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Article Category: PeopleCare

LatoyaCare

Published on February 13, 2025

Last updated 11:30 AM February 13, 2025

Latoya Jordan smiling with her family in the background.

In Latoya Jordan’s world, “family comes first” is more than a mantra. It’s a way of life, as a wife and mother raising four fearless daughters.

While living in New York, Latoya learned how to be strong, determined and face challenges head-on—lessons she now instills in her own children. These traits proved useful when the Jordans resettled in the South at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

But between the big move and preparing the girls for virtual school, Latoya found it difficult to squeeze in any "me time." Caring for her little ones often led to putting her own health last.

However, with two different heart conditions—a murmur and high blood pressure—the mother needed tailored care to live her fullest life.

With the help of Wellstar, Latoya got expert care to stay heart healthy, right in her new neighborhood. But beyond that, she found a trusted healthcare family that had her covered when it came to her well-being.

As a busy mom, I don’t have a lot of time to myself, but I wanted to be healthier for my kids and family. Now, I have my heart murmur and high blood pressure under control, and I’m going to live a long time.

- Latoya Jordan

Wellstar Heart Care Patient

Listen to Latoya's Story

Finding care during COVID-19

When the Jordans moved over 900 miles from New York to Georgia, they looked forward to catching up with family and never missing a Double Dutch jump rope match again. But COVID-19 quickly changed their plans.

“We moved at the beginning of the pandemic. It was hard getting to know a new area, but we made it. My kids couldn’t go to school for the first year,” Latoya said, explaining the stressful time.

“At the start, I didn’t have a doctor or insurance either,” she said. And, because her previous care team was based in New York, she also went without her prescription medicine for a period of time.

But when she started experiencing headaches and minor chest pains, Latoya knew it was time to get care for her heart murmur and high blood pressure.

After establishing a primary care clinician, Latoya was quickly connected with specialty care at Wellstar Avalon Health Park. The mother of four was grateful to get safe care during the pandemic.

“I wasn’t afraid to go to the doctor. I was thankful to be able to get care,” Latoya said about getting treatment when she needed it most.

Here, Wellstar Cardiologist Dr. Natasha Mamdani partnered with Latoya to create a personalized treatment plan for her cardiac conditions and keep her heart healthy.

One-of-a-kind heart care

Ever since the beginning, Dr. Mamdani has been committed to creating a care plan centered around Latoya’s unique needs.

“Latoya was initially diagnosed with hypertension during her last pregnancy. After giving birth, her symptoms improved,” Dr. Mamdani said, explaining the mother’s situation. “However, she developed high blood pressure months later.”

“This can be quite common. When someone has gestational hypertension, it can often lead to having hypertension later in life,” Dr. Mamdani said.

Because of the hectic move and gap in care after leaving the Empire State, Latoya went without her medications for a few months, which caused uncontrolled hypertension.

To bring her blood pressure back down to a normal level, Dr. Mamdani prescribed heart medications that would work best for Latoya and monitored her closely. She created a tailored care plan to keep the mother feeling her best.

“Every single patient is different. Latoya’s treatment plan was built around what did and didn’t work for her,” Dr. Mamdani said about how she used PeopleCare in her approach.

“I took my blood pressure three times a day,” Latoya said, describing the plan to get her heart health under control. “Dr. Mamdani worked with me to find the right medications and dosage. I saw her every two weeks to make sure my levels were going down.”

Along with specialized care, Latoya found compassion and support from team members every time she stopped at Wellstar Avalon Health Park.

“At Wellstar, everyone is very friendly and kind. They make you feel welcome,” Latoya shared. “When I go to my appointments, everyone knows my name and remembers who I am. It feels like we’re family and we’ve known each other for a long time.”

After just a handful of visits, her blood pressure was back under control. But even with Latoya’s quick success, Dr. Mamdani encouraged her to make lasting changes to stay well in the long run.

Leaving the comfort zone

Along with medicines to manage her heart conditions, Dr. Mamdani also gave Latoya a “prescription” for health. This meant forming new, healthier habits for diet and exercise.

“When it comes to heart health, staying active is important even if it’s just walking 20 to 30 minutes a day,” Dr. Mamdani explained. “It’s also helpful to eat a diet low in carbs and animal fats like red meat.”

Having the support of the Wellstar family has been crucial during Latoya’s new wellness journey. She has learned different ways to manage her heart conditions and how to have fun along the way.

