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Article Category: Highlights

Wellstar Team Members Voted Best of Cobb

Published on April 14, 2023

Last updated 08:35 AM April 14, 2023

Illustration of group of people. Wellstar and Best of Cobb logos

The care teams at Wellstar are dedicated to enhancing the health and well-being of everyone we serve, and we thank our team members for their commitment to world-class care. We also thank Cobb residents for trusting the expertise of Wellstar to keep their families healthy and provide them with more than healthcare, PeopleCare.
Several Wellstar team members have been voted among the Best of Cobb:

  • Bruce Alayof, MD
    Wellstar Center for Cardiovascular Care
    Best Cardiac/Vascular Specialist, Second Place

  • Kyle Brown
    Wellstar Health Place
    Best Personal Trainer, Second Place

  • Ryan Breshears, PhD
    Wellstar Clinical Psychology
    Best Psychologist, Second Place

  • Ryan Cantwell, MD
    Wellstar Internal Medicine
    Best Family Physician, First Place
    Best General Practice Doctor, Second Place

  • Kozue Cunningham
    Wellstar Health Place
    Best Massage Therapist, First Place

  • Diedre Greene, MD
    Wellstar Pediatrics
    Best Pediatrician, Second Place

  • Amy Gross
    Wellstar Outpatient Rehabilitation
    Best Physical Therapist, First Place

  • Ashish Kapila, DPM
    Wellstar Podiatry
    Best Podiatry, Third Place

  • Amy Kewin, MD
    Wellstar Pediatrics
    Best Pediatrician, First Place

  • Keisha McClure
    Wellstar Health Place
    Best Massage Therapist, Third Place

  • Eduardo Molinary, MD
    Wellstar Pulmonary Medicine
    Best Pulmonary Medicine, Third Place

  • David Parks, MD
    Wellstar ENT
    Best ENT Specialist, First Place

  • Dhaval Patel, MD
    Wellstar Center for Cardiovascular Care
    Best Cardiac/Vascular Specialist, Third Place

  • Daniel Saade, MD
    Wellstar Pediatrics
    Best Pediatrician, Third Place

  • Carolyn Smallwood, DO
    Wellstar Primary Care
    Best General Practice Doctor, First Place
    Best Family Physician, Second Place

  • Randall Webb, MD
    Wellstar OB/GYN
    Best OB/GYN, Third Place

  • Wellstar Atherton Place
    Senior Living and Memory Care
    Best Nursing Home, Third Place

  • Wellstar Health Place
    Best Fitness Center/Gym, First Place

  • Wellstar Health Place
    Best Yoga/Barre/Pilates Studio, Third Place

  • Wellstar Health Place
    A Healthier You- Medical Fitness
    Best Weight Loss Clinic, Third Place

  • Wellstar Pediatrics at 3707 Largent Way
    Best Pediatric Group, First Place

  • Wellstar Pediatrics at 760 Kennesaw Avenue
    Best Pediatric Group, Second Place

  • Wellstar Pediatrics at 121 Marble Mill Road
    Best Pediatric Group, Third Place

Tags

Bruce Edward Alayof Ryan Edward Breshears Ryan Victor Cantwell
Ashish Kapila Amy Bishop Kewin Eduardo Jose Molinary David Leonard Parks Dhaval Girish Patel Daniel Nathan Saade II Carolyn R Smallwood Health Place West Cobb Medical Center - 3707 Largent Way NW KenMar Pediatrics - 760 Kennesaw Avenue NW Cobb Medical Center Kennestone Regional Medical Center Acworth Health Park Behavioral Health Heart Care KidCare Primary Care Pulmonary Care Senior Health Womens Health
Related Articles
Runners take their mark on the track. Text reads XanderCare.

PeopleCare

XanderCare

Xander Garanzuay, a long-distance runner, never imagined his high school track meet would end with him being airlifted to the hospital. But when a discus struck him in the head, he suffered a depressed skull fracture and needed emergency surgery.

Thanks to the quick action and collaboration of Wellstar Kennestone Regional Medical Center's trauma and neurosurgery teams, Xander is now back to running. His story highlights the resilience of the human body, the strength of family and the impact of expert care.

A sudden accident

After finishing the 2-mile race at a track meet in Cartersville, Xander stayed to support his Woodstock High School teammates. When he was ready to go home, he texted his parents.

A few moments later, everything changed. While tossing a ball with his friend, Xander ran to retrieve it—just as a discus struck him in the head.

The discus hit Xander on the left side of his head with such force that he fell unconscious. Xander began seizing—his condition was critical. While his friend raced to notify their coaches, Kelly, Xander’s mom, had arrived to pick him up.

“I’m sitting out front texting Xander, ‘I’m here,’ when emergency vehicles start pulling up,” Kelly said. “Then my husband called—‘Xander’s been hit.’”

Kelly stayed with Xander as EMS evaluated him. “He was awake but not coherent,” she noted. They determined he would need to be airlifted to Wellstar Kennestone, a Level I Trauma Center.

