Article Category: PeopleCare

PhyllisCare

From screening to surgery with the Wellstar STAT Clinic for Lung Cancer

Published on May 27, 2025

Last updated 01:33 PM May 27, 2025

A healthcare provider checks the lungs of her patient using a stethoscope. Reads "PhyllisCare".

For Phyllis Burgess, staying on top of her health made all the difference. When lung cancer showed up on a routine screening, she was ready—and so was her Wellstar care team.

Proactive primary care

When Phyllis retired after nearly 50 years as a bookkeeper, she looked forward to a slower pace and more time for herself. A breast cancer survivor and former smoker, she also wanted to be proactive about her health.

Encouraged by her Wellstar primary care physician, Dr. David Gose, Phyllis committed to regular lung cancer screening at Wellstar Paulding Medical Center —staying one step ahead of a disease that usually goes unnoticed until it's too late. Wellstar’s lung cancer screening program is a national leader in early detection, offering low-dose CT scans that help detect early-stage lung cancer before clinical signs or symptoms become evident.

Her first three CT scans came back clear. But on her fourth screening, doctors spotted something suspicious.

Quick answers with the STAT Clinic

Phyllis was quickly referred to the Wellstar Specialty Teams and Treatments (STAT) Clinic for Lung Cancer at Wellstar Paulding. The program quickly moves patients through screening to diagnosis and treatment with a multidisciplinary team of experts. Patients with lung and other chest cancers meet with multiple specialists in one place, often on the same day, to reduce delays and improve outcomes.

"Most of the time you don’t get two or three or four or five people on your case from the get-go,” said Phyllis. "But knowing that I had this group of qualified professionals looking at my tests, discussing what we need to do, how best to do it, when to do it—it’s very comforting."

At the Wellstar STAT Clinic, Phyllis’ care team included a thoracic surgeon, medical and radiation oncologists, pulmonologist and nurse navigators, who bring a highly personalized level of guidance and support to each patient and their family members.

"The support staff was just fabulous,” Phyllis said. "They’re like best friends. They’re there for you."

Behind the scenes, her care team was already working in sync to coordinate fast care.

“We plan patients’ appointments ahead of time, ordering multiple tests that will be necessary for the treatment decision-making. These can include PET scans, CT scans, MRIs and/or a pulmonary function test,” said Dr. Daniel Fortes, Wellstar chief of thoracic surgery. "We’re always gaining time in the patient’s overall treatment because we are anticipating and creating a plan as a team."

Dr. Fortes emphasized that timing matters when treating lung cancer. "We have data to show that if we delay treatment, even in early-stage cancers, we do decrease the chance of a cure,” he said. “The goal of the STAT Clinic is to get them the quickest we can into their final treatment plan."

Expert diagnosis and advanced surgery

To diagnose her cancer, Phyllis underwent a robotic bronchoscopy at Wellstar Kennestone Regional Medical Center. The advanced procedure allowed the pulmonary team to examine her lungs and collect tissue samples.

The biopsy confirmed lung cancer. Having already caught one cancer early, Phyllis was grateful she had remained vigilant—keeping up with annual screenings and following through on care every step of the way.

"I am sort of a walking advertisement for early detection," she said. "My mammogram showed up with stage zero breast cancer. And I think they described the lung cancer as 1.1—very early, no metastasis. I’ve been very fortunate. These processes that are there for people to take advantage of saved my life.”

Phyllis returned to the STAT Clinic, where the same team who had evaluated her case before came together again to review her results and finalize her treatment plan.

"Every single patient who comes through our clinic is discussed collaboratively by a group of lung cancer specialists so we can make a fast, informed decision as a team," Dr. Fortes explained. "Because Phyllis had good overall health and an early-stage diagnosis, she was an excellent candidate for surgery.”

Soon after, Phyllis had a lobectomy at Wellstar Kennestone. Dr. Fortes performed the robotic-assisted surgery using the da Vinci Surgical System to remove the affected part of her lung.

"They told me what they would do, what kind of incisions they’d be making and what I could expect in the way of healing," Phyllis said. “So, I went in feeling like this is not some strange, scary process.”

Dr. Fortes noted that complex cancer surgeries are best performed at major centers like Wellstar Kennestone. "Complex cancer care demands a comprehensive structure of care around the patient that includes more than just physicians and technology," he explained. "At the same time, we are continuing to expand our STAT Clinics to bring them closer to people's homes and with the aim of improving access for patients.”

Ongoing care, close to home

Phyllis’ lung cancer surgery took place the day before a snowstorm was forecasted to hit the metro Atlanta area. However, thanks to Dr. Fortes’ minimally invasive techniques—which resulted in less pain, less scarring and less blood loss—she was able to be discharged from the hospital that evening and avoid being stuck at the hospital for several days due to poor road conditions.

