Article Category: PeopleCare

ScottCare

Published on March 03, 2022

Last updated 01:10 PM March 04, 2024

Every day, Scott Hullihen’s gaze falls on a very unique piece of art hanging in his home.

To the untrained eye, the spiraling streaks across the canvas could be mistaken for an abstract painting in a museum. But for Scott, it holds a much deeper, personal meaning: hope for a cancer-free future.

A closer look reveals a puzzling QR code in the corner of the print and, when scanned, it plays the very voicemail from his Wellstar radiation oncologist that got him through the most difficult days in his cancer journey.

“The picture is his voice in soundwaves. I get to see it every day,” said Scott. “It’s the most thoughtful thing I’ve ever seen in my entire life.”

The ebbs and flows of the piece show how he conquered the highs and lows of his difficult rectal cancer diagnosis, with support from Wellstar as the constant through it all.

Just like the highly personalized art print, his expert team of physicians formed a tailored care plan for Scott, right down to his DNA.

Together with his Wellstar team, Scott beat cancer and is back to living life to the fullest.

A surprising diagnosis

Scott was a typical guy in his 30s, working in technology and spending time with friends and family.

“Everything was normal,” he said. “I’d go to sporting events or concerts.”

But his diagnosis of colorectal cancer at just 35 years old was anything but typical.

“That was shocking,” he said.

In 2020, Scott’s stomach started hurting—and it didn’t stop. He started eating better and cut certain ingredients from his diet. He regularly rode his bike for 15 miles.

“I was getting in good shape!” he said.

But the pain continued, with an urgency to use the bathroom, constipation and blood. His doctor referred him to a gastroenterologist for a colonoscopy in August. Immediately after the procedure, he learned there was a tumor in his colon.

“It was a quiet car ride,” Scott remembered sitting silently next to his mother, who had driven him there.

That Friday, a biopsy confirmed it was cancer. Scott was immediately referred to the Wellstar Rectal Cancer Multidisciplinary Program, the first and only treatment center in metro Atlanta accredited by the National Accreditation Program for Rectal Cancer (NAPRC), a quality program by the Commission on Cancer.

Getting the highest level of rectal cancer care

After the weekend, Scott met with Dr. Sahir Shroff, a cancer surgeon.

“People raved about how good a surgeon Dr. Shroff is—I learned he was one of the best in the state,” Scott said. “He saved my life.”

The board-certified and fellowship-trained surgical oncologist reassured Scott.

“This is one of the most subspecialized rectal cancer programs in metro Atlanta,” he said. “Every person with rectal cancer is reviewed at our multidisciplinary meeting to provide the highest level of care.”

Select doctors are designated to stage and treat rectal cancer patients following evidence-based guidelines. The team includes colorectal surgeons, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, gastroenterologists, pathologists and radiologists. Higher experience in treating rectal cancer leads to better outcomes for patients.

Scott also had a nurse navigator coordinate his cancer staging and treatment. Nancy Page answered questions and scheduled important appointments, such as CT scans and MRIs as well as meetings with various specialists.

A licensed Wellstar genetic counselor was also on Scott’s team. Amy Ekwurtzel found that Scott had two genetic abnormalities that make him slightly more susceptible to colorectal cancer. This information gave the team additional clues about the best way to care for Scott.

Don’t be afraid. Make an appointment. It’s uncomfortable to get a colonoscopy, and hopefully, they don’t find anything bad. But get it checked.

- Scott Hullihen

Wellstar Colorectal Cancer Survivor

Listen to Scott's Story

A compassionate call

That Friday, Scott consulted with Dr. Olusola Obayomi-Davies, a radiation oncologist. He also had an MRI of the rectum and CT scans of his chest, abdomen and pelvis at Wellstar East Cobb Health Park to see if the cancer had spread.

Dr. Davies knew stress and anxiety are common for people waiting for test results.

“It was a holiday weekend, and I wanted to tell him as soon as possible so he could enjoy his weekend,” Dr. Davies said.

Before he could drive his truck out of the parking lot, Scott received a voicemail from Dr. Davies who said the cancer didn’t appear to be in other parts of the body—excellent news. “It was the best voicemail I ever got!” Scott remembered. “It was a relief. I could have filled up a bucket I cried so much.”

Chemotherapy, a challenging game-changer

After the team reviewed Scott’s imaging, pathology and colonoscopy results, they staged his cancer and created a personalized treatment plan. A new evidence-based treatment called Total Neoadjuvant Therapy (TNT) was recommended, calling for chemotherapy followed by radiation combined with chemotherapy before surgery.

“The benefit of having chemotherapy first is that it shrinks the primary cancer in the rectum and addresses microscopic cancer that we can’t see in the body,” explained Dr. Michael Andrews, Scott’s medical oncologist and chief cancer officer at Wellstar.

