, GA 30060
Phone: (770) 793-5000
Fax: (770) 793-7966
Website: wellstar.org
PARKING
The Blue Parking Deck is the primary patient and visitor parking structure, with direct access to the main hospital entrance and all services. It is located off Tower Road, accessible by turning onto Kennestone Hospital Boulevard. Golf cart shuttles run from both the Blue Deck and the Cancer Center Parking Deck to the hospital entrance daily from 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM.
HOSPITAL SIZE AND CAPACITY
Wellstar Kennestone is one of the largest hospitals in Metro Atlanta by multiple measures:
– 633 inpatient beds
– 166 Emergency Department beds across a 266,000-square-foot ED facility — the largest emergency department in Georgia and one of the largest in the United States
– More than 147,000 patients seen in the ED annually
– Over 2,500 trauma activations per year
– Ranked the 8th busiest emergency department in the country
LEVEL I TRAUMA CENTER
In May 2024, Wellstar Kennestone achieved Level I Trauma Center verification from the American College of Surgeons (ACS), along with official designation from the Georgia Department of Public Health State Office of EMS and Trauma. This made Kennestone only the second Level I Trauma Center in Metro Atlanta.
Level I is the gold standard for trauma care in the United States. To receive ACS verification, a hospital must demonstrate the highest level of trauma capability across the entire continuum of care — from injury prevention through acute treatment and long-term rehabilitation — along with active academic research programs that improve trauma outcomes.
At Kennestone, the trauma program includes:
– 24/7 in-house coverage across all major surgical specialties — neurosurgery, trauma surgery, cardiothoracic, vascular, and orthopedics
– A 12-bed resuscitation area dedicated to trauma, stroke, cardiac, and other critical patients
– 4 dedicated CT scanners and a dedicated MRI unit within the ED
– A separate high-acuity ambulance entrance for trauma cases
– Graduate medical education programs training residents in emergency medicine alongside the trauma team
EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT
The Kennestone Emergency Department is designed to handle volume and complexity at a scale most hospitals in the region cannot match.
Key features of the ED include:
– A 16-room full-service pediatric area with a separate sick and injured lobby, pediatric imaging suite, behavioral health capability, and isolation rooms. Separate ambulance and ambulatory entrances keep children away from adult trauma patients.
– A 12-bed psychiatric holding unit
– A 24-bed admission holding wing on the second floor
– An 84-bed main treatment area plus an EMS holding section
– Separate care zones organized by medical service, level of care, and patient age
– Design elements focused on reducing wait times, expediting discharges, and improving family experience
The ED at Kennestone sees patients across every age and acuity level, from pediatric emergencies to stroke and cardiac events requiring immediate intervention.
CARDIOVASCULAR AND CARDIAC SURGERY PROGRAM
Wellstar Kennestone holds some of the most competitive cardiac care credentials in the country.
Certifications and recognitions include:
– Comprehensive Cardiac Care Certification — the highest cardiac certification awarded jointly by The Joint Commission and the American Heart Association. Kennestone was the first hospital in Georgia to receive this designation.
– The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal Certification for coronary artery bypass, heart valve repair and replacement, and heart failure
– Three-star ratings — the highest possible category — from the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) in five areas: isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), aortic valve replacement (AVR), AVR combined with CABG, mitral valve repair and replacement, and multiprocedural cardiothoracic surgeries
The cardiac surgery team at Kennestone includes cardiac surgeons, cardiologists, anesthesiologists, intensivists, perfusionists, advanced practice providers, nurses, and technologists working in a closely integrated model designed for complex cases.
STROKE CENTER
Wellstar Kennestone holds Comprehensive Stroke Center certification — the highest stroke care designation available from The Joint Commission. This level of certification reflects the hospital’s ability to treat the most complex stroke cases, including those requiring advanced imaging, neurosurgical intervention, and intensive monitoring around the clock.
CANCER CARE
The Wellstar Kennestone Cancer Center is located at 340 Kennestone Hospital Boulevard, Marietta, GA 30060. The center uses advanced technology alongside research-backed treatment protocols to provide oncology care for patients across the region.