“Before trying a new food, we always do a little taste test first,” Latoya smiled. “So far, my favorite healthy food is asparagus. Our whole family loves it.”

She added, “We even have ‘Vegan Mondays’ to try a new vegan meal each week.”

With her busy schedule, Latoya has made it a point to prioritize her health needs. She is focusing on finding exercises she enjoys and doing them whenever she can.

“It’s hard to fit in exercise, but I’m trying my best,” Latoya said. “I enjoy riding my bike outside, visiting trails and new dog parks.”

All of Latoya’s willpower has led to real changes in her health.

“After finding the right medications and monitoring her diet and exercise changes, Latoya’s blood pressure is now well controlled,” Dr. Mamdani said. “I am happy with her results.”

“For physicians, it’s our job to present information in a way patients understand and are able to take home the lessons we teach them,” the cardiologist said about her role in Latoya’s journey.

Along with healthy habits, Latoya has discovered another important lesson: taking care of her own wellness needs to be there for her family longer.

“As a busy mom, I don’t have a lot of time to myself, but I wanted to be healthier for my kids and family,” Latoya said, sharing how her loved ones became her motivation.

“Now, I have my heart murmur and high blood pressure under control, and I’m going to live a long time.”

Moving forward, Latoya’s future and heart health look brighter than ever, especially with her Wellstar family by her side.

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Natasha Mamdani PeopleCare Heart Care
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Maria Fernanda Ortiz was a college junior, pursuing a degree in interior design. But at just 26 years old, her life took an unexpected turn. She discovered a lump in her breast, which led to a cancer diagnosis and expert, multidisciplinary care at Wellstar that would shape her professional aspirations in the future. Maria feels her hopeful attitude and compassionate care team at Wellstar helped her come through treatment with positive outcomes.

Feeling heard in healthcare

After Maria discovered a lump, she initially saw a doctor who went through the motions but didn’t seem to take her concerns seriously. 

“He was so sure it was nothing because I am so young,” she remembered. “I didn’t think it was cancer, but I wanted someone who would get to the bottom of it.”

She then saw her OB/GYN who referred her to Dr. Laura Pearson, a Wellstar breast surgeon at Wellstar North Fulton Cancer Center, for a second opinion. 

Maria got what she was looking for: a doctor who listened and would help her find answers. 

“Maria is the perfect example of a patient advocating for themselves,” Dr. Pearson said. “She did exactly what she was supposed to do for someone her age who finds a lump. When it didn’t go away, she got it looked at. When she didn’t feel like she was being heard, she didn’t let it go.”

 

A surprising cancer diagnosis

Dr. Pearson immediately performed an ultrasound in the office, followed quickly by a biopsy, which came back positive for cancer. 

"The diagnosis was scary," Maria said. “Dr. Pearson made it as simple as possible to understand by making sketches. She took the time to answer my questions—and she gave me hugs.”

Dr. Pearson added, “I try hard to be methodical and build a story: ‘This is what this means. This is how it applies to you.’ It’s important for patients to understand their plan and how it’s based very specifically on their situation.”

Maria was diagnosed with stage 2A breast cancer, meaning it was a small tumor but had spread to a nearby lymph node. 

“The stage helps us understand how the patient is going to do with standard treatment,” Dr. Pearson explained. “At stage 2A, we’re looking at a 90% survival rate.”

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When Katie Fox walked into Wellstar North Fulton Medical Center nearly a year after her devastating car crash, she felt the weight of the full-circle moment.

Across the atrium stood the people who had helped save her life—doctors, nurses and first responders who had seen her at her most critical and were now seeing her fully herself.

Katie had no memory of the three weeks she spent at Wellstar North Fulton—but her family remembered everything. So did her care team, who had been there through emergency surgery, intensive care, multiple procedures and round-the-clock support.

Now, just 10 months later, Katie was back—walking, smiling and thriving—thanks to her own resilience, an unwavering support system and the highly skilled trauma team at Wellstar North Fulton.

The crash that changed everything

Katie was involved in a car accident on Georgia State Route 400 that sent her to Wellstar North Fulton in critical condition. She had suffered a traumatic brain injury, a lacerated spleen and multiple fractures—including to her ribs, left ankle and pelvis.

Wellstar North Fulton is specially equipped to care for patients like Katie. Designated a Level II Trauma Center by the Georgia Department of Public Health and American College of Surgeons, the hospital serves the Northeast Atlanta community with immediate surgical intervention, 24/7 trauma coverage and seamless coordination across specialties.