Scott received chemotherapy through IV infusion treatments every other week plus continuous infusion. Extreme fatigue, nausea and weight loss made him want to quit. Dr. Andrews was sympathetic but encouraged him to keep going with the goal of a cure. He added IV fluid and steroids to Scott’s infusion treatments to ease the nausea.

Scott felt better and completed his chemotherapy course on December 16, 2020.

“I rang the bell—everyone clapped,” he remembered.

Best of all, a CT scan showed the tumor had shrunk by 80%.

“I couldn’t believe the difference!” he said. “I could go to the bathroom. There was no more pain.”

Did radiation make the tumor disappear?

Scott began external beam radiation therapy, paired with a low-dose chemotherapy pill to optimize the effectiveness of radiation. Dr. Davies used volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) to precisely contour radiation targets into unusual shapes while minimizing toxicity.

“Dr. Davies kept it real,” Scott said. “He was cool in the way that he talked to me—not like a doctor, like a friend.”

This time, the CT scan showed that the tumor had disappeared. However, Scott still needed surgery.

“When we finish someone’s treatment, it looks like all the cancer is gone,” Dr. Davies explained. “But there can still be microscopic cancer that doesn’t show up on the scan. Surgery is important.”

Robotic surgery for a long, cancer-free life

In April, it was time for Scott to have complex rectal cancer surgery at Wellstar Kennestone Regional Medical Center. Dr. Shroff guided a da Vinci Surgical System robot to make five small incisions and peer into Scott’s abdomen with magnified cameras. The minimally invasive technology allowed Dr. Shroff to remove part of Scott’s rectum with precision. Two months later, Scott returned to the hospital so Dr. Shroff could reconnect his healed colon.

After surgery, Scott’s pathology found no evidence of cancer anywhere in the colon, rectum or lymph nodes.

“That’s about the best news you can ever give,” said Dr. Davies.

Scott said he couldn’t have gotten this far without his healthcare team—and the overwhelming support of his family.

“After my surgery, I was in the hospital for eight days and my mother was there everyday,” Scott said. “She is a saint and I couldn’t have done it without her. My dad, sister and my brother-in-law would visit often. Without their continued positive support during the entire process, it would have been so much more difficult.”

Advocating for good health

Scott sometimes advises and comforts acquaintances who are newly diagnosed.

“I say trust the process. The doctors and nurses at Wellstar are absolutely amazing—I can’t say enough good things about them,” he said.

He also jokes that he’s “lucky” to have annual colonoscopies. He encourages friends with symptoms to talk to their doctors about symptoms without delay.

“Don’t be afraid,” Scott said. “Make an appointment. It’s uncomfortable to get a colonoscopy, and hopefully, they don’t find anything bad. But get it checked!”

Scott and his girlfriend standing in front of the canvas art piece featuring the call from Dr. Davies.

The gift of a second chance

Today, Scott works in the telecommunications field, is active and spends time with friends and his girlfriend.

On his first chemotherapy completion anniversary, Scott’s girlfriend surprised him with a blue-ribbon cake (the colorectal cancer awareness color) and his unique, personalized piece of artwork.

He unwrapped three canvas art pieces displaying a zig zag and a QR code, which he scanned with his phone. His favorite voicemail—the one from Dr. Davies telling him his cancer was contained—played back.

As for what’s next? Scott’s healthcare team at Wellstar will continue to monitor his health so he can live his longest, fullest life.

“For some reason, I got a second chance, and I’m going to make the best of it,” he promised.

Learn more about the Wellstar Multidisipinary Program for Rectal Cancer—the first and only center in metro Atlanta to have the NAPRC accreditation.

Benefits of genetic testing

1. Understanding the cause of cancer

One of the most common questions from patients newly diagnosed with cancer is, "Why did this happen to me?" While many cancers are the result of environmental factors, aging and sporadic mutations, genetic testing can offer a more definitive answer. For patients with hereditary cancer, knowing their cancer is genetically driven can help ease feelings of uncertainty and guilt.

For many, this knowledge brings a sense of empowerment, as they now have the opportunity to make informed decisions regarding their treatment and potential preventive measures for the future. This hereditary cancer risk was present since birth, and there was very little if anything the patient could have done differently throughout their life to prevent their diagnosis.

2. Personalized treatment options

For patients with cancers like breast, ovarian, pancreatic and prostate, identifying genetic mutations (like BRCA mutations) can open the door to personalized therapies. The earlier in the diagnostic process the genetic test is ordered, the quicker the patient can be matched with appropriate treatments.

Knowledge of genetic mutations can also guide surgical decisions. Patients with BRCA-positive breast cancer may be candidates for risk-reducing mastectomy or salpingo-oophorectomy—both of which can lower the risk of future cancers. These decisions are most effective when genetic results are available before surgery.

