Frequently Asked Questions

Wellstar has entered into an agreement to acquire Mountain Lakes Medical Center (MLMC) in Clayton, Georgia. Through this acquisition, MLMC would become part of Wellstar Health System, and the hospital will become Wellstar Mountain Lakes Medical Center.

Wellstar is acquiring MLMC because they see tremendous opportunity in the hospital, the team members and clinicians who serve this community, and the important role MLMC plays in northeast Georgia. They have built a strong foundation of high-quality, community-centered care, and Wellstar believes this transaction creates an opportunity to build on that success for the long term. By bringing together MLMC’s local relationships and trusted care with Wellstar’s clinical expertise, technology capabilities and broader network of specialists and advanced clinical programs, we expand access to expertise, technology and specialty resources for patients, clinicians and communities while keeping care close to home whenever possible.

Healthcare organizations across the country continue to face growing operational complexity, workforce challenges, infrastructure demands and increasing technology needs. Wellstar and MLMC believe that community hospitals are strongest when supported by the scale and resources of an integrated health system while continuing to maintain local care and community relationships. This transaction positions MLMC for long-term stability and growth while preserving local healthcare access.

The transaction is expected to occur on August 1, pending regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions. Nothing changes today.

Yes. Wellstar will continue to operate Mountain Lakes Medical Center and maintain access to local healthcare services for the community.

Financial terms of the transaction are not being publicly disclosed. As part of Wellstar, MLMC will have access to the resources, expertise and support of one of the Southeast’s leading health systems, and Wellstar will evaluate future opportunities to invest in infrastructure, technology, equipment and clinical services over time.

Upon closing, the hospital will become Wellstar Mountain Lakes Medical Center and join Wellstar’s integrated network of hospitals, clinicians and care resources across Georgia.

MLMC is already an important healthcare resource for Rabun County and the region. This acquisition creates an opportunity to build on that strong foundation by connecting patients, clinicians and communities to the expertise, technology and resources of one of the Southeast’s leading health systems. Wellstar sees MLMC as uniquely positioned to play an even larger role in expanding access to care across northeast Georgia and the surrounding region while helping patients receive more of the care they need close to home. Through greater connectivity to specialists, advanced clinical programs and Wellstar’s Digital Care Network, patients and clinicians will benefit from enhanced access, coordination and support for years to come.

MLMC is already a modern, state-of-the-art facility with a strong foundation for future growth. Wellstar will evaluate opportunities to invest in infrastructure, technology, equipment, clinical services and other resources that can help expand access to care and support the long-term future of healthcare in the region.

Wellstar intends to continue providing essential inpatient and outpatient services currently available at MLMC while evaluating opportunities to strengthen and expand services over time.

Yes. Patients will continue to receive care locally from the clinicians and care teams they know and trust. One of the goals of this acquisition is to help patients receive as much of their care as possible close to home while creating easier access to specialists, advanced clinical programs and additional healthcare resources when needed.

Yes. Over time, patients and clinicians will benefit from access to one of the Southeast’s largest networks of specialists, subspecialists and clinical programs. Through Wellstar’s Digital Care Network, local care teams will be able to connect with experts across the system in real time, helping accelerate diagnosis, treatment planning and access to advanced care when needed. By connecting MLMC to Wellstar’s broader clinical ecosystem, patients will be able to access specialty services and advanced treatment more seamlessly than ever before while continuing to receive care from the trusted providers and care teams they know close to home.

Team members remain critically important to the future success of MLMC and the care provided to this community. This acquisition creates opportunities to bring new capabilities, technology and clinical resources to MLMC while supporting the hospital’s growing role in northeast Georgia. Wellstar is committed to supporting team members throughout the transition process and communicating openly every step of the way.

Wellstar chose MLMC because of the strong foundation that already exists here. They have built a reputation for high-quality, community-centered care, strong local leadership and deep community relationships. Wellstar sees tremendous opportunity in this hospital, its team members and clinicians, and the important role MLMC plays in serving Rabun County and northeast Georgia.

Wellstar believes MLMC is one of the most exciting healthcare opportunities in the region. The hospital serves an important role in northeast Georgia and has built a strong foundation of care, trust and community connection. Wellstar sees significant opportunity to build on that success and help connect more patients and communities to the resources of a leading health system.