Life-saving surgery

Xander was swiftly transported to Wellstar Kennestone, where the trauma team was ready to act. Upon arrival, Wellstar Neurosurgeon Dr. Phillip Parry assessed the severity of Xander’s injury: a depressed skull fracture causing seizures.

“The discus is a large weight—picture a five-pound Frisbee—that is flung through the air,” said Dr. Parry. “Thankfully, Xander’s skull protected his brain, but he essentially sustained a ballistic injury to the skull.”

The impact to the left side of Xander’s skull left him with a fixed-focus neurologic deficit. His right arm—his dominant arm—had no muscle strength, and his right leg was weak.

Dr. Parry performed an emergency craniotomy to remove the bone pressing on Xander’s brain. The surgery was successful, but the road ahead was uncertain.

“The biggest challenge wasn’t the surgery itself—this is something we do every day,” he said. “It was telling a 16-year-old and his mother that we didn’t know whether he would regain function in his dominant arm.”

Kelly had to trust in the care Xander was receiving. “You don’t know what you’re going to do in that situation. Nothing prepares you,” she said. “I had to have faith that he was in the right hands—and he truly was.”

Steady progress

The day after Xander’s surgery, Wellstar Kennestone’s physical and occupational therapy teams began working at his bedside to restore movement in his non-functioning arm and leg.

“You want to do everything you can to optimize the body’s ability to heal,” said Dr. Parry. “It was important that we provided that environment for him.”

Xander’s positive attitude and determination played a crucial role in regaining function. His dad, Xavier, was amazed by his son’s resilience.

“He was so proactive and driven to get better,” Xavier said. “It was inspiring to watch.”

Still, sometimes the reality of what happened sank in. “He woke up one night and said, ‘I could have died,’” his mom remembered. “I told him, ‘Yes, but you didn’t.’ He said, ‘God must have something really special planned for me.’”

Xander applied the same fortitude from running to each step of his healing. “Sometimes you can be your own worst enemy, but you can also be your biggest supporter,” he said. “If you don’t believe in yourself, how can anyone else believe in you?”

Care that made a difference

Xander spent six days at Wellstar Kennestone before being transferred to inpatient rehabilitation. The support from Wellstar’s care team made a lasting impact.

They were there for whatever we needed—compassionate and always listening to Xander’s needs,” Kelly said.

One night during his stay, Xander woke needing help to get to the restroom. When a nurse arrived, he suddenly began seizing. “I’ve never seen eight nurses in a room so quickly,” his mom recalled. “Everyone knew exactly what to do.”

One poignant moment came when Xander’s family had the discus—now a symbol of victory over his injury—signed by his care team.

“It’s rewarding as a physician to know that I played a small part in restoring his ability to use his arm again,” Dr. Parry reflected. “As a parent, I know the anxiety that comes with the uncertainty of neurologic recovery. To see Xander move his arms and legs again, as if nothing happened, is a relief that’s indescribable.”

The power of community

Xander’s recovery was supported not only by his family and Wellstar care team, but also by his school and community. After the accident, his track team dedicated the next meet to him, with “Run for Xander” wristbands and signs. A teammate also started a GoFundMe campaign, which raised nearly $13,000 to help with the family’s medical expenses.

“People from all over came together for Xander,” Xavier said. “Posts on his team’s Facebook page were shared with running clubs from Canada to Miami. We were blown away.”

Xander was especially touched by the support. “This whole experience showed me how much my family loves me,” he said. “Seeing my friends, teachers and even family from Texas come to help—it meant so much.”

A bright future

After two and a half weeks of inpatient rehabilitation, Xander transitioned to outpatient rehab and continued regular follow-ups with Dr. Parry at the Wellstar Neurosurgery clinic. “At each phase, he received the best possible care,” explained Dr. Parry. “That’s why he had such a great outcome.”

Today, Xander is almost fully recovered and back doing what he loves most—running. “Physically and mentally, he’s doing phenomenal,” Kelly said. “He has his own training program. I am so proud of him.”

Xander’s progress wouldn’t have been possible without the trauma care network that supported him every step of the way. “The benefit of the trauma network can’t be overstated,” Dr. Parry said. “It ensures people get the best possible outcome even on their worst day.”

With expert care and determination, Xander is ready for whatever comes next.

Learn more about Trauma Services and Neuro Care at Wellstar.

XanderCare collage
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Highlights

Personalized Breast Care Close to Home at Wellstar North Fulton

By Wellstar Breast Surgeon Dr. Laura Pearson

I have never met a woman who enjoyed getting mammograms, including myself. They can be uncomfortable, awkward and anxiety-provoking—especially if you have had scares in the past or are at high risk for getting breast cancer.

There are so many additional resources for risk reduction and surveillance available that go hand-in-hand with mammograms. At Wellstar, reducing your risk and screening for cancer starts with a physical from your primary care doctor.

