Not one health journey is the same. That's because people—their health, their bodies, their stories—are all different.
At Wellstar, we know the most important factor in every health decision—you. That’s why we provide personalized care for everyone, whether that’s discussing with your primary care provider daily changes you can make to improve your wellness, navigating a difficult diagnosis with an effective treatment plan or emergency surgery to save your life.
We're here for everyone; for Frank and Llen Ryan, who have received comprehensive, multi-specialty care through all the ups and downs so they can live longer and stronger.
We're here alongside Johnny "Bow" Matthews, who improved his health through diet and exercise after having a heart attack, and for his wife Deidra who delivered two healthy babies. We lead the charge for a two-time heart attack survivor Brett Faucett and his whole family.
Wellstar is more than healthcare
Published on February 03, 2020
Last updated 05:02 PM September 14, 2020
I was working out at Health Place when my heart monitor became sporadic. I got frightened, and called Dr. Simonoff.
- Frank Ryan
AFib, Cancer and Parkinson's Survivor
Real People. Real Stories.
Wellstar is 23,000+ team members strong, has 11 hospitals, over 250 medical offices, 15 urgent care centers and 5 health parks, each housing comprehensive primary care and specialty services. That’s a lot of numbers… but we are one health system dedicated to caring for you.
At Wellstar, your journey to better health matters. You’re not a number. You’re not a diagnosis. And at Wellstar, we would never treat you that way.
Wellstar is more than healthcare. It's PeopleCare.
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PeopleCare
GregCare
“My wife and I are blessed to live on this land,” Greg Rodgers said. “God instructs us to be good stewards of the land and we are dedicated to doing just that. We’re always mowing, planting and tending to fallen trees.”
Much like their acreage, Greg sees his body as something that deserves to be maintained with care. And he’s an advocate that other men do the same. Seeing a doctor regularly and getting screened can help identify conditions earlier so they’re more treatable. Greg learned that from his personal experience with prostate cancer, and the team at Wellstar West Georgia Medical Center who helped him overcome it.
“It’s not so much my story as the story of the professionals at Wellstar—they’re tremendous people,” he said.
The right tests for an accurate diagnosis
Prostate health is not something to ignore. Greg understands this now after a routine PSA test—a simple blood test—came back abnormal in 2020. When PSA levels are checked regularly and rise over time, they can be a sign of prostate cancer.Because of his elevated PSA, Greg began monitoring his prostate health and eventually, connected with Wellstar Urologist Dr. Richard Jadick in LaGrange. Dr. Jadick performed a UroNav fusion biopsy to investigate his climbing PSA. During the procedure, an MRI helps accurately target the biopsy location. This biopsy has a low false negative rate, meaning the results are more trustworthy than in the past. Greg’s results came back positive for prostate cancer.
Pursuing personalized, expert care
Because every case of prostate cancer is different, there are a range of options for treating it, from active surveillance (monitoring with imaging) to advanced treatments like robotic surgery and targeted radiation therapy that have fewer side effects than traditional treatments.Greg and Dr. Jadick discussed several options, but before Greg made any decisions, Dr. Jadick recommended he see Dr. Robert Taylor, a Wellstar radiation oncologist.
Greg remembers having reservations about radiation therapy. But once he arrived for the appointment, he felt immediately at ease. “Dr. Taylor is a quiet, confident person with a kind smile,” he said. “He was really good at explaining everything, going through studies and the different procedures. He’s so methodical, so good at answering questions and so patient.”
The option they settled on was a high dose of targeted radiation aimed at the prostate during a shorter treatment course (20 days versus 44). A newer technology called SpaceOAR Hydrogel would separate the rectum from the prostate during treatment, preventing unnecessary radiation exposure—and side effects.
“When it comes to choosing the right treatment, everything is a balance between the risk level and a variety of other personal factors,” Dr. Taylor said. “We want to provide treatment that is the least disruptive and most effective.”
To be sure this was the best plan for Greg, Dr. Taylor requested a second opinion from Mayo Clinic. Wellstar experts have a direct connection to Mayo Clinic specialists through its Mayo Clinic Care Network membership. Wellstar physicians and patients can access eConsults—virtual second opinions—at no additional cost to patients.
Some additional imaging was recommended, which validated Dr. Taylor’s treatment plan. Greg moved forward with his cancer treatment with pure confidence.
PeopleCare
RalphCare
Douglasville, Georgia resident Ralph Aiken experienced a motorcycle accident in April of 2022. The 82-year-old was thrown 10 feet in the air and another 20 feet down into a hole, suffering a broken left leg below the knee. As part of his healing, Aiken worked closely with Dawnette Waters, Wellstar Physical Therapist, to rebuild muscle in the injured leg.
One fateful day while at therapy, the U.S. Army veteran suffered cardiac arrest. Due to the quick actions of Waters and members of the adjoining Wellstar Outpatient Cardiac Rehab center, EMTs were able to revive Aiken and rush him to Wellstar Douglas Medical Center, where Wellstar Interventional Cardiologist Dr. Cheryl Robertson found the cause of the cardiac event — 95% blockage of an artery. Dr. Robertson immediately inserted an atrial stent. Mr. Aiken has felt healthy since the surgery and is grateful for the team at Wellstar who saved his life.
“Wellstar is very well-operated and efficient, and the doctors, the nurses and the therapists are top-notch. I wouldn't be here if it hadn't been for the therapy staff,” Aiken says, choking up.
In early March of this year, Aiken enthusiastically reunited with his entire care team at Wellstar. Smiles and hugs were the mood of the day, as each recalled the events that led to Aiken still being with us to enjoy life.
Today, Aiken continues to exercise and is proud of his active lifestyle, despite his age. “Look at me. How many 82-year-old men have a 34-inch waist and an arm muscle like that?” he says, showing off his impressive bicep.
PeopleCare
TomCare
When COVID forced everyone to spend more time at home, Tom Murphy decided he wouldn’t sit around idle. At 62, he upped his regular activity to work out with his son, daughter and daughter’s fiancé — college athletes who kept him in top shape.
Tom’s go-to workout was a long walk in a hilly East Cobb neighborhood. He and the kids also played a lot of pickleball.
About a year in, Tom noticed a physical change.
“I was playing fewer games of pickleball at a time and making it only halfway through my walks,” he said.
Tom turned to his cardiologist, who, with the help of specialized imaging offered at Wellstar Kennestone Regional Medical Center, created a personalized action plan.
Getting answers with the help of HeartFlow
During Tom’s annual appointment with his Wellstar Dr. George Kramer, he shared his concerns about his symptoms.
“I do sports with my kids, and I’m short of breath,” Tom said.
The physician requested a cardiac CT (CCTA), the new standard for detecting heart disease, according to the American Heart Association. It can be more accurate than treadmill stress tests and is less invasive than cardiac catheterization.
“Results of the initial CT showed two blockages,” Dr. Kramer said. “One blockage was 67%, one was 75%, and we decided to follow up with further analysis using the HeartFlow test.”
Because Wellstar was the first HeartFlow Platinum site in Georgia, the cardiology staff were able to create a personalized, 3D model of Tom’s coronary arteries to check on blood flow. HeartFlow is a fractional reserve assessment that looks at how each blockage impacts the heart. Previously, this in-depth view of the heart could only happen with a more invasive procedure.
According to Dr. Kramer, the test itself has been “a godsend” since it makes it possible for patients to avoid invasive tests while still getting important — and potentially lifesaving — information about their hearts.
HeartFlow revealed the blood flow to Tom’s heart was significantly compromised.
Tom and his 91-year-old mother stand together for heart health.