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Article Category: Newsroom

Wellstar Experts Demonstrate the Latest Robotic Technologies Used in Lung Cancer Care

Published on March 08, 2024

Last updated 12:22 PM May 24, 2024

Dr. Timothy Udoji, Wellstar interventional pulmonologist, explains how the Ion bronchoscopy works and how to safely conduct the procedure.

Only 3.8% of those at high risk for cancer in Georgia are screened, according to the American Lung Association’s 2023 State of Lung Cancer report. To help enhance awareness and share the latest robotic technologies with healthcare professionals and community members, Wellstar held a Lung Cancer Showcase February 21 at the Atlanta Marriott Northwest in Cobb County. The event was held in a mobile laboratory with mock operating rooms and robotic surgical systems.

During the event, attended by several medical experts, Dr. Theolyn Price, Wellstar thoracic surgeon, and Dr. Timothy Udoji, Wellstar interventional pulmonologist, demonstrated how they use the Ion robotic bronchoscopy and da Vinci Xi surgical robotic system consecutively under a single anesthesia event to locate, biopsy and treat patients with early-stage lung cancer.

As she demonstrated how to control the da Vinci robot’s spider-like arms to perform surgeries, Dr. Price said, “See how I can use this clutch to move my arms up and down?” From there, she explained in detail how she cut away the cancerous tissue.

Dr. Udoji told participants how he uses the Ion robotic navigation bronchoscopy system to perform biopsies on potentially cancerous lung tissue, “This blue line shows exactly the pathway leading to the nodule inside the patient’s lung.”

The Ion robotic bronchoscopy system has safety features that ensure the instrument does not cause complications in other parts of the lung. Physicians can navigate and biopsy nodules in almost any part of the lungs.

Surgery is just one part of the treatment journey for some patients. Wellstar oncology nurse navigator Pam Plasket said, “We are dedicated to removing barriers to care and treatment. We promptly schedule appointments, connect patients to financial assistance and social support resources, and address transportation, housing and food insecurity needs.”

Wellstar nurse navigators know that shortening the journey for the patient is key and provides personalized care. At the Wellstar Specialty Teams and Treatments (STAT) Clinic, the goal is to move lung and esophageal cancer patients from diagnosis to initiating treatment within 14 days, which is facilitated by the multidisciplinary team of experts individualizing their care.

“It’s a privilege to help them. They have all my contact information and can reach out to me, and so can their caregivers,” Plasket said.

In addition to nurse navigators, several other teams were present to share information, including genetics, screening and lung cancer care. At Wellstar, patients have access to a suite of integrated services encompassing incidental lung nodule management, dedicated lung cancer screening and multidisciplinary lung cancer clinics (STAT Clinics).

Dr. Bill Mayfield, medical director of the Wellstar incidental lung nodule and lung cancer screening programs, explained, “Our goal is to broaden Wellstar’s ability to find lung cancers early and save more lives.” Additionally, patients with lung nodules not diagnosed with cancer but at high risk are monitored through regular lung cancer screening CTs or serial chest CTs if they do not qualify for lung cancer screenings.

Showcasing technologies and sharing the strengths of a comprehensive lung cancer program is just one step the team takes to enhance awareness of this unique and special program, available to all patients, from early detection to advanced treatment. Lung Cancer Awareness Month is held in November, but the team continues to increase outreach efforts year-round to build connections with consumers and educate the communities we serve.

You may learn more about the Ion robotic bronchoscopy and da Vinci Xi surgical systems online and read about our expert approach to comprehensive lung cancer at wellstar.org/lungcancer.

Left photo: Pam Plasket, Wellstar oncology nurse navigator, spoke with participants at the recent Lung Cancer Showcase. Right photo: Dr. Theolyn Price, Wellstar thoracic surgeon, explains how she uses the da Vinci robotic system to perform lung surgeries.

Left photo: Pam Plasket, Wellstar oncology nurse navigator, speaks with participants at the recent Lung Cancer Showcase. Right photo: Dr. Theolyn Price, Wellstar thoracic surgeon, explains how she uses the da Vinci robotic system to perform lung surgeries.

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Theolyn Nan Price Timothy Nnaemeka Udoji Media Room
Cancer Care Pulmonary Care
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Highlights

Out of Sight, Still a Threat

Five years ago, you probably had hand sanitizer in your car, a thermometer in your bag and a mental checklist for every sniffle. That was life during COVID. But these days? It’s easy to forget what once felt urgent.

The same thing happens with men’s health—especially prostate cancer. For a brief moment, maybe after a friend was diagnosed or during a Movember campaign, it’s top-of-mind. But if nothing seems wrong, it quickly slips to the back burner.

That’s a problem—because prostate cancer doesn’t wait until you’re ready.

