Emory Healthcare
Emory Healthcare is a nonprofit academic health system headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, serving as the primary clinical partner of Emory University's Robert W. Woodruff Health Sciences Center and recognized as the largest and most comprehensive health care provider in the state.[1][2] Founded in 1997 to integrate Emory's hospitals and clinics into a unified system, it encompasses 12 hospitals with approximately 3,100 licensed beds (as of November 2025), more than 600 provider locations, and a workforce of approximately 29,000 employees, including over 3,900 physicians across 70 subspecialties. In June 2025, the system integrated Houston Healthcare, adding two hospitals in central Georgia.[3][4][1][5][6] The system's mission is to "improve lives and provide hope by delivering exceptional care to our patients, their families and the communities we serve," emphasizing patient-centered care, education, research, and community health initiatives.[1] Emory Healthcare operates the Emory Clinic, a multi-specialty group practice, and the Emory Healthcare Network, established in 2011 as Georgia's largest clinically integrated network, which coordinates care across affiliated providers and facilities in 45 counties.[1][7] Notable for its academic integration, Emory Healthcare supports training for health professionals through Emory University School of Medicine and leads in research and innovation, with hospitals consistently ranked among the top in Georgia by U.S. News & World Report; for instance, Emory University Hospital has been No. 1 in the state for 14 consecutive years and is nationally ranked in 3 adult specialties.[4][8] The system also holds multiple Magnet designations for nursing excellence and focuses on high-quality, safe care as outlined in its annual quality reports.[9][10]History
Founding and early development
Emory Healthcare traces its origins to the establishment of Wesley Memorial Hospital in 1904, chartered by the North Georgia Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church South as a 50-bed facility housed in a repurposed antebellum mansion on Courtland Avenue in downtown Atlanta.[3] The hospital opened its doors on August 12, 1905, initially focusing on providing care to the underserved populations of Metro Atlanta while establishing a training school for nurses to support its operations.[11] During the early 20th century, including the devastating 1918 influenza pandemic that claimed over 31,000 lives in Georgia, Wesley Memorial played a critical role in serving the region's healthcare needs amid widespread epidemics.[12] A key early milestone came in 1908 with the opening of the Davis-Fischer Sanatorium on Crew Street (later moved to Linden Avenue), founded by physicians Edward Campbell Davis and Luther C. Fischer as a 26-bed facility specializing in surgical care; this institution would evolve into what is now Emory University Hospital Midtown.[13] In 1922, Wesley Memorial Hospital relocated to the Emory University campus in Druid Hills, funded in part by philanthropist Asa Griggs Candler, and was renamed Emory University Hospital to reflect its growing ties to the university's medical education efforts.[3] This move solidified the hospital's role as a teaching institution affiliated with the Emory University School of Medicine, which had been established in 1915 by integrating the older Atlanta Medical College.[14] The 1930s brought further expansion when, in 1939, Luther C. Fischer deeded the nonprofit Crawford W. Long Memorial Hospital—formerly the Davis-Fischer Sanatorium—to Emory University, formalizing its affiliation and enhancing clinical training opportunities in midtown Atlanta.[15] Following World War II, Emory's healthcare initiatives saw significant growth, including the 1946 assumption of medical supervision at the Lawson General Hospital (later the Atlanta Veterans Affairs Medical Center), which supported veteran care and advanced the integration of medical education, research, and patient services under the university's auspices.[3] These developments laid the foundation for Emory's academic health system, emphasizing a tripartite mission of clinical care, education, and biomedical research.[16]Expansion and recent integrations