“When they first brought her in, she was obviously severely injured in multiple areas,” said Dr. Stephen McBride, a trauma and general surgeon at Wellstar. “She had a large scalp laceration that was bleeding. We also noticed significant internal bleeding from her spleen and multiple pelvic fractures.”

A CT scan revealed a buildup of fluid in Katie’s abdomen, likely blood. She was taken straight to the operating room for what Dr. McBride called a “damage control operation.”

“We opened her abdomen and took her spleen out, which was very severely injured,” he said. “Then it was a matter of getting her stable.”

The surgery was a success—but it was only the beginning. Katie spent the next 10 days on a ventilator in the ICU. During her 19-day stay, she underwent multiple procedures and received care from a collaborative, multidisciplinary team: trauma surgery, neurosurgery, orthopedics, therapy and nursing.

Finding clarity and compassion

Katie’s parents, Mary Lou and Jeff Fox, flew in from Virginia as soon as they learned about the accident—first alerted by a message from Katie’s smart watch.

Jeff recalls speaking with Dr. McBride before takeoff and again after landing. “He was keeping us updated with what was going on with Katie from the start,” he said.

At Wellstar North Fulton, the couple were met with empathy and reassurance under unthinkable circumstances.

“When we got in, they took us straight to Katie,” Jeff said. “I didn’t know what to expect. It was probably the hardest moment of my life—seeing my baby there.”

Katie was unconscious and on a ventilator, but her care team made space for both expert treatment and emotional support. Jeff remembers nurses and even the front desk team checking on them constantly—offering updates, comfort and prayer.

One quiet act of compassion stood out. “The night of Katie’s accident, we stayed in the room with her,” said Mary Lou. “But her boyfriend, her roommate and a friend stayed in the waiting room. We don’t know who it was, but one of the caregivers placed blankets over each of them while they slept.”

That moment—and so many others—confirmed they were in the right place. “I’ll never forget the love and care we received,” Mary Lou said.

Milestones that mattered

Amid the uncertainty of Katie’s condition, small moments brought glimmers of hope. From the way her vital signs responded to blood transfusions to the subtle movements that followed, each step forward reminded her care team and loved ones that she was still fighting.

One emotional turning point came when her boyfriend, Will Henley, sat with her for the first time since the accident.

“I started talking to her about my day, and she opened her eyes,” he said. “I immediately asked her nurse if she had done that for anyone else and she said no. It wasn't much, but it was all I needed to keep my faith.”

Even while unconscious, Katie’s team spoke to her directly. “That was very special,” Mary Lou said. “Her doctors always included her in conversations about her care.”

Wellstar Neurosurgeon Dr. Benjamin Zussman became one of her biggest cheerleaders, celebrating every sign of progress.

“We were exhausted and reality was beginning to set in,” Mary Lou said. “His enthusiasm helped us so much.”

Slowly, Katie began following motion with her eyes. At one point, she mouthed lyrics to Taylor Swift songs when Will played them at her bedside.

Throughout her time in the ICU, Katie’s care extended far beyond medicine. Nurses Sarah Kozarcanin and Sydney Dawson spent hours gently washing Katie’s hair to carefully clean around her head wound.

“That was an act of love that was above and beyond to me,” Jeff recalled.

Care united by purpose

As Katie came off the ventilator and slowly regained strength, the therapy team stepped in to help her sit up and begin basic movements. Her parents saw how seamlessly everyone worked together.

Dr. McBride credits the hospital’s collaborative approach. “Our hospital does a great job having the appropriate consultants available—neurosurgeons for severe brain injury, orthopedic surgeons for severe musculoskeletal injury and, of course, trauma surgeons, physician assistants (PA) and nurse practitioners who care for our patients from start to finish,” he said. “And then there are the therapists, social workers and case managers—all of whom play a key role in recovery.”

Jeff especially appreciated how the team included him and Mary Lou in the process. “Every morning, all the departments involved in Katie’s care would meet,” he said. “They’d always ask, ‘Do you want to join us?’ They valued our input.”

Looking ahead with hope

Katie was discharged and transferred to inpatient rehabilitation, where her memory gradually returned. She and her family celebrated every milestone—especially the day she no longer needed a wheelchair.

“Walking again felt like I gained a lot of freedom back,” Katie said.

Just over four months later, she was back to work, driving and living independently. She credits her recovery to her care team, family and Will—now her fiancé.