At Wellstar, we see too many men surprised by late diagnoses. Why? Because they felt fine. Because they had no symptoms. Because they believed some version of the same three myths:

“Prostate cancer doesn’t kill men.”

Actually, it’s the second leading cause of cancer death in men. When caught early, it’s highly treatable. But when ignored, it’s dangerous.

“I don’t have symptoms, so I’m good.”

Most early-stage prostate cancers are completely silent. No pain, no urinary issues, no warning. That’s why screening matters.

“Testing leads to side effects.”

Screening doesn’t mean treatment. A prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test is a simple tool that helps guide the next steps. Many men with slow-growing cancers don’t need surgery—just monitoring. For those who do need treatment, options are far more precise and less invasive than they used to be.

Still, fear or discomfort around the prostate keeps many men from checking in until it’s too late. We get it. It’s not the most glamorous part of the body—but it’s vital.

Think of it this way: you’d never ignore a lump on your neck or blood in your stool. Why ignore the most common cancer in men (besides skin cancer) just because it’s not visible?

Our team at Wellstar makes prostate cancer screening simple, discreet and personalized. We’re here to talk through your family history, explain your risks and offer guidance without pressure. Whether it’s time for a PSA test, a digital exam or just a conversation, we meet you where you are.

Remember: ignoring prostate cancer doesn’t make it go away. It just makes it harder to treat. Learn more about prostate cancer care at Wellstar.

Ready to take action?

Find a urologist near you and book your appointment online. What’s out of sight shouldn’t be out of mind.

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A parent and young child look at a tablet together.

Highlights

A Pediatrician’s Guide for Parents on Children and Screen Time

The Weekly Check-up Atlanta


Dr. Joanna Dolgoff, Wellstar Children’s of Georgia pediatrician and author of the bestselling book “Red Light, Green Light, Eat Right,” uses her “no time, some time, never all the time” philosophy to provide families with guidance around screen time.

At nearly every wellness visit, Dr. Dolgoff talks with parents about how to set healthy limits with screen time. “We’re seeing language delays in children from too much screen time,” she explained.

Some signs that children may be spending too much time on social media, gaming or watching videos can include:

  • Aggression
  • Difficulty handling boredom without a screen
  • Trouble connecting with peers
  • Sleep disruption
  • Poor focus in school
  • Withdrawing from hobbies or activities they once enjoyed

Dr. Dolgoff’s advice? Parents should follow expert recommendations and know the difference between learning-focused content and pure entertainment. “You want to know what your kids are doing on their screens, and you want to know how long they’re doing it for,” she said.

Troubling trends in children’s media habits

Common Sense Media is a nonprofit organization that advocates for children’s health in the digital age. Its most recent survey of the digital habits of children 8 and younger showed that by age 2, 40% of children have their own tablet. By age 4, that number climbs to 58%.

The survey also found that 1 in 5 children use mobile devices during meals, at bedtime or to cope with emotions.

Dr. Dolgoff stresses that parents must monitor and regulate their children’s digital use across all platforms. Yet the same survey shows gaps in how families co-view content: 62% of parents occasionally watched YouTube with their children, compared to only 17% on TikTok.

The survey also found that screen use varies by income. Children in lower-income households spend twice as much time on screens (3 hours, 48 minutes) as those in higher-income households (1 hour, 52 minutes).

Guidelines for screen time by age

As a spokesperson for the American Academy of Pediatrics, Dr. Dolgoff suggests that parents know and follow the organization’s screen time guidelines for children:

  • Under 18 months: No screen time
  • 18 to 24 months: Only educational content with parents
  • 2 to 5 years: No more than one hour per day
  • 6 years and older: Balanced screen time that doesn’t interfere with family, friends and schoolwork

These guidelines are based on the science of children’s and adolescents’ brain development. abies’ brains begin developing before birth, and the early years of life have remarkably rapid brain development.

What do screen time limits look like?

According to Dr. Dolgoff, parents don’t need to worry if little ones under 18 months use screens for video chats with loved ones like grandparents. But she adds an important distinction: “Content matters. Mindlessly scrolling through TikTok videos is not what we want children doing for hours each day.”

Fortunately, children’s programming has expanded considerably since the parents of today were kids. YouTube Kids, PBS Kids, Netflix, Apple TV and other streaming services serve a variety of programs.

Here are some healthy screen time choices, along with suggested time limits:

  • Toddler (2 to 3 years): Video call with grandparents and 30 minutes of educational programming such as Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood or Sesame Street with parents watching
  • Elementary school (6 to 10 years): Homework on Chromebook or other platform and 30 minutes of YouTube Kids, unstructured outside play and bedtime stories
  • Teens (13 years and older): Homework time and no more than two hours of other screen use for gaming or socializing with friends

While watching shows or movies with children, parents can spark curiosity and critical thinking by asking open-ended questions such as:

  • “What do you think will happen next?”
  • “How would you feel if that happened to you?”
  • “Could this happen in real life?”
  • “How would you have made this better?”

