CHOA Atlanta: A Local Guide to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta

If you’re searching for “CHOA Atlanta”, you’re almost certainly looking for Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta—one of the main pediatric healthcare systems serving families in the metro area. Whether you live in Atlanta, are planning a move, or are visiting with kids and want to be prepared, it helps to understand how CHOA works locally, where its major locations are, and how Atlanta families typically use its services.

What Is CHOA in Atlanta?

Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta (CHOA) is a nonprofit pediatric healthcare system dedicated to caring for infants, children, and teens. In the Atlanta area, CHOA is known for:

• Specialized pediatric hospitals
• Emergency departments just for kids
• Outpatient and specialty care centers
• Urgent care centers
• Rehabilitation and therapy services

Parents in Atlanta often treat CHOA as their go-to place for serious childhood illnesses or injuries, even if they use a different pediatrician for routine checkups.

Major CHOA Hospitals in Atlanta

CHOA operates multiple hospitals across the metro area. Knowing where they are—and what each is known for—can save time in an emergency.

1. Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Egleston (Emory University area)

• Location: Near Emory University and Druid Hills, serving much of intown Atlanta and the east side.
• Often associated with specialty and complex pediatric care.
• Convenient if you’re in neighborhoods like Virginia-Highland, Decatur, Druid Hills, Kirkwood, East Atlanta, and nearby areas.

2. Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite (Perimeter/Sandy Springs)

• Location: Near the Perimeter Center / Sandy Springs area, close to I‑285 and GA‑400.
• Commonly used by families in North Atlanta, Sandy Springs, Dunwoody, Roswell, Alpharetta, and surrounding suburbs.
• Known locally as a major site for pediatric emergency and inpatient care.

3. Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Hughes Spalding (Downtown/Midtown edge)

• Location: Near downtown Atlanta, in partnership with Grady.
• Accessible for families in downtown, Midtown, Westside, and south Atlanta neighborhoods.
• Often serves as a central, urban option for pediatric emergency and hospital services.

CHOA Emergency Rooms vs. Urgent Care in Atlanta

Atlanta parents often have to decide: go to a CHOA emergency department or a CHOA urgent care location? Knowing the difference helps you choose where to go.

When Families Use CHOA Emergency Departments

CHOA emergency departments are open 24/7 and are used for more serious or potentially life-threatening issues in infants, children, and teens, such as:

• Trouble breathing
• Severe head injury
• Seizures
• Serious burns or fractures
• Uncontrolled bleeding
• Sudden severe pain or illness

These emergency departments are located at CHOA hospitals like Egleston, Scottish Rite, and Hughes Spalding.

When Families Use CHOA Urgent Care

CHOA urgent care centers are used for non-life-threatening issues that still need attention the same day, such as:

• Minor cuts, sprains, or possible simple fractures
• Ear pain, sore throat, or mild respiratory symptoms
• Fever in older children without alarming symptoms
• Minor burns, rashes, or infections

They typically have extended hours but are not open 24/7, and they are not intended to replace your regular pediatrician for routine care.

At-a-Glance: ER vs. Urgent Care at CHOA

This table is for general orientation, not a substitute for medical judgment. When in doubt, Atlanta families often call their child’s pediatrician or local nurse advice line before heading out.

Common Ways Atlanta Families Use CHOA

Many parents in and around Atlanta use CHOA in a few consistent ways:

For Emergency and Specialized Hospital Care

• Emergency visits: When something serious happens after hours or on weekends, CHOA’s pediatric ERs are a common destination.
• Planned surgeries or procedures: If a child needs surgery or a specialized procedure, CHOA hospitals are often where it’s scheduled.
• Complex or chronic conditions: Children who need cardiology, oncology, neurology, or other specialized pediatric services are often referred into the CHOA system by local pediatricians.

For Outpatient and Therapy Services

Beyond the hospital setting, CHOA has outpatient centers and therapy locations around the metro area that may provide:

• Physical, occupational, or speech therapy
• Follow-up visits after hospitalization
• Specialty clinics (for example, asthma, diabetes, or orthopedic clinics)

These are particularly useful if you live in Atlanta suburbs and want to avoid driving into the city for every appointment.

