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Wellstar Physicians Named as “Top Doctors” in Atlanta Magazine’s 2021 List

Cardiologist Dr. Mindy Gentry featured on cover; Nearly 80 Wellstar physicians chosen by peers

Published on July 01, 2021

Last updated 10:05 AM July 01, 2021

Illustration of two physicians with Wellstar and Top Doctors logos

Wellstar Health System has announced that Atlanta magazine recognized 79 Wellstar physicians on its 2021 "Top Doctors" list in the July issue. This list is compiled annually from nominations by physicians whom they consider to be among the top experts in their region for their medical specialty. The number of Wellstar doctors named to the distinguished list increased 14% from 2020 to 2021.

"As a community-based, non-profit health system, Wellstar physicians are focused on providing high-quality patient-centered care to everyone who comes through our doors," said Dr. John Brennan, executive vice president and chief clinical integration officer of Wellstar Health System. "Wellstar is extremely proud of the doctors recognized by this prestigious list published annually by Atlanta magazine, as well as all of our team members, who are committed to delivering outstanding care to every person, every time."

Atlanta magazine's "Top Doctors" list is compiled by Castle Connolly Medical Ltd., a leading healthcare research and information company founded to help consumers reach America's top doctors and hospitals. Physicians are nominated by their peers and selected after a rigorous screening process that reviews professional, educational, and patient care excellence. The final list with detailed information about the doctors’ education, training, and medical expertise is included in Atlanta magazine's July 2021 issue. Below is the complete list of Wellstar physicians who were honored on the 2021 list.

