Stephanie’s dad, Bill, arrived at Wellstar Sylvan Grove Medical Center after years of heart issues and multiple heart attacks.

He had been recovering in a nursing home, but something didn’t feel right. Stephanie could see it in his care and knew it wasn’t what he needed.

So, she made a change.

As a rural hospital serving Butts County and surrounding communities, Wellstar Sylvan Grove provides critical access to care close to home for patients and families who might otherwise have to travel much farther for treatment.

The Right Place

From the moment they arrived, things felt different.

“The nurse came in…and we were all there — my stepmother, my brother and I — and everything from the first moment, it seemed like it was designed to put us at ease,” said Stephanie. “It felt like we were in the right place from the very beginning.”

Bill settled in quickly. The team asked thoughtful questions and took a steady, compassionate approach that remained consistent throughout his stay.

There was an initial focus on helping him regain strength through rehabilitation. Wellstar Sylvan Grove’s rehabilitation program helps patients recover from illness, injury and surgery in a supportive, family-like environment designed to keep patients motivated and comfortable throughout their recovery.

Care That Never Changed

Unfortunately, Bill’s condition did not improve as his family had hoped. Even so, the level of care never changed.

“They were so wonderful and pleasant and helpful,” said Stephanie. “The nurses knew him. They checked on him constantly. The dietary team came in every day and asked what he thought he could eat, even bringing him extra chocolate Ensure when they had it.”

The details mattered, especially those tied to Bill’s comfort and dignity. Along with his heart issues, he was living with Parkinson’s disease, making medication timing critical. His care team managed his medications carefully and consistently, staying closely attuned to his needs.

As Bill’s condition changed, the team continued to support both him and his family every step of the way. When it became clear that he would need hospice care, they immediately stepped in to help.

“They got on the phone right away, and we were able to get him moved within just a few hours instead of waiting a day and a half trying to make arrangements,” Stephanie said.

What stayed with her most was the reassurance that came from knowing her dad was never alone.

“I knew that he wasn’t alone, that they were checking on him constantly and that his needs were met,” she said. “It was such a relief as a daughter to see that he was being cared for.”

Join Stephanie in Supporting Rural Healthcare

Bill’s outcome wasn’t what his family had hoped for. But the care he received — and the support they experienced along the way — stayed with Stephanie.

Today, she supports Wellstar Sylvan Grove through Georgia’s Rural Hospital Tax Credit Program, helping ensure that local families continue to have access to exceptional care close to home.
You can redirect your Georgia tax dollars to Wellstar Sylvan Grove Medical Center and receive a 100% Georgia state income tax credit. Enrollment takes less than a minute and helps strengthen healthcare access for patients and families throughout our region.

Learn more about the Georgia HEART program and enroll today.