Emory Healthcare was formally established in 1997, uniting several existing hospitals and clinics under a single administrative structure to enhance coordinated care and academic integration. This formation marked a significant step in consolidating Emory University's clinical operations, building on prior affiliations and expansions that had grown the system's capacity throughout the late 20th century.[3] In the early 21st century, the system continued to expand through new constructions and strategic partnerships. Emory Johns Creek Hospital opened in 2007 with 110 beds, serving the growing suburban population north of Atlanta, while the Emory University Orthopaedics & Spine Hospital followed in 2008 with 120 beds, specializing in musculoskeletal care. These additions strengthened Emory's regional footprint and specialized services. In 2009, Emory Crawford Long Hospital was renamed Emory University Hospital Midtown, reflecting its integration into the core network.[3] The establishment of the Emory Healthcare Network in 2011 positioned it as Georgia's largest clinically integrated network, encompassing over 2,800 physicians across 70 subspecialties and facilitating collaborative care delivery. This network model improved efficiency and access, integrating independent practices with Emory's hospitals and clinics. Further growth came in 2012 with a majority ownership partnership with Saint Joseph's Health System, incorporating the historic Emory Saint Joseph's Hospital into the system while preserving its Catholic sponsorship. In 2018, Emory acquired the three hospitals from DeKalb Medical—now operating as Emory Decatur Hospital, Emory Hillandale Hospital, and Emory Long-Term Acute Care—expanding services in DeKalb County and enhancing long-term care capabilities.[1][17] Key milestones in the 2010s underscored Emory's commitment to excellence and specialized programs. In 2014, Emory University Hospital achieved Magnet recognition for nursing excellence from the American Nurses Credentialing Center, with additional designations following for other facilities like Emory Saint Joseph's Hospital, highlighting superior patient outcomes and professional development. That same year marked the first Magnet for the system, setting a benchmark for quality. In 2015, the Emory Healthcare Veterans Program launched with initial funding from the Wounded Warrior Project, providing integrated treatment for post-9/11 veterans, particularly for PTSD and traumatic brain injuries, and has since served more than 3,500 individuals as of 2025.[18][19][20] The most recent expansion occurred on June 1, 2025, with the integration of Houston Healthcare, adding Emory Hospital Warner Robins (237 beds) and Emory Hospital Perry (45 beds) to the network, along with seven outpatient facilities and nine physician practices. This move extended Emory's reach into central Georgia, serving over 300,000 patients annually in the region and combining academic innovation with community-focused care. The integration added more than 2,500 employees and 350 physicians to Emory's workforce.[5][21][6] These developments have scaled Emory Healthcare into Georgia's largest health system, employing over 29,500 staff members across 11 hospitals with 3,028 licensed beds.[22] As of fiscal year 2024, there were 103,131 annual hospital admissions and 7.1 million outpatient visits, demonstrating substantial economic and clinical impact in the state.[23] In October 2025, following the integration, Emory Healthcare opened a new heart and vascular and transplant clinic in Warner Robins and announced a $150 million upgrade plan for facilities in the region.[24]Organization and operations
Structure and network
Emory Healthcare functions as a non-profit academic health system integrated within Emory University's Woodruff Health Sciences Center, encompassing hospitals, clinics, and research components to deliver patient care, education, and discovery. This structure supports a comprehensive approach to healthcare, with 11 hospitals and more than 580 provider locations spanning Georgia.[1] The system employs coordinated operations across these entities, fostering collaboration between clinical services and academic pursuits.[25] The Emory Healthcare Network, established in 2011, operates as a clinically integrated model that unites over 3,800 physicians across more than 70 specialties with more than 490 provider locations, including outpatient sites. This network emphasizes shared goals for quality care, utilizing coordinated protocols to manage patient outcomes, reduce costs, and enhance coordination among employed, faculty, and private-practice providers.[1][26] Key elements include standardized care pathways and data-driven initiatives that integrate hospitals, ambulatory services, and research arms for seamless delivery.[27] Annually, the broader Woodruff Health Sciences Center, which includes Emory Healthcare, generates an economic impact of $14.8 billion (FY2023) on metro Atlanta and employs 37,141 individuals across its operations (FY2025). In education, it trains 6,237 students and trainees in medicine, nursing, and allied health fields (FY2025), leveraging the system's clinical infrastructure for hands-on learning and professional development.[28]Leadership and governance
