ATLANTA — When Wellstar Atlanta Medical Center closed its doors, it left a gap in the healthcare system for the metro Atlanta community. Now, a multi-million dollar investment will improve healthcare access in the area.
On Wednesday, federal and local leaders at Emory Hillandale Hospital in Stonecrest toured the facility's $12 million upgrades.
"When Wellstar closed, it was a traumatic moment that precipitated a major healthcare crisis across metro Atlanta… many cursed the decision," said DeKalb CEO Michael Thurmond.
The funds came from the Biden Administration American Rescue Plan, and they will help renovate the emergency room, ICU and other upgrades to increase care for several patients.
Congressman Hank Johnson said the latest upgrades at the hospital will help care for South DeKalb and nearby counties.
"We’re finding that people are coming from all over south of I-20," said Johnson.
Last year, the hospital served around 62,000 patients in its emergency room, which is a 5% increase over the previous year. In-patient admissions also increased to 6%.
Although the hospital is seeing an increase in patients, wait times are still down thanks to the new upgrades, according to leaders.
"You’ll hear the hospital staff—everyone from the triage all the way up to the surgeon—say that we’ve seen that influx of patients… so there’s nothing else that we can do other than step up to the plate," Stonecrest Mayor Jazzmin Cobble said. "It’s all about making sure the work we’re doing for the community gets to the community."
DeKalb County leaders also announced that $1 million will be used to start a new violence prevention program at the hospital. The program will officially launch later this year.