Insurance, Referrals, and Access in Atlanta

Because CHOA is a major pediatric system, most families in Atlanta encounter it at some point. Access often depends on:

Insurance Considerations

• Many employer-based plans, Affordable Care Act marketplace plans, and Georgia Medicaid/PeachCare options connect with CHOA.
• It’s common for Atlanta families to check:
  • If CHOA is in-network
  • Whether pre-authorization is needed for planned procedures
  • Which specialists and locations are covered on their specific plan

Referrals from Local Pediatricians

Most pediatricians in Atlanta are familiar with CHOA and may:

• Send electronic referrals to CHOA specialists
• Coordinate follow-up care after a CHOA hospital stay
• Help families choose the most appropriate CHOA location for particular needs

If you’re new to Atlanta, choosing a local pediatrician is often the first step, and CHOA tends to be part of the broader pediatric care network.

CHOA Locations Across the Atlanta Metro

CHOA services are spread across much of the metro area, which can be helpful given Atlanta’s traffic. Families often choose locations based on:

• Where they live or work (intown vs. north, south, east, or west metro)
• Proximity to major interstates like I‑75/85, I‑20, I‑285, and GA‑400
• Parking and ease of access (some parents prefer suburban sites for easier parking with kids)

Broadly, CHOA-connected locations can be found in or near:

• Intown Atlanta (Emory/Druid Hills, downtown, Midtown area)
• North Atlanta (Sandy Springs, Dunwoody, Perimeter, Alpharetta, Roswell)
• East/Decatur area
• South and West metro suburbs through satellite clinics and therapy centers

Because facilities can grow or move over time, many parents confirm the exact address and hours online before leaving home.

Getting to CHOA in Atlanta: Practical Tips

Navigating Atlanta to get a sick child to care can be stressful. A few practical points can make it easier:

• Plan routes in advance: Know your nearest CHOA ER and urgent care based on where you live, your child’s school, and your workplace.
• Account for traffic: Rush hour on I‑285, GA‑400, and the Downtown Connector (I‑75/85) can be significant. Some families keep alternate surface-street routes in mind.
• Parking: Most CHOA hospitals offer structured parking with designated patient areas. Ask about:
  • Where to park for the emergency department
  • Whether parking tickets need validation
• Bring essentials: Atlanta families often keep a small “go bag” in the car with:
  • Insurance cards and identification
  • A list of medications and allergies
  • A comfort item for the child (small toy, blanket, tablet with headphones)

CHOA and Atlanta’s Broader Pediatric Health Network

CHOA is a major pillar of pediatric care in Atlanta, but it functions within a wider local network:

• Private pediatric practices: Located throughout the metro, these handle well visits, vaccines, and day-to-day illnesses, and refer to CHOA when needed.
• Family medicine clinics and community health centers: Some families use these instead of a dedicated pediatric practice, still connecting to CHOA for hospital or specialty needs.
• Adult hospital systems with pediatric units: These may handle certain cases but often refer complex pediatric situations to CHOA facilities.

For many Atlanta families, CHOA is where they go when something is beyond the scope of a standard pediatric visit, especially for emergencies, surgery, or long-term specialty care.

If You’re New to Atlanta or Just Visiting with Kids

If you’re relocating to or visiting Atlanta with children, it’s wise to be prepared:

• Identify nearest CHOA ER and urgent care to your hotel, rental, or new home.
• Establish care with a local pediatrician if you’re moving here, and ask how they coordinate with CHOA.
• Keep emergency numbers handy, including your child’s out-of-town doctor and any insurance nurse lines.

Many visiting families feel more at ease knowing that dedicated pediatric hospitals and emergency departments are available in Atlanta through CHOA if something unexpected happens.

Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta—often shortened to “CHOA Atlanta”—is a central part of how local families handle serious childhood health needs. Knowing where its hospitals and urgent care locations are, how they fit into the broader Atlanta healthcare landscape, and when you might use them can make navigating pediatric care in the city significantly less stressful.