If you are at average risk of developing breast cancer, you should begin annual screening mammograms at age 40. If you have a family history or other risk factors, your doctor may recommend earlier or more frequent screening. If something is detected on a mammogram, the Wellstar Comprehensive Breast Health Program has nurse navigators who will help arrange diagnostic imaging, biopsy procedures and referrals to breast specialists. If you are diagnosed with cancer, the compassionate and oncology-trained nurse navigators with Wellstar Cancer Care walk patients through diagnosis, evaluation, treatment and beyond.

If you’re diagnosed with breast cancer, your treatment and care will transition from our Comprehensive Breast Health Program to the Wellstar Cancer Care team. In Wellstar STAT Clinics, which stands for Specialty Teams and Treatment, we put you at the center of your care plan. In our STAT Clinic for Breast Cancer, the care team, including breast oncology nurse navigators, surgeons, medical and radiation oncologists, nutritionists and genetic counselors, will meet with you and your support system on the same day to formulate a treatment plan personalized to your specific cancer, as well as your personal and cultural needs. Patients are able to ask questions, make decisions and start treatment sooner, improving outcomes.

Many times, surgical intervention can be done as an outpatient procedure. We can also offer some people intraoperative radiation therapy, or IORT—the option of doing their radiation treatment in the operating room at the same time as their lumpectomy, meaning they are able to avoid four to six weeks of radiation treatments. Any other interventions, such as chemotherapy or radiation, including our CyberKnife for treatments like targeted partial breast radiation therapy, are found in the cancer center on Wellstar North Fulton’s medical campus. We have physical therapists, social workers and palliative care specialists who are there for you if the need arises.

Your Wellstar care team can also help you reduce your risk of developing breast cancer. Being overweight or obese or being a smoker can increase your risk. Patients at Wellstar have access to our Center for Best Health to assist in weight management. We also have smoking cessation programs and dietitians waiting to help you make healthier choices that can positively impact your health.

Wellstar provides more than healthcare, PeopleCare—working relentlessly to exceed national standards and our patients’ expectations while remembering the humanity of every patient. We are here for all the situations and stages of our patients’ lives by offering the tools and resources to be healthy and thrive. Wellstar clinicians live in the communities we serve. We must get physicals, mammograms and biopsies. We need help being our healthiest selves. We get sick and have family members who need compassionate care. PeopleCare means offering our patients world-class healthcare in the communities where they live and work.

Your care team can put your mammogram order in Wellstar MyChart to book online, or you can schedule by calling (678) 581-5900.

Visit wellstar.org/northfultoncancercare to learn more about cancer care at Wellstar North Fulton.

Keep reading
Smiling child with backpack and notebooks

Highlights

Marking Milestones with Wellstar Pediatricians

Because you and your child share the same goal—staying healthy and happy—your Wellstar pediatrician will partner with you both. Regular pediatric check-ups are beneficial for the whole family. Your family’s pediatrician will serve as a knowledgeable, trustworthy contact for all your health questions.

As children prepare for the new school year, one step families can take to stay healthy is to head to the pediatrician for an annual check-up.

“Children grow and change so much in their first few years of life,” said Wellstar Pediatrician Dr. Andrew Doyle. “Therefore, it is very important they see their pediatrician every few months during this time.”

In early childhood, your family should see a pediatrician regularly, with check-ups at these ages:

  • The first week (3 to 5 days old)
  • 1 month old
  • 2 months old
  • 4 months old
  • 6 months old
  • 9 months old
  • 12 months old
  • 15 months old
  • 18 months old
  • 2 years old (24 months)
  • 2 ½ years old (30 months)

Starting at age 3, children and adolescents should see their pediatrician once a year through age 21, when they can switch to an adult primary care physician to continue their care.

Healthy kids at every age

Your family’s pediatrician will get to know you and your child, personalizing care as they grow. Check with their doctor to ensure your kids are up to date on their immunizations and protected from disease. Flu shots are also recommended every year for everyone at least six months old.

  • Ages 3 to 5. Preschool-age children stay busy conquering milestones like climbing, taking turns, showing affection for others and learning shapes and colors. The pediatrician will ask if you have any concerns and discuss your child’s health, including eating habits and activity levels.
  • Ages 5 to 12. At this age, your child is growing quickly—a little more than 2 inches a year—but your Wellstar clinician will help you and your child keep up with the changes. Nutrition is especially important at this age as your child goes through their growth spurts. Sometime between the ages of 7 and 11 in girls, and 9½ to 13½ in boys, children start experiencing hormonal changes, and your family’s pediatrician can help your child stay healthy, both physically and mentally.
  • Teens. At this age, patients may have their own questions about their health and will have the opportunity to speak with their pediatrician alone. A check-up will include a physical exam, hearing and vision tests, and lab work like blood tests. The exam will likely include several screenings such as checking for scoliosis, measuring blood pressure and listening to the heart with a stethoscope. 

To get your child all set for a healthy school year, visit wellstar.org/kidcare to learn more about our expert pediatricians and book an appointment online.

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