Wellstar Expands Leadership in Stroke and Neuro Care in Georgia

People in Northeast Georgia with brain and health concerns, including complex strokes and aneurysms, now have the most advanced, life-saving treatments available, close to home.

Wellstar Health System, one of Georgia's largest and most integrated healthcare systems, announced today that Wellstar North Fulton Hospital now offers the highest level of services to patients who suffer life-threatening or disability-causing blockages, as well as weakened walls of the blood vessels in the brain.

Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in the United States, with a stroke occurring every 40 seconds, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In addition, strokes are the leading cause of long-term disability for Americans. However, those who are treated emergently with thrombolytics or thrombectomy suffer less disability and have a higher chance of returning home and to normal function.

Expert Stroke Care

Modeled after the leading program at Wellstar Kennestone Hospital’s certified Comprehensive Stroke Center, Wellstar North Fulton’s team of neurosurgeons, neurocritical care physicians, and neuroradiologists now perform thrombectomies, aneurysm treatments, and cerebral bypass procedures at the Roswell-based hospital. According to the Department of Public Health, there are only four other certified Comprehensive Stroke Centers in Georgia, with Wellstar being the largest hospital network in Georgia with multiple stroke centers certified by The Joint Commission.

“According to our projections, North Fulton and our surrounding area expect a significant increase in stroke rates during the next five years,” said Jon-Paul Croom, president, Wellstar North Fulton Hospital, and senior vice president, Wellstar Health System. “Wellstar continues to enhance our service offerings to provide the highest level of care possible to the communities we serve. Offering advanced neuroendovascular services is one more example of how we are doing just that.”

State-of-the-art Neuro Care Services

Having the ability to treat stroke and aneurysm patients with thrombectomies and other advanced treatments requires a high level of technology, as well as specialty-trained medical staff. Wellstar invested roughly $6 million into a neurointerventional bi-plane image-guided therapy system, dedicated Neuro Intensive Care, and Critical Care Units, as well as specialized neuro-trained nurses and support staff. Of the total investment, the Wellstar Foundation – through the generosity of donors providing vital support to the not-for-profit system – provided $1 million to help finance the bi-plane technology. To provide the most advanced and innovative care, Wellstar North Fulton’s team of physicians are fellowship-trained and highly experienced in treating patients with these complex and sometimes rare conditions.

“When someone experiences a severe stroke, aneurysm or brain injury, rapid access to cerebrovascular and neurocritical care expertise can mean the difference between life, death, or disability,” said Dr. Benjamin Zussman, endovascular-trained neurosurgeon at Wellstar North Fulton Hospital. “By offering these services at Wellstar North Fulton, we are saving patients in Northeast Georgia precious travel time by offering world-class, comprehensive critical stroke care right here in our community.”

In addition to now offering these comprehensive stroke services, Wellstar North Fulton is a designated Level II Trauma Center and Level II Cardiac Care Center, showcasing the hospital’s expertise and ability to treat some of the area’s sickest and most injured patients. It was also recently named to Newsweek’s Best Maternity Hospitals 2020. For more information about Wellstar North Fulton’s new Neuro Care services, please visit Wellstar.org/NorthFultonNeuro.

About Wellstar Health System

At Wellstar, people are at the center of everything we do. By listening actively to what people want, need and expect from their healthcare, Wellstar is able to provide “More than Healthcare. PeopleCare.” — at every age and stage. Nationally ranked and locally recognized for our personal, high-quality care, inclusive culture, and exceptional doctors and team members, Wellstar provides access to compassionate, high-quality care through our: 11 hospitals; 300+ medical office locations; 9 cancer centers; 74 rehabilitation centers; 3 hospice facilities; 1 retirement village; 29 imaging centers; 16 urgent care locations; and 5 health parks. As one of the largest and most integrated healthcare systems in Georgia, Wellstar is growing our services, footprint, capabilities, and ability to meet evolving patient needs. Our passion for people extends into the communities we serve. As a not-for-profit health system, we thoughtfully reinvest annually in prevention and wellness programs, as well as charity care for eligible patients. Our Wellstar Foundation also supports our mission to enhance the health and well-being of every person we serve with funding for equipment, services, and programs that provide more than healthcare. To learn more about how Wellstar is always listening, learning, and tailoring care to meet patients’ individual needs, visit Wellstar.org.