Wellstar Health System laid off hundreds of employees across Georgia on Tuesday, July 28, with cuts reaching its North Fulton Medical Center in Roswell, the city's third-largest employer.

A law-enforcement officer who works security at the North Fulton facility told Atlanta's 11Alive that they were being terminated effective that day. The exact number of positions eliminated at the Roswell hospital has not been disclosed.

Wellstar has not said how many total jobs were cut statewide. Sources cited by 11Alive said the layoffs span the 35,000-employee nonprofit system, including senior managers, security officers, and other departments.

Roswell's healthcare footprint

North Fulton Medical Center, at 3000 Hospital Blvd., is a Level II Trauma Center and Joint Commission Comprehensive Stroke Center. According to 2022 data, the hospital employed about 800 people and listed 400 staff physicians. The Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce identifies the hospital as Roswell's third-largest employer.

That figure is four years old. Current staffing levels have not been confirmed.

Beyond the hospital campus, Wellstar operates an urgent care clinic at 2000 Holcomb Bridge Road in Roswell, open seven days a week, and primary care offices at 1360 Upper Hembree Road and 9420 Willeo Road. Wellstar has not said whether staff at those satellite locations are affected.

Wellstar CEO addresses staff in internal email

Wellstar CEO Ketul J. Patel sent an internal email to employees on July 28, obtained by 11Alive, acknowledging the toll on workers and their families. Patel pledged resources and support for departing staff and said leaders would continue communicating in the days ahead. He urged remaining employees to care for one another.

The cuts come even as Wellstar expands elsewhere. The system acquired Mountain Lakes Medical Center in Rabun County in June and plans to open a 100-bed hospital in Grovetown in August.

Roswell-area workers affected by the layoffs can contact the Georgia Department of Labor for unemployment assistance or visit the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce for local job resources.