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Article Category: Newsroom

Wellstar Paulding Medical Center Breaks Ground on New Radiation Technology

Published on November 11, 2022

Last updated 01:30 PM November 11, 2022

Illustration of a person receiving an advanced radiation therapy treatment.

Wellstar Health System announced a multimillion-dollar investment to bring cutting-edge radiation therapy to Wellstar Paulding Medical Center in Hiram, Georgia on November 2, 2022.

“Our motto is ‘Neighbors Caring for Neighbors’ and these new technologies will enhance access to medical care for every neighbor in Paulding County,” said Ralph Turner, Wellstar senior vice president and president of Wellstar Paulding Medical Center. “Our team is focused on providing a patient-centric experience. Having a short drive and the comforts of home and family nearby helps the healing process.”

Breaking ground for groundbreaking radiation technology

The expansion will enhance the patient experience by adding a new radiation vault to house a second linear accelerator — the technology that delivers radiation therapy — and is slated for completion in early 2023.

In the last year, patients received nearly 8,000 radiation treatments. The radiation oncology team often extended hours from 7 a.m. until 7 or 8 p.m. to accommodate patients.

During a recent press conference, a group of patients, physicians, healthcare leaders, team members, government leaders and community partners ceremonially broke ground on the major expansion of Wellstar Radiation Oncology. The facility is located on the ground floor of Wellstar Paulding Medical Center’s Outpatient Pavilion at 148 Bill Carruth Parkway in Hiram, Georgia.

The new machine will also bring a leading-edge cancer treatment called stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) to Paulding County for the first time. This radiation technology uses multiple X-ray beams to treat tumors with highly precise, high-dose radiation to any location in the body, preserving surrounding tissue, organs and nerves. The technology allows patients to have significantly fewer treatment sessions.

“This is a huge step forward for cancer care for the people of Paulding County,” said Dr. William Thoms, who has served as the radiation oncology medical director for Wellstar Paulding Medical Center since 2017. “This expansion will allow people to stay in our community for more advanced treatments with shorter wait times.”

The renovation will also modernize the dressing rooms and add more space to increase patient comfort.

In the last year, patients received nearly 8,000 radiation treatments. The radiation oncology team (pictured) often extended hours from 7 a.m. until 7 or 8 p.m. to accommodate patients.

Hospital leaders hosted a ceremonial groundbreaking on a major expansion of Wellstar Radiation Oncology at Wellstar Paulding Medical Center. Here, a group holds shovels and wear hard hats at the site of construction.

A rendering of what the new LINAC radiation therapy machine will look like..

Learn more about Wellstar Paulding Medical Center.

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Paulding Medical Center Radiation Oncology - 148 Bill Carruth Parkway Media Room
Cancer Care
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Panelists speaking at Health Connect South 2025

Newsroom

Wellstar Leader Addresses Rising Cancer Rates in Younger Women at Health Connect South

At this week’s Health Connect South conference, Dr. Steven McCune, oncology service line physician lead, joined an impactful panel discussion titled “Women First: Collaborating for Better Cancer Care, Redefining Outcomes for the Next Generation.” The conversation brought together Dr. McCune and other regional experts to explore the alarming rise in cancer diagnoses among younger women.

Research shows that women under 50 are 82% more likely to be diagnosed with cancer than men in the same age group. Historically, cancer research and treatment have focused primarily on older patients.

“If you come see me for breast cancer, we’re about 10 to 20 years too late,” said Dr. McCune. “We want to work on prevention rather than treatment. This is about working together and collaborating to provide access to care in Georgia.”

Dr. McCune highlighted the Wellstar Center for Genetics —the largest genetic risk assessment program in Georgia—and its focus on identifying younger women at higher risk. Building on that commitment, Wellstar Women’s Health is championing Gabbi, an innovative tool that uses data and technology to expand access to advanced breast cancer risk screening. Supported by Catalyst by Wellstar, a program led by Dr. Hank Capps, Gabbi reflects Wellstar’s commitment to advance healthcare innovation to improve patient outcomes. Wellstar is also partnering with the Medical College of Georgia to train medical students and residents, helping expand the physician workforce and improve access to care across the state.

The panel, moderated by Dr. Kristin Higgins, chief clinical officer at City of Hope Cancer Center, featured leading voices in the field, including Dr. Lynn Durham, president and CEO of Georgia CORE, a statewide nonprofit dedicated to advancing oncology research and education.

“We work with health systems throughout the state, and we want to make sure that Georgians are getting the best cancer care they can get,” said Durham. “I’m a three-time cancer survivor and luckily I am cancer-free today because of clinical trials and the incredible care we have right here in Georgia.”

Together, the panelists discussed:

  • The impact of rising cancer rates on younger women.
  • Gaps in care, awareness and research that need to be addressed.
  • Opportunities for health systems, nonprofits and national organizations to collaborate in new ways.

