SR 963: Wellstar Kennestone Regional Medical Center's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit; commend

This is a ceremonial resolution from the Georgia Senate rather than a change to state law. It praises the Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Wellstar Kennestone Regional Medical Center for the care it provides to premature and medically fragile newborns, citing statistics about premature birth rates and improving survival outcomes for very early or low birth weight infants. The resolution formally states that the Senate commends the NICU and its healthcare professionals, including neonatologists, nurses, respiratory therapists, and pediatric specialists, for their work. It directs the Secretary of the Senate to prepare a copy of the resolution for distribution to the NICU as a token of recognition. It does not create any new requirement, funding, or legal change.

• Formally commends Wellstar Kennestone Regional Medical Center's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and its healthcare staff on behalf of the Georgia Senate.
• Directs the Secretary of the Senate to prepare and distribute a copy of the resolution to the NICU.
• Makes no change to Georgia law, funding, or regulations since it is a commendatory resolution rather than legislation.

The resolution directly names Wellstar Kennestone Regional Medical Center's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and its neonatologists, nurses, respiratory therapists, and pediatric specialists. It has no legal effect on the broader public, hospitals generally, or state agencies.

The resolution has no legal or financial effect on Georgians. Its significance is symbolic: it publicly recognizes a specific hospital unit and its staff for their work caring for premature and medically complex newborns in the state.

• The resolution's whereas clauses describe the NICU's Level III designation, its staffing, and national statistics on premature birth and survival rates.
• The first resolving clause has the Senate commend the NICU and its healthcare professionals for their service to premature infants.
• The second resolving clause directs the Secretary of the Senate to make a copy of the resolution available for distribution to the NICU.

1. 2026-03-18Senate Read and Adopted (Senado)
2. 2026-03-16Senate Hopper (Senado)

• Kay Kirkpatrick (R, SD-032)Patrocinador principal
• Ed Setzler (R, SD-037)
• John Albers (R, SD-056)
• Jaha Howard (D, SD-035)
• Michael Rhett (D, SD-033)

• neonatal care
• hospital recognition
• Wellstar Kennestone
• Georgia Senate resolution
• premature infants