Atlanta Magazine cover

1. John Vickery, Allergy & Immunology

2. Grace Chiang, Allergy & Immunology

3. Narendra Kanuru, Cardiac Electrophysiology

4. Jacob Blatt, Cardiac Electrophysiology

5. Anand Kenia, Cardiac Electrophysiology

6. Mohammad Kooshkabadi, Cardiac Electrophysiology

7. Bryan Piedad, Cardiac Electrophysiology

8. Michael Riley, Cardiac Electrophysiology

9. Ayushi Ahuja, Cardiovascular Disease

10. Bruce Alayof, Cardiovascular Disease

11. Mindy Gentry, Cardiovascular Disease

12. Barry Mangel, Cardiovascular Disease

13. Janice Warner, Dermatology

14. Jennifer Jones, Dermatology

15. George Dobo, Dermatology

16. Jodi Ganz, Dermatology

17. Michael Collins, Diagnostic Radiology

18. Jean Molinary, Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism

19. Israel Orija, Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism

20. Rolf Meinhold, Family Medicine

21. George Brown, Family Medicine

22. Thomas Gearhard, Family Medicine

23. Sachin Goel, Gastroenterology

24. Jeffrey Hines, Gynecologic Oncology

25. Mark McBride, Hand Surgery

26. Edward Holliger, Hand Surgery

27. Joel Isom, Internal Medicine

28. Ebon Bourne, Internal Medicine

29. Amber Driskell, Internal Medicine

30. Chukwuma Onyeije, Maternal & Fetal Medicine

31. Daniel Eller, Maternal & Fetal Medicine

32. Jay Cinnamon, Neuroradiology

33. Angela Hudson, Obstetrics & Gynecology

34. Carlos Alarcon, Obstetrics & Gynecology

35. Elizabeth Taghechian, Obstetrics & Gynecology

36. Mary Chappell, Obstetrics & Gynecology

37. Kimberly Huffman, Obstetrics & Gynecology

38. Terry Kelley, Obstetrics & Gynecology

39. Colleen Killian, Obstetrics & Gynecology

40. Natalie Needham, Obstetrics & Gynecology

41. Elizabeth Street, Obstetrics & Gynecology

42. Jerry Berland, Ophthalmology

43. Mark Berman, Ophthalmology

44. Monica Bratton, Ophthalmology

45. Charles Ho, Ophthalmology

46. Denise Johnson, Ophthalmology

47. Robert Titelman, Orthopedic Surgery

48. Erroll Bailey, Orthopedic Surgery

49. Stephanie Martin, Orthopedic Surgery

50. Tapan Daftari, Orthopedic Surgery

51. Robert Kelly, Orthopedic Surgery

52. Douglas Lundy, Orthopedic Surgery

53. Raymond Schettino, Otolaryngology

54. Roy Schottenfeld, Otolaryngology

55. David Parks, Otolaryngology

56. David Gale, Pain Medicine

57. Larry Clements, Pediatrics

58. Christian Williams, Pediatrics

59. Richard King, Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation

60. M Keith Hanna, Plastic Surgery

61. K. Keith Jeffords, Plastic Surgery

62. William Dowdell, Pulmonary Disease

63. Russell French, Pulmonary Disease

64. Jody Hughes, Pulmonary Disease

65. Eduardo Molinary, Pulmonary Disease

66. Keith Rott, Rheumatology

67. Kelly Weselman, Rheumatology

68. Chris Andersen, Surgery

69. Philip Ramsay, Surgery

70. Richard Myung, Thoracic & Cardiac Surgery

71. Theolyn Price, Thoracic & Cardiac Surgery

72. Kevin Windom, Urogynecology/Female Pelvic Medicine & Reconstructive Surgery

73. Scott Miller, Urology

74. Murphy Townsend, Urology

75. Thomas Murphy, Vascular & Interventional Radiology

76. Alan Zuckerman, Vascular & Interventional Radiology

77. Arun Chervu, Vascular Surgery

78. Shariq Sayeed, Vascular Surgery

79. Steven Oweida, Vascular Surgery

From survival to summit

After David did the hard work of fighting cancer twice and feeling like recovery was truly sailing along, he set a new goal. David and one of his daughters, Madeline Hawkins, completed a hiking and camping trip that included summiting Blood Mountain in North Georgia. They covered 14 miles, camping overnight and making friends along the trail.

Fully loaded with walking sticks, packs on their backs and huge smiles, David and his daughter head out for a multiple day hiking excursion.

The hike wasn't easy.

“I forgot you have to be half mountain goat!” he quipped.

David moved at his own pace and pushed through lingering fatigue. Reaching the summit’s stunning vista at Preacher’s Rock was a reminder of how far he had come since his cancer diagnosis.

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Male and female head and neck cancer specialists stand together looking at a chart and discussing the best treatment for a complex case of head and neck cancer.

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Wellstar PeopleCare | Beating Cancer Twice with Coordinated Care

David Butler’s cancer journey began when he underwent treatment for an aggressive head and neck cancer. Supported by his family, faith and a team of head and neck cancer specialists, he had part of his jaw removed and went through radiation therapy and intense rehabilitation.

A major setback

The same year of his jaw surgery and initial radiation course, David’s recovery was beginning to feel like “smooth sailing.” Just as life started to feel manageable again, he faced an unexpected challenge.

David and his wife, Jill, got devastating news: routine follow-up imaging revealed three new tumors on the other side of his neck and tongue. Dr. Fiyin Sokoya, David’s cancer surgeon, removed lymph nodes from David’s neck, had them biopsied and confirmed that it was an aggressive cancer.

At first, David felt so discouraged that he didn’t want to move forward with treatment.

However, seeing that a group of experts were working together to give him the best, evidence-based treatment path for his unique circumstance gave him confidence to renew his fight against cancer.

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David Butler stands, smiling, with Dr. Fiyin Sokoya, a dual board-certified head and neck cancer specialist and facial plastic surgeon at Wellstar.

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David Butler's cancer journey took him through a rare jaw reconstruction, radiation and coordinated care from specialists across Wellstar. His care team collaborated to provide what he needed as quickly and efficiently as possible.

A bothersome mouth sore

Lean and energetic, David is quick with a joke and even quicker with a smile. A neatly trimmed mustache frames a grin that lights up his blue eyes, illuminating his trademark optimism and humor. They’re qualities he kept intact throughout cancer treatment and draws on today, when he encourages people who are newly diagnosed with cancer.

It started with a sore on his gum in the fall of 2023. He assumed it would heal on its own. Instead, it got worse. When he could hardly swallow a few months later, his dentist referred him to an oral surgeon for a biopsy. That’s when he got the life-changing news: it was cancer.

“You hear the big C and it scares you to death,” David said. “But there's light at the end of the tunnel. There's always hope.”

What followed was cancer treatment involving surgery, radiation, chemotherapy and support from a whole team of cancer specialists. Along the way, David said he leaned on his faith, the support of his wife, Jill, who he credits as his biggest advocate—and the expertise of Wellstar caregivers.

David Butler grins standing next to his wife Jill, who he credits as his biggest advocate throughout treatment.

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Wellstar Physicians Named as “Top Doctors” in Atlanta Magazine’s 2021 List

Cardiologist Dr. Mindy Gentry featured on cover; Nearly 80 Wellstar physicians chosen by peers

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Wellstar Physicians Named as “Top Doctors” in Atlanta Magazine’s 2021 List

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