3. Identification of additional cancer risks

Cancer does not always occur in isolation, especially in patients with hereditary cancer syndromes. For instance, patients with Lynch syndrome, a leading cause of colorectal cancer, are also at increased risk for uterine cancer—up to 60%. If identified before a colon resection, this knowledge could allow a hysterectomy at the same time if necessary, minimizing the risk of a second cancer and optimizing care.

Beyond immediate cancer treatment, genetic testing can also lead to additional screenings that might otherwise be missed. For example, the ATM gene is a known contributor to prostate and breast cancer. But patients with an ATM gene mutation are also at elevated risk for pancreatic cancer. While general population screening is not typically recommended, high-risk patients should begin annual imaging and/or endoscopic ultrasounds as early as age 50 or 10 years before the earliest known pancreatic cancer in their family.

4. Informed decisions for family members

A cancer diagnosis doesn’t only affect the patient—it impacts their entire family. Once a genetic mutation is identified, relatives can undergo testing to assess their own cancer risk and talk to their care teams about screenings.

Testing the affected patient first is the most informative strategy for relatives. Patients with negative genetic test results can be reassured that relatives are not at significant risk for the same diagnosis.

The role of genetic counseling in cancer care

Genetic counselors provide the expertise necessary to interpret complex genetic results, discuss the implications for patients and their families, and offer psychological support throughout the process. Genetic counseling not only helps patients make sense of their genetic test results, but also provides them with the tools to make informed decisions about their health.

Counseling also helps address the emotional and psychological aspects of genetic testing, from potential feelings of anxiety to guilt and even empowerment. Research shows that genetic counseling has a positive impact on patient knowledge, reduces anxiety and can improve overall psychological well-being during a cancer journey.

Learn more about genetic counseling at Wellstar.

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Depicts Wellstar Kennestone Regional Medical Center Yellow Tower

Newsroom

Wellstar Kennestone Expands Care with New Tower

Communities across Cobb County and Metro Atlanta are growing quickly—and so is the need for world-class healthcare.

The new Yellow Tower at Wellstar Kennestone Regional Medical Center is helping meet that need. The nine-story, 235-bed patient tower expands hospital capacity, strengthens specialty care and enhances the patient experience through state-of-the-art technology and spaces that support healing.

Opening to patients April 15, 2026, the tower represents a $400 million investment in the future of healthcare for the region—helping ensure families across Georgia can access expert care when and where they need it.

Expanding capacity and advancing care

The approximately 300,000-square-foot tower increases acute care capacity and strengthens key service lines, including cardiology, neurology, oncology and surgery. Dedicated units for cardiac critical care, surgical care, neurological care and medical oncology allow care teams to deliver advanced treatment in environments built for each specialty.

The new tower also introduces a next-generation neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and enhanced neonatal services, expanding care for our smallest patients. A dedicated Women’s & Children’s entrance improves access and reinforces family-centered care.

"This tower is more than a new building—it reflects our commitment to providing extraordinary care for people across the Southeast,” said Ketul J. Patel, Wellstar president and CEO. “Wellstar Kennestone has become a destination hospital, with a Level I Trauma Center and nationally recognized specialty programs, including one of the best heart programs in the country. This investment allows us to serve more patients, support families during life’s most important moments, and give our teams the space and tools they need to deliver safe, high-quality care to every person, every time. When someone needs advanced care, they can find it at Wellstar.”

Technology that supports care

Every element of the Yellow Tower was designed with patients, families and care teams in mind.

All adult patient rooms are private, offering greater comfort and functionality. Natural light, sound-reducing features and adjustable lighting and privacy controls create a calm, quiet setting. Durable antimicrobial materials support infection prevention and help maintain a clean, safe space.

Throughout the new tower, smart-room technology keeps patients and care teams connected. Interactive digital whiteboards in each patient room display real-time care information, including medications, care team details and daily treatment plans.

Smart technology also supports patient safety. Remote monitoring allows trained team members to observe patients who may be at risk of falls or other complications. Virtual nursing helps coordinate admissions, discharges and documentation so bedside nurses can focus on direct patient care.

Other advanced capabilities—including AI-assisted monitoring and virtual rounding—enhance the care experience by helping identify risks earlier, improving decision-making and extending access to expert providers.

These advancements are especially impactful in high-acuity areas like neurology and neurosurgery.

“Expanding our neuro beds allows us to bring advanced technology and specialized brain and spine care directly to more patients,” said Frances Van Beek, assistant vice president of neuroscience and trauma services at Wellstar. “Because many of these services aren’t widely available, this growth helps ensure patients across Georgia can access the expert care they need.”

Specialized care for newborns and families

The Yellow Tower includes a 49-bed next-generation NICU designed to care for infants who are premature or critically ill while supporting families during a challenging time.