Cancer care at Kennestone spans medical oncology, radiation oncology, surgical oncology, and supportive care services — all accessible on or near the main hospital campus.
WOMEN’S HEALTH AND NICU (WELLSTAR KENNESTONE HOSPITAL)
Wellstar Kennestone serves a large and growing labor and delivery population. The hospital’s maternity services include labor and delivery units, postpartum care, and a neonatal intensive care unit.
As part of the new Yellow Tower expansion (detailed in the next section), Kennestone opened a next-generation 49-bed NICU designed specifically with mother-infant bonding in mind. The unit features intentional layouts that allow mothers to stay alongside their newborns, with safety measures built into every aspect of the design. Kennestone is described as the first hospital in the area to offer this specific care model.
A dedicated Women’s and Children’s entrance was also added as part of the tower.
THE NEW YELLOW TOWER — APRIL 2026 EXPANSION
The most significant recent development at Wellstar Kennestone is the opening of the Yellow Tower on April 15, 2026.
Key facts:
– Nine stories, approximately 300,000 square feet
– 235 total beds, including 151 new acute-care beds
– $400 million investment
– Two shell floors reserved for future expansion
– All adult inpatient rooms are private
The Yellow Tower was designed to address growing demand across four major service lines: cardiology, neurology, oncology, and surgery. Each has its own dedicated floor or unit within the tower.
New capabilities include:
– Expanded cardiac ICU and cardiac care floor
– A dedicated neurological care unit, bringing advanced brain and spine technology directly to more patients
– A medical oncology unit with expanded infusion capacity
– A dedicated surgical care floor
– A 49-bed NICU
– Smart-room technology: interactive digital whiteboards in every patient room, remote monitoring systems, and virtual nursing support for admissions, discharges, and documentation
The tower also includes new kitchen and servery space to support the expanded patient population.
IMAGING SERVICES
The Wellstar Kennestone Imaging Center at the 340 Building offers a full range of diagnostic imaging services, including but not limited to MRI, CT, X-ray, ultrasound, and nuclear medicine. Saturday appointments are available by appointment only.
Inside the main Emergency Department, four dedicated CT scanners and a dedicated MRI unit support around-the-clock imaging for emergency and trauma patients.
GRADUATE MEDICAL EDUCATION
Wellstar Kennestone operates one of the most active graduate medical education programs in the region. Residency and fellowship programs at the hospital cover:
– Emergency medicine
– Family medicine
– Internal medicine
– Obstetrics and gynecology
– General surgery
– Palliative care
The emergency medicine residency is particularly active, with residents running trauma cases as part of the trauma team, performing airways, chest tubes, and vascular access in collaboration with surgical colleagues.
ACCREDITATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS SUMMARY
For patients evaluating where to seek care, Kennestone’s full list of verified certifications and recognitions includes:
– ACS Level I Trauma Center (verified 2024) — only the second in Metro Atlanta
– Comprehensive Stroke Center — The Joint Commission
– Comprehensive Cardiac Care Certification — The Joint Commission and American Heart Association (first in Georgia)
– Gold Seal Certification for coronary artery bypass, heart valve repair/replacement, and heart failure — The Joint Commission
– Three-star STS ratings in five cardiothoracic surgery categories (highest possible)
– U.S. News & World Report recognition as one of the Best Hospitals in Georgia
– U.S. News & World Report national ranking in Adult Specialty Rehabilitation
– Ranked among the Top 100 hospitals in the country
– CMS recertification as of January 2026
INSURANCE ACCEPTED
Wellstar Kennestone accepts a broad range of insurance plans, including Medicare, Medicaid, Tricare, and most major commercial carriers. Wellstar Health System employees have access to a dedicated Wellstar Health insurance plan. Patients with questions about specific coverage should contact the hospital’s financial counseling team directly or consult the pricing transparency tools available through wellstar.org.