Upon closing, MLMC members will become Wellstar employees. Wellstar intends to retain all current MLMC team members and does not expect any reductions as part of this transaction.

Upon closing, MLMC members will become Wellstar employees. Wellstar intends to retain all current MLMC team members and does not expect any reductions as part of this transaction.

Wellstar benefits include medical coverage, retirement benefits, career development resources, continuing education support and additional well-being resources. More detailed information will be shared before transition activities occur.

Yes. Planning is underway to transition team members into Wellstar HR and payroll systems. Current planning anticipates bringing team members into Workday for HR and payroll functions on August 1.

Your current paid time off balance will carry over as you join Wellstar. You will not lose any accrued PTO.

Team members may be asked to complete standard Wellstar onboarding, training and compliance activities as part of the transition process.

Yes. Becoming part of Wellstar may create access to additional career development, educational and advancement opportunities across the health system.

No staffing reductions are planned as part of this transaction. Wellstar’s focus is on ensuring operational continuity, supporting team members and maintaining high-quality patient care.

Existing systems, including TruBridge, will remain in place at closing to support continuity for patients and team members. Over time, Wellstar intends to bring the benefits of Epic and other Wellstar technology capabilities to MLMC through a phased implementation approach, helping improve connectivity, care coordination and access to resources across the system.

Team members will receive regular updates, FAQs and leadership communications. There will be several opportunities to ask questions throughout the transition process and learn about employment with Wellstar. Please check the “What’s Next” section for upcoming benefits session dates.

Wellstar’s Digital Care Network connects clinicians across the health system with specialists, subspecialists and advanced clinical programs in real time. This helps patients gain access to expert consultation and coordinated care while continuing to receive care close to home.

Team members should reassure patients that they will continue receiving care from the providers and care teams they know and trust. Over time, patients may benefit from expanded access to specialists, advanced clinical programs, digital capabilities and additional healthcare resources through Wellstar while continuing to receive care close to home.

Wellstar intends to work collaboratively with employed and independent clinicians to ensure continuity of care while creating new opportunities for collaboration, connectivity and clinical support. Over time, clinicians will gain access to Wellstar’s broader network of specialists, advanced clinical programs, technology resources and systemwide expertise, helping support the long-term success of both the hospital and the community.

Wellstar intends to honor the terms of existing physician and clinician agreements, subject to customary compliance, regulatory and contractual review. Providers will receive direct communication regarding any future changes.

The goal is to preserve continuity of care while creating stronger connections to Wellstar’s specialists, advanced clinical programs and coordinated care resources. Over time, clinicians may have additional opportunities to collaborate across Wellstar’s broader network while continuing to serve patients locally.

Yes. Physician engagement is considered essential to successful integration and long-term planning. Wellstar is committed to working closely with local clinicians to understand community needs and identify opportunities to enhance services, improve access and support future growth.

Yes. Wellstar intends to bring Epic to MLMC over time through a phased implementation approach. Clinicians will benefit from enhanced connectivity, care coordination, clinical tools and access to the broader Wellstar network, helping create a more seamless experience for both providers and patients.

Yes. Local clinicians will remain central to the future of care at MLMC. Wellstar intends to preserve local access to care and maintain the strong relationships clinicians have built with patients and the community while expanding access to additional resources and expertise across the Wellstar system.

Over time, clinicians will gain access to one of the Southeast’s largest networks of specialists, subspecialists and advanced clinical programs. Through Wellstar’s Digital Care Network, local clinicians will also be able to connect with experts across the system in real time, helping accelerate diagnosis, treatment planning and coordinated patient care while allowing patients to receive care close to home.

Existing systems, including TruBridge, will remain in place at closing to support continuity for patients and team members. Over time, Wellstar intends to bring the benefits of Epic and other Wellstar technology capabilities to MLMC through a phased implementation approach.

Current planning anticipates earlier transition of HR, payroll and benefits systems while many clinical and operational systems remain in place initially through transition services agreements.

Yes. Wellstar intends to bring Epic to MLMC over time through a phased implementation approach. Clinicians and team members will benefit from enhanced connectivity, care coordination and access to Wellstar technology capabilities.

Existing systems and processes are expected to remain in place initially while future-state operational plans are developed.

Existing vendors and contracts are currently being evaluated. Some services may remain in place temporarily through transition agreements.

Wellstar is conducting technology and security assessments and will implement upgrades and integrations over time.