“His unwavering support and love during those months showed me that he would be the perfect husband,” Katie said. “If he could be my anchor and love me through that, I knew he would love me through anything.”

Katie also discovered a new sense of purpose. “This confirmed every desire I had to become a PA,” she said. “I think it will give me a different connection to patients.”

In the months after her discharge, Katie returned to the ICU several times to meet the people she had heard so much about—but hadn’t been able to remember.

“Each time we visited, they’d say, ’You can go in the back way—you’re like family now,’” Mary Lou said with a smile.

For Katie’s family, the hospital’s trauma survivor reception brought closure and gratitude. “We had always wanted to meet the first responders who got her out of the car and to the hospital,” said Jeff. "It was awesome that we finally had that opportunity.”

“Seeing good outcomes is the best part of my job, without a doubt,” said Dr. McBride, who attended the event. “For someone like Katie—young, healthy and just in the wrong place at the wrong time—it’s rewarding to see her get her life back.”

Katie’s story is a testament to the power of expert trauma care, teamwork and hope.

“I will forever be grateful for the care, kindness and love the people at Wellstar North Fulton gave my family and me,” Katie said. “We will never forget any of them.”

Learn more about trauma services at Wellstar.

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Wellstar Kennestone Regional Medical Center is pictured. Text reads "STS National Database. Trusted. Transformed. Real-Time." and "STS 3-star ranked. 4 categories."

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Wellstar Kennestone Achieves Elite National Recognition in Cardiothoracic Surgery

Marietta, GA— Wellstar Kennestone Regional Medical Center has achieved a rare milestone in cardiac care, earning the highest possible rating—three stars—in four categories evaluated by the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS). This distinction places Wellstar Kennestone among the elite cardiac surgery programs in the U.S. and Canada.

The STS Star rating system is one of the most rigorous, verified and respected measures of quality in healthcare, based entirely on objective patient outcomes and implemented medical care processes. The latest analysis evaluates performance during a three-year period, from January 2022 to December 2024. Wellstar Kennestone earned the coveted three-star rating in the following key areas: isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG, or open-heart surgery), aortic valve replacement (AVR), AVR + CABG, and multiprocedural cardiothoracic surgeries.

“This extraordinary recognition reflects the world-class quality of care offered by Wellstar,” said Lorrie Liang, senior vice president and hospital president of Wellstar Kennestone and Wellstar Windy Hill. “To achieve this gold standard, a health system must demonstrate both clinical excellence and rigorous standards for follow-up care. At Wellstar, we provide all of this, along with a warm, people-centered experience. It’s what we call ‘PeopleCare.’”

Previously, Wellstar Kennestone had earned three-star ratings in two categories. This latest achievement marks a significant advancement, solidifying its position as a national leader in cardiothoracic surgery.

“This new accomplishment speaks volumes about the skill, precision, and teamwork of our cardiothoracic team,” said Dr. Richard Myung, medical director of cardiothoracic surgery at Wellstar Kennestone. “We’re proud to deliver exceptional outcomes for patients from across the Southeast who have some of the most complex heart conditions.”

“This amazing recognition is about the great lengths we go to care for our patients, and why people travel from across the region to receive their care at Kennestone,” added Karrie Davis, Director of Wellstar Cardiothoracic Surgery Services and the Structural Heart and Valve Program. “We care for every patient like they’re a family member or close friend. That’s why we hold ourselves to the highest standards.”

STS ratings reflect not only surgical excellence, but also the quality of care patients receive in the critical 30-day period following surgery. These results highlight the importance of a multidisciplinary approach—one that includes surgeons, anesthesiologists, perfusionists, nurses, cardiologists, respiratory therapists, rehabilitation specialists, critical care specialists, hospitalists, advanced practice providers and many others.

“This achievement is a testament to the entire care continuum,” said Cindy Holcomb, Wellstar executive director of cardiovascular nursing at Wellstar Kennestone. “From the operating room to recovery and rehabilitation, every team member plays a vital role in delivering outstanding outcomes.”

With a team of more than 110 cardiologists and cardiovascular surgeons, the Wellstar Center for Cardiovascular Care is home to one of Georgia’s most comprehensive cardiovascular programs. Its flagship, Wellstar Kennestone, was the first hospital in the state to earn the prestigious Comprehensive Cardiac Care Certification—the highest distinction awarded by the Joint Commission and the American Heart Association.

For more information about Heart Care at Wellstar, visit wellstar.org/heartcare.

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