Emory Healthcare is led by Joon S. Lee, MD, who serves as Chief Executive Officer and Executive Vice President for Health Affairs at Emory University, a role he assumed in an expanded capacity in June 2025.[29][30] In this position, Dr. Lee oversees strategic integration efforts, including the incorporation of Houston Healthcare into the system effective June 1, 2025, enhancing Emory's regional footprint in Georgia. This integration added two hospitals and seven outpatient facilities, expanding Emory's reach in central Georgia.[21][5] Prior to joining Emory in 2023, Dr. Lee held senior leadership roles at the University of California, San Francisco, and has focused on operational efficiency and financial stability since his arrival.[31] Key executives supporting Dr. Lee include Christopher L. Augostini, Executive Vice President for Business and Finance, who manages financial strategy and operations across the health system.[32] The Emory Healthcare Board of Directors, chaired by John G. Rice, comprises 20 members, including vice-chairs Augostini and Lee, as well as representatives from Emory University such as Sandra L. Wong, MD, MS, Dean of the Emory School of Medicine, and community stakeholders like Russ Hardin, a designated community director.[33] This board provides strategic oversight, drawing on diverse expertise in healthcare, finance, and academia to guide policy and long-term planning. Governance of Emory Healthcare is integrated with Emory University, with ultimate oversight by the university's Board of Trustees, which establishes policies and exercises fiduciary responsibility for the institution's health sciences components.[34] The Emory Healthcare Board of Directors handles operational governance, while university-level committees under the Board of Trustees—such as the Finance and Investment Committee for financial matters, the Audit and Compliance Committee for ethical and risk oversight, and the Woodruff Health Sciences Center Committee for quality and strategic direction in healthcare—ensure alignment with broader institutional goals.[35][36] Under current leadership, Emory Healthcare emphasizes innovation through initiatives like the Emory Healthcare Innovation Hub, which accelerates medical advancements and improves patient outcomes.[37] Efforts to advance health equity include collaborations to address disparities, such as workforce education and advocacy for underserved populations, led by figures like Chief Transformation Officer Amaka Eneanya, MD.[38][39] The organization has also demonstrated capability in responding to public health crises, exemplified by its successful treatment of four Ebola patients in 2014 at Emory University Hospital, establishing protocols for isolation and care that inform ongoing preparedness.[40][41]Facilities
Hospitals
Emory Healthcare operates 11 hospitals throughout Georgia, collectively providing 3,028 licensed beds as of 2025 and serving as the core of its inpatient care network. These facilities deliver comprehensive acute and specialized care, ranging from trauma and emergency services to advanced treatments in cardiology, oncology, neurology, and orthopaedics, supporting the system's mission as Georgia's largest health care provider. The hospitals are strategically located in metro Atlanta and central Georgia, enabling access to academic-level medicine for diverse communities. The following table enumerates the 11 hospitals, including their locations, bed capacities, and primary specialties or key features:| Hospital Name | Location | Bed Capacity | Specialties and Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Emory University Hospital | Atlanta | 751 | Flagship for complex care, including cardiology, neurology, oncology, and transplants; home to the NCI-designated Winship Cancer Institute.[42] |
| Emory University Hospital Midtown | Atlanta | 605 | Urban trauma center with expertise in cardiology, heart surgery, neurosurgery, women's services, and spine surgery.[43] |
| Emory Saint Joseph's Hospital | Atlanta | 410 | Focus on cardiac care, bariatrics, and heart attack treatment; recognized for high-quality specialty referrals.[44] |
| Emory Johns Creek Hospital | Johns Creek | 194 | Suburban general acute care, including bariatric, maternity, stroke, cancer, and women's health services. |
| Emory Decatur Hospital | Decatur | 451 | Community acute care with emphasis on emergency services, general surgery, and oncology.[45] |
| Emory Hillandale Hospital | Lithonia | 100 | Acute care services, including emergency care, orthopaedics, general surgery, and mammography. |
| Emory Long-Term Acute Care | Decatur | 76 | Specialized rehabilitation for pulmonary conditions, wound care, and physical therapy. |
| Emory Orthopaedics & Spine Hospital | Tucker | 120 | Dedicated to joint replacement, minimally invasive orthopaedics, and spinal surgeries. |
| Emory University Hospital at Wesley Woods | Atlanta | 82 | Geriatric care with services in gastroenterology, neurology, oncology, and heart/vascular; psychiatric services transferred to Emory Decatur Hospital in 2024. |
| Emory Hospital Warner Robins | Warner Robins | 237 | General acute care, emergency services, surgical care, cardiology, and women's health; integrated in 2025 to expand central Georgia presence.[46] |
| Emory Hospital Perry | Perry | 45 | Acute care with emergency department, outpatient surgery, and radiology; integrated in 2025.[46] |