Most importantly, parents should help children see screens as just one part of life—not a substitute for family time, active play or friendships.

Sound screen habits begin with parents

Young children develop social and communication skills by observing, listening, talking (babbling counts!), reading, singing and playing with parents, siblings and others. The American Academy of Pediatrics advocates that parents put down their phones so they can focus on those activities and interactions.

For help, parents can turn to apps designed to monitor their smartphone and tablet use. They can also examine their habits by asking themselves questions such as:

  • “Am I scrolling at the dinner table?”
  • “Am I texting while driving?”
  • “How much are my children watching me use my phone for entertainment?”
  • “Am I setting a good example by having hobbies and interests that don’t involve screens?”

Experts advise ways to set and enforce limits

The American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry and the American Academy of Pediatrics understand the temptations of screens and parents’ difficulty setting limits. Some of their advice for parents:

  • Avoid using screens as pacifiers, babysitters or to stop tantrums.
  • Create tech-free times, with extended breaks and tech-free zones, including the meal table.
  • Learn about and use parental controls on devices, including phones, tablets, laptops and televisions.
  • Make family outings technology-free—and that includes cameras.
  • Remove screens from bedrooms 30 minutes to an hour before bedtime.
  • Set a timer when using a device as a reminder to turn it off or put it away.

Tips for enforcing screen-time limits

It’s in children’s nature to resist when they don’t want to stop doing something pleasant or fun. It’s the parents’ job to stick to the limits they’ve set. Some more ideas for managing children’s reactions to screen-time limits include:

  • Have a designated “quiet spot” for younger children to calm down if they rage after time on a device is up.
  • Offer alternatives after a device is turned off. Those could include playing a board game, reading a book together, playing with a favorite toy or creating an art project.
  • Warn children before their time limit is up.

Resources for parents

  • The American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry on screen time limits, music and music videos, video games, movie and video choice, and screen violence
  • Common Sense Media
  • Google and Apple content about online safety and parental controls
  • Healthychildren.org, a website of the American Academy of Pediatrics
  • know2protect, guidelines for protecting children online from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Keep reading
Wellstar Paulding Medical Center Tower Expansion Groundbreaking 2025

Newsroom

Wellstar Paulding Medical Center Breaks Ground on $300 Million Expansion

HIRAM, Ga. — With shovels in hand and plans in motion, leaders of Wellstar Paulding Medical Center officially broke ground Thursday, September 4, on a $300 million expansion project that will double the hospital’s inpatient capacity and bring new resources to one of Georgia’s fastest-growing regions.

The hospital, which currently operates 112 beds and a busy emergency department with 40 adult and pediatric bays, is nearing full capacity. As Paulding County continues to grow, so does the need for accessible, high-quality healthcare. Wellstar’s expansion aims to meet that demand head-on.

“This is a big moment for Paulding County,” said Wellstar Paulding President Todd Kennedy. “We’re responding to the needs of a growing community and laying the foundation for a healthier future.”

The new hospital tower will be constructed in two phases, with the first phase—opening in November 2027—adding 56 beds, expanding heart and vascular services, and increasing imaging testing capacity. An additional 56 beds will be added by 2029 as part of the second phase.

“We’re building more than just a new tower,” said Robert S. Owens, chair of the Wellstar Paulding Tower Campaign Cabinet and vice chair of the Wellstar Paulding Regional Health Board. “We’re building the future of healthcare in Paulding County.” 

A $20 million parking deck, featuring more than 460 new spaces, is also set to open this November, improving access for patients and visitors.

In recent years, Wellstar has expanded its footprint across Paulding County, adding 69 exam rooms at seven practices across the county to help ease pressure on the hospital and provide more convenient care. Locations in Hiram and Dallas now offer services ranging from primary care and pediatrics to behavioral health and specialty care. Another 46 exam rooms are planned over the next three years.

Wellstar Paulding’s Emergency Department remains one of the busiest in the region, rarely diverting patients despite high volumes. To help manage demand during construction, the hospital has added EMS drop-off spaces, opened a new waiting area for people with less urgent medical needs and created a discharge lounge to free up beds more quickly.

“The newest expansion at Wellstar Paulding is part of our system strategy to expand care across our markets,” said Mary Chatman, executive vice president of acute care operations at Wellstar Health System. “Not only will this provide additional capacity for our Paulding campus, but it will also support our efforts to manage capacity across our footprint.”

Wellstar Paulding has received numerous awards for quality and safety, including the Malcolm Baldridge National Quality Award, Magnet Nursing Facility designation, Leapfrog “A” rating and a CMS 4-star rating for quality.

With approximately 1,900 employees, Wellstar Paulding is also one of the county’s largest employers, playing a key role in both healthcare and the local economy.

Keep reading
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