Phyllis described her recovery as “easy” and now feels great. She continues her follow-up care for both lung and breast cancer at the Wellstar Women’s Imaging Services at Wellstar Paulding, close to home.

“Wellstar Paulding feels like home, even when I’m dealing with someone who I haven’t met before,” she shared. “Whether it’s the receptionist or the admissions nurse—they’re always very, very friendly and helpful. There’s a family feel to it."

Hope, health and staying vigilant

As she settles into retirement, Phyllis is sharing her story to encourage others to set aside any fear or guilt and talk to their healthcare provider about lung cancer screening.

"Cancers are so insidious. You’re not going to just go, 'Gee, I don’t feel good; it must be cancer,'" she said. "There’s no big warning signs until it’s serious. Early detection is absolutely our best weapon. It’s our best defense.”

Dr. Fortes echoed the importance of early detection. "We can only cure lung cancers if we pick them up in an early stage. That’s why lung cancer is the No. 1 cancer killer in the world,” he said. “The only way we can change that is by diagnosing early. And then they are truly curable.”

Phyllis is thankful for Wellstar’s STAT Clinics that are designed to move quickly when it matters most.

Her advice to others considering treatment at a STAT Clinic? "Please do it. It’s the difference between life and death,” she urged. “At the same time, it’s in an environment where you don’t feel like you’re a sample in a petri dish. These are people, and they’re warm, and they care."

Learn more about who is eligible for lung cancer screening, find a location near you or schedule your lung cancer screening at Wellstar.

Learn more about STAT Clinics at Wellstar.

Cancers are so insidious. You’re not going to just go, 'Gee, I don’t feel good; it must be cancer.' There’s no big warning signs until it’s serious. Early detection is absolutely our best weapon. It’s our best defense.

- Phyllis Burgess

Lung Cancer Survivor

Meeting patients where they are

Instead of patients having to navigate additional appointments, ColoCare Connect partnered with community clinics that were already providing care. These included BWell Medical & Wellness Center, Someone Cares, Bethesda Community Clinic and The Rouse Foundation.

Our partners provided patients with fecal immunochemical tests (FIT kits) that allowed them to complete colorectal cancer screening at home. During the grant period alone, the program distributed 435 FIT kits.

A strong community partner: BWell Medical & Wellness Center

One example of ColoCareConnect’s impact is BWell Medical & Wellness Center, which distributed more than 100 FIT kits and continues to collaborate with Wellstar to help people get screened.

The clinic serves a diverse population that includes working families, the elderly, underserved residents and people living in assisted living or personal care homes.

“Our focus is on accessible, patient-centered care that emphasizes prevention and early intervention,” said Vivian Adu-Aboagye, director of BWell Medical & Wellness Center. “Many of our patients face barriers such as transportation challenges, time constraints or limited access to preventive services.”

The partnership stood out because it offered a practical and patient-friendly solution.

“Many patients delay colon cancer screening due to fear, cost concerns or scheduling challenges related to their colonoscopy,” she added. “The FIT kits provide a convenient option that fits naturally into routine primary care visits.”

Making screening part of everyday care

At BWell, team members speak with patients during their visits to determine if they need colorectal cancer screening. They provide education and distribute kits during appointments, then follow up about returning the kit.

Patients have said they appreciate the privacy and convenience of the kits. Many of them had previously avoided screening due to concerns about invasive procedures or difficulty taking time off work. By removing common barriers, like transportation challenges, scheduling conflicts and fear, patients who may have otherwise skipped their colon cancer screenings were able to get checked.

Building toward healthier communities

ColoCare Connect demonstrates the power of community partnerships in advancing health equity. By equipping trusted local clinics with resources and support, the program expanded access to life-saving screening.

As the program continues, partnerships like these help ensure that more individuals have the opportunity to participate in early detection and receive follow-up care when needed. This ultimately improves outcomes and strengthens community health across the region.

Connecting patients to ongoing support

Screening is an important first step, but access to information and support beyond the clinic is also critical. Community members can use Wellstar Find Help to locate colorectal cancer screening programs, patient navigation services and financial assistance resources available in their ZIP code.

If your screening has an abnormal result, care teams can help coordinate next steps, answer questions about a colonoscopy and identify financial assistance options when needed. By pairing clinic-based screening with community-based support resources, Wellstar and its partners are working to ensure patients do not have to navigate the process alone.

Keep reading

Healthcare provider listens to her patient's heart using a stethoscope

Highlights

How Wellstar’s Cardio-Oncology Program Protects Heart Health During Cancer Care

Cancer treatment can save lives—but for some people, it can also be hard on the heart.

Wellstar's Cardio-Oncology Program provides specialized care to address this risk. The program offers cancer-focused heart care that helps protect cardiovascular health before, during and after treatment.