PATIENT PORTAL — WELLSTAR MYCHART
One of the most important tools for Kennestone patients is the Wellstar MyChart patient portal. MyChart is powered by Epic, the same electronic health records platform used by many of the nation’s leading health systems.
Through Wellstar MyChart, patients can:
– View lab results and test outcomes as soon as they are available
– Schedule and cancel appointments online
– Message their care team securely
– Request prescription refills
– Pay medical bills
– Access after-visit summaries
– Manage health information for children or dependents using proxy access
– Participate in video visits with providers
– Manage chronic disease information and view care plans on file
MyChart accounts are accessible through the web at mychart.wellstar.org or through the MyChart mobile app, available for both iPhone and Android. Patients can also connect health records from outside Wellstar if their other providers also use Epic’s platform.
To learn more about accessing and using the Wellstar patient portal, visit our full guide on Wellstar MyChart.
WELLSTAR SMART SQUARE — FOR EMPLOYEES AND STAFF
Wellstar Kennestone is one of the largest employers in Cobb County. For staff working at the hospital, Wellstar Smart Square is the workforce management and scheduling platform used across the Wellstar Health System.
Smart Square allows Wellstar employees to:
– View their work schedules
– Request time off
– Pick up open shifts
– Manage shift preferences
Employees access Smart Square at wellstar.smart-square.com using their Wellstar employee ID and password. The platform is separate from MyChart and is designed for staff rather than patients.
If you are a Wellstar employee looking for help with scheduling or time-off requests at Kennestone, visit our detailed guide on Wellstar Smart Square.
VISITOR INFORMATION AND SUPPORT SERVICES
Wellstar Kennestone offers a range of support services for patients and their families, including:
– Retail pharmacy located on the main floor (second floor). Patients entering through the Blue Tower can find it behind the main security desk.
– Support groups for cancer patients, cardiac patients, and others — accessible through the Wellstar events and community programs calendar
– Golf cart transportation from parking decks to the hospital entrance from 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM daily
– A PeopleCare Advisory Program that incorporates patient and family perspectives into hospital operations
For spiritual care, social work, or additional patient support resources, staff at the main entrance can direct visitors to the appropriate services.
HOW TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT
Patients can schedule appointments at Wellstar Kennestone through several channels:
1. Online through Wellstar MyChart at mychart.wellstar.org
2. By calling (770) 956-7827 (STAR), available Monday through Friday, 7:00 AM to 4:30 PM
3. By calling the hospital main line at (770) 793-5000
4. Through virtual visits for qualifying services
For referrals, providers can submit patient transfers or referrals through the Wellstar transfer center or by using the referral portal available through wellstar.org.
WELLSTAR HEALTH SYSTEM CONTEXT
Wellstar Kennestone operates as part of Wellstar Health System, a not-for-profit health system headquartered in Georgia. Wellstar is one of the largest health systems in the state, with hospitals, medical offices, urgent care centers, and specialty clinics spread across Metro Atlanta and beyond.
Kennestone serves as a flagship hospital within this system, functioning as a tertiary-care and quaternary-care referral destination for complex cases that smaller community hospitals in the Wellstar network may transfer to Marietta for advanced treatment.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
CONCLUSION
Wellstar Kennestone Regional Medical Center has grown from a 105-bed community hospital in 1950 into one of the most capable acute care facilities in the Southeast. Its Level I Trauma certification, nationally ranked cardiac surgery program, comprehensive stroke care, and the newly opened Yellow Tower place it in a category that few hospitals in Georgia can match.
For patients, the most important steps are understanding which services are available, how to find the right entrance or department, and how to use tools like Wellstar MyChart to stay connected with your care team before, during, and after a visit. For Wellstar employees working at Kennestone, Smart Square remains the go-to platform for managing your schedule.
Whether you are a first-time visitor, a regular patient, or a family member navigating care on behalf of a loved one, Wellstar Kennestone has the depth of services and the access tools to support you through it.
For help accessing your records and appointments, visit our complete guide on Wellstar MyChart.
For Wellstar employees managing schedules at Kennestone, see our full guide on Wellstar Smart Square.