Dr. McCune also stressed the importance of trusted primary care relationships.

“It’s easy to say a person needs to be their own advocate, but I think in the course of a busy day we have to take a step back and listen to people,” McCune said. “The best thing people can do is have a relationship with a primary care doctor where you’ve built a sense of trust.”

By participating in this regional forum, Wellstar continues to elevate its voice in the broader healthcare community—reinforcing our commitment to addressing the toughest challenges in cancer care through innovation, collaboration and compassion.

Keep reading
A friendly image of ECMO

Newsroom

Wellstar AirCare Completes First ECMO Patient Transport

When every second counts, having access to advanced technology and expert care can make all the difference. On September 10, Wellstar AirCare completed its first patient transport using extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO)—a lifesaving therapy for people with severe heart or lung conditions.

Taking Flight with Lifesaving Technology

For months, Wellstar teams prepared for this moment. Perfusionists, cardiovascular surgeons, flight crews and many others came together to ensure that patients who need ECMO could safely and quickly receive it—even when ground transportation was improbable or impossible.

Their work paid off. This month, AirCare One lifted off with its first ECMO patient on board. The crew worked quickly to stabilize the critically ill cardiovascular patient and minimize bedside time at the referring hospital. Once in the air, they successfully transported the patient to the ECMO center.

“The AirCare and ECMO teams made this success possible through countless hours of planning, education, crew resource management, dry runs, training flights and simulations,” said Zack Lancaster, executive director of Air Medical Transport. “The program is safe, efficient and ready, and it will be a game-changer for many.”

A friendly image of ECMO

What Is ECMO?

ECMO is an advanced therapy that supports patients with serious cardiac or pulmonary conditions such as heart attack or pneumonia. By temporarily taking over the work of the heart and lungs, ECMO gives the body time to heal after trauma, organ failure or in preparation for major surgery.

Wellstar Kennestone and Wellstar MCG Health Medical Centers are among the few facilities in Georgia with the expertise and technology needed to provide this advanced treatment.

Expanding Access to Care

The successful AirCare transport marks an important milestone for Wellstar—and for the communities we serve. With the ability to rapidly transport ECMO patients by helicopter, more people across Georgia can reach lifesaving care when they need it most.

“This mission represents a new chapter for AirCare—not only as Wellstar’s dedicated critical care transport team, but also as a trusted regional partner in ECMO patient care,” Lancaster said.

Following the transport, leaders at the referring hospital praised the AirCare team for their professionalism and expertise, noting that Wellstar is now their first choice for advanced cardiovascular ICU and cardiac support transport.

Learn more about Wellstar AirCare.

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Health Connect South 2025

Newsroom

Health Connect South Brings Augusta University, Medical College of Georgia and Wellstar Leaders Together on Better Healthcare for All of Georgia

Healthcare leaders gathered at Health Connect South to discuss the key healthcare challenges and opportunities facing medical institutions nationwide. Wellstar President and CEO Candice L. Saunders, Augusta University President Dr. Russell T. Keen and Medical College of Georgia Dean Dr. David Hess spoke with 11Alive's Cheryl Preheim about advancing healthcare throughout Georgia. They highlighted how investing in cutting-edge facilities and rural hospital collaborations helps meet the unique needs of communities across Georgia.

At the heart of this partnership is a shared goal: making sure every person, in every part of Georgia, has access to high-quality, personalized care. Whether it's through strengthening rural hospitals, expanding digital health options or bringing care directly to patients via telehealth, the organizations are working together to improve access to care and rethink what healthcare can look like.

"As we look to the future, we are keeping our eye on how the role of technology is still revealing itself. It is very exciting as we continue to work together and bring the strength of academic research and clinical expertise to our community," said Saunders.

One example already making a difference? The Wellstar Digital Care Network is improving rural hospitals’ access to cardiology, stroke and pediatric subspeciality services across the state, enabling Georgians in rural areas to receive care closer to home.

And that's just the beginning. By blending the deep clinical expertise and medical records data, this collaboration is helping to develop innovative care models that improve health outcomes.

“Combining our forces to leverage the clinical data and research capabilities that we have can translate to better health outcomes for people across the entire state. Being able to offer more clinical trials for Georgians is certainly an early win. We are truly doing more together than we could have in our own arenas,” said Keen.

Improving access to care and growing Georgia's healthcare workforce are top priorities. Medical College of Georgia is already one of the largest medical schools in the country. With more than 350 teaching sites and four regional campuses, it trains future doctors, nurses and healthcare professionals where they're needed most, and about half of new physicians establish their practices where they train. That means more providers in more places—ready to meet the state's growing and changing needs.

Georgia's healthcare challenges are real, from aging populations to rising rates of chronic illnesses like diabetes and hypertension. The state faces some significant hurdles. AU, MCG and Wellstar are collaborating to expand care and use data in more innovative ways to get ahead of these issues, not just respond to them.

Keep reading
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