Our cardio-oncology experts support people with cancer who have heart disease, are at high risk for heart problems or are receiving therapies that may affect heart function. By monitoring heart health and coordinating care, we help people receive the most appropriate cancer treatment while reducing the risk of heart complications.

Expertise in heart disease and cancer care

Researchers have identified a connection between cancer care and cardiovascular health, leading to the creation of cardio-oncology. At Wellstar, this specialized care is available in metro Atlanta and Augusta, expanding access for people across Georgia.

“Cardio-oncology exists because more people are surviving cancer and living long enough to face heart-related complications,” said Dr. Avirup Guha, a board-certified cardio-oncologist at Wellstar Georgia Cancer Center and the first designated fellow of the International Cardio-Oncology Society in Georgia. “For some patients, cancer treatments can damage their heart. For others, they may have existing cardiovascular disease that needs careful management during cancer care. That requires expertise beyond cardiology—knowing how to modify therapy without causing harm.”

Cardio-oncologists are cardiologists with advanced training in how cancer therapies affect the heart. They help guide treatment decisions and work closely with oncology teams to ensure patients receive safe, effective care.

“A lot of oncology treatments are very effective for cancer, but the heart can become an innocent bystander,” said Wellstar Cardio-Oncologist Dr. Nikolas Krishna, who also specializes in advanced heart failure and transplant cardiology. “We advocate for these patients so their oncology and cardiology teams work together for the best possible outcome.”

Coordinated, team-based care

Multidisciplinary collaboration is central to Wellstar Cardio-Oncology. Cardiologists, oncologists, nurse navigators and other specialists communicate directly to align care and support both cancer outcomes and heart health.

“Our program helps address complications before they happen and streamlines care so people aren’t going back and forth between specialists,” Dr. Guha said.

Wellstar Cardio-Oncology teams partner with patients and families to understand risks and create a personalized plan. This may include imaging, blood tests and ongoing monitoring to detect early signs of heart conditions during chemotherapy, hormone therapy or radiation.

Additionally, Wellstar Cardio-Oncology nurse navigators—registered nurses with advanced training—provide compassionate guidance throughout the care journey.

“Nurse navigation plays a key role in educating patients and making sure they .understand their care plan,” said Dr. Guha. “It’s all about communication.”

Who can benefit from cardio-oncology care

Cardio-oncology care supports people from diagnosis through survivorship, especially when treatments or existing conditions may affect heart health.

You may benefit from cardio-oncology services if you have cancer or were treated for cancer within the past five years and you:

Have heart failure or another existing heart condition
Are at high risk for heart disease
Have experienced cardiovascular complications after cancer treatment
Require chemotherapy that may be cardiotoxic or radiation therapy to the chest

Some cancer treatments can weaken the heart muscle or alter heart function, making monitoring and early intervention essential. Therapies known to affect the heart include anthracyclines, platinum-based chemotherapy, HER2-targeted therapies, tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) and fluoropyrimidines.

“Too often we see patients years after treatment when heart problems have already developed,” Dr. Krishna said. “By screening earlier and seeing patients upstream, we can prevent disease rather than treat it after it occurs.”

Support that extends into survivorship

When cancer treatment ends, Wellstar Cardio-Oncology teams continue monitoring heart health and providing preventive care tailored to each person’s history.

“Survivors may face accelerated cardiovascular risks years later,” said Dr. Krishna. “By continuing to screen and monitor, we can help catch any issues and protect their long-term health and quality of life.”

This ongoing care gives patients greater peace of mind as they navigate recovery.

“We want patients to know we are a layer of reassurance,” Dr. Krishna said. “They don’t have to worry about treatment hurting their heart—we are here to protect it so they can focus on healing.”

By combining advanced expertise, early monitoring and compassionate support, Wellstar’s Cardio-Oncology Program helps people face cancer with confidence.

Learn more about cardio-oncology services at Wellstar.

Keep reading

PhyllisCare

From screening to surgery with the Wellstar STAT Clinic for Lung Cancer

Proactive primary care

Quick answers with the STAT Clinic

Expert diagnosis and advanced surgery

Ongoing care, close to home

Hope, health and staying vigilant

Tags

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PhyllisCare

From screening to surgery with the Wellstar STAT Clinic for Lung Cancer

Proactive primary care

Quick answers with the STAT Clinic

Expert diagnosis and advanced surgery

Ongoing care, close to home

Hope, health and staying vigilant

Tags

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Meeting patients where they are

A strong community partner: BWell Medical & Wellness Center

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Connecting patients to ongoing support

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Expertise in heart disease and cancer care

Coordinated, team-based care

Who can benefit from cardio-oncology care

Support that extends into survivorship