The new unit emphasizes natural light, quiet healing spaces and advanced monitoring technology that promotes healthy growth and development.

A centralized Milk Lab prepares fortified human milk, donor milk and prescribed formulas to meet the unique nutritional needs of infants in the NICU. The unit also includes six couplet care rooms, allowing mothers and babies receiving specialized care to remain together—encouraging bonding during treatment.

This focus on family-centered care reflects Wellstar’s commitment to supporting people at every stage of life—ensuring families have access to compassionate, specialized care when they need it most.

Hospitality-inspired dining experience

Under the patient tower, a new 22,000-square-foot kitchen powers a hospital-wide in-room dining service that blends restaurant-quality meals with clinical nutrition.

Patients can order meals when they’re ready to eat during service hours, with breakfast favorites available throughout the day. This model gives people greater choice and flexibility during their stay.

“We designed this program to give patients more control over their dining experience—so they can order what they want, when they want it,” said Ben Behimer, director of nutrition and food services at Wellstar Kennestone. “Our goal is to create a more personalized, restaurant-style experience that reflects the same level of quality and care patients expect across our hospital.”

Visitors and team members can also enjoy retail dining, including Mountainside Bistro—which features seven food concepts—and Wellbean Coffee, along with expanded indoor and outdoor seating.

The new kitchen and dining areas are over 50% larger than the previous space and feature dual production lines, allowing teams to prepare fresh meals efficiently for everyone they serve.

Rapid access when minutes matter

Wellstar Kennestone plays a critical role in caring for patients with serious injuries and complex conditions across Georgia. The hospital is verified as a Level I Trauma Center by the American College of Surgeons and designated by the Georgia Department of Public Health—the highest level of trauma care available.

The new tower strengthens that capability. Expanded helipads and integrated flight paths connect the hospital directly with the Wellstar AirCare network, helping ensure patients can reach advanced care quickly.

Dual heavy-lift helipads support high-volume air medical operations, while overlook spaces within the tower provide views of the surrounding campus.

Wellstar AirCare operates a 24/7 air ambulance service with helicopters based in Augusta and south of Metro Atlanta. Care teams provide lifesaving care during transport, including whole blood transfusions for severe blood loss and support for patients requiring extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO).

Built for the future of care

The Yellow Tower was designed to adapt to evolving healthcare needs. Entire floors can be converted to negative pressure environments, allowing the hospital to respond quickly during infectious disease outbreaks or other public health emergencies.

The new tower also enhances Wellstar Kennestone’s ability to provide exceptional care every day—from welcoming babies to supporting people through cancer treatment and recovery. It ensures the hospital can continue caring for the community with the level of excellence people expect while preparing for what’s ahead.

Learn more at wellstar.org/kennestone.

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Celebrating the ribbon-cutting at Wellstar's newest cancer care facility in Cartersville, Georgia

Newsroom

Wellstar Expands Cancer Care in Cartersville

CARTERSVILLE, Ga. — Community members, local officials and healthcare leaders gathered to celebrate the ribbon cutting of Wellstar’s newest cancer care facility, marking a significant milestone in expanding oncology services for Bartow County. The facility began seeing patients Feb. 23, but the event offered the community its first look inside the expanded space and an opportunity to recognize the teams behind the project.

The nearly 15,000-square-foot building doubles local infusion capacity and adds space for chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy and other medical oncology ervices. The facility features 15 exam rooms, three triage rooms, 28 infusion chairs, eight blood draw stations, a dedicated laboratory, an on-site compounding pharmacy, and expanded areas for clinical consultations and care coordination.

“This new facility is part of our commitment to expanding access to compassionate, high-quality care across the Southeast,” said Ketul J. Patel, president and CEO of Wellstar Health System. “For the people who call Bartow County home, that commitment means advanced cancer treatment where they live, delivered by a team supporting them every step of the way.”

The new location expands cancer care with Wellstar and partners in care Northwest Georgia Oncology Centers, enabling access to the latest therapies and strengthening collaboration among oncologists, advanced practice providers, pharmacists and support teams. In Cartersville, a dedicated team of two medical oncologists and four advanced practice providers now delivers personalized treatment plans tailored to each patient’s diagnosis. Patients also have access to supportive services, including genetic counseling, financial navigation and education with a clinical pharmacist.

Collage of staff and facility photos of Wellstar's cancer care facility in Cartersville, Georgia

“This space was designed with our patients’ needs in mind,” said Dr. Michelle Ojemuyiwa, a Wellstar oncologist and hematologist who practices in Cartersville. “With more room, additional infusion chairs and an on-site compounding pharmacy, we can care for more patients efficiently while maintaining the personalized, attentive approach they expect throughout their treatment.”

The new Wellstar cancer care facility is located at 65 Cloverleaf Drive in Cartersville.

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