Wellstar Health System and Stephens County Hospital announced today that they have reached an agreement for Stephens County Hospital and 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.

Stephens County Hospital is a longtime healthcare provider for Toccoa and surrounding North Georgia communities. The 96-bed acute care hospital has served patients and families throughout the region for nearly 90 years. Following regulatory approval, the hospital will become part of Wellstar.

Wellstar and Stephens County Hospital already share a strong relationship through their tele-stroke program collaboration, giving Stephens County community members access to advanced regional stroke and surgical capabilities. The agreement reflects a mutual commitment to providing seamless connectivity across care settings, and greater access to specialized clinical expertise and the resources required to meet the evolving healthcare needs of the community. 

In the last few years, Stephens County Hospital has expanded its surgical program, particularly in general surgery and orthopedics, which now features five operating rooms and two full-time orthopedic surgeons. The hospital also has built a tele-stroke program in partnership with Wellstar and has fortified its cardiovascular services.

The planned transaction demonstrates Wellstar’s continued momentum in thoughtfully expanding access to high-quality healthcare across Georgia by investing in strong community hospitals and connecting them to one of the Southeast’s leading health systems. It builds on Wellstar’s strategic growth across the state, enabling clinical expertise, advanced technology and best practices to be shared across communities while improving access to care closer to home.