Wellstar Community Outreach

Robotic surgery has transformed how surgeons care for patients with new innovations yet again. At Wellstar, continued investment in advanced technology is helping elevate surgical care across specialties—giving patients the option to have more precise and less invasive procedures that are easier to recover from.

“Technology continues to advance to provide newer and safer alternatives to treat our patients,” said Dr. Aaron Bolduc, a general surgeon at Wellstar MCG Health Medical Center. “As we adopt this new technology, we are able to lead the way in patient care with excellent outcomes.

Wellstar has expanded its robotic surgery program with the addition of the Da Vinci 5 robotic surgical system—also known as the DV5—at most locations, along with new applications for single-port surgery. These innovations build on years of robotic experience while helping clinicians deliver world-class care and train the physicians of the future.

Fast recoveries

The latest technologies continue to redefine what’s possible in surgery, including even shorter hospital stays and faster recovery timelines.

Dr. Jay Singh, Wellstar chief surgical officer and a colon and rectal surgeon, said significantly smaller incisions make a big impact: “That is potentially huge from the standpoint of patient satisfaction, decreased pain, quicker recovery time, a decrease in narcotics used and a quicker return to work.”

The impact is so great that some robotic procedures that previously required a few nights in the hospital are now being done as outpatient procedures, allowing patients to recover in the comfort of their homes.

DV5: A new level of precision

The DV5 represents a significant step forward in robotic surgery—notably for surgeon awareness and control. One of its most notable advancements is force feedback: “The ability to sense hard and soft tissue during robotic surgeries is a game changer,” said Dr. Julie Chang, an obstetrics and gynecology specialist. She was the first surgeon to use the DV5 system at Wellstar Cobb Medical Center.

“Surgeries will be even more precise and efficient with this tool, which will further reduce post-operative pain and make recovery time faster,” said Dr. Chang.

The machine’s sensory feedback means surgeons can apply the exact amount of pressure needed.

“The DV5 allows the surgeon to sense how much push-or-pull force they apply to delicate structures in the body,” said Dr. Fritz Jean-Pierre, a bariatric surgeon at Wellstar Kennestone Regional Medical Center. “Less strain means less trauma and potential injury, leading to faster patient recovery.”

Wellstar’s robotic program is grounded in decades of experience, combined with a commitment to adopt best‑in‑class technology.

“Having performed robotic surgery for well over 20 years, I started with the very first Da Vinci surgical robot,” said Dr. Scott Miller, Wellstar director of robotic surgical services and a urologist at Wellstar North Fulton Medical Center. “I was amazed when that came around, but I never cease to be amazed by every advancement. Now we have introduced the DV5 model to most Wellstar locations with 10,000 times processing power.”

With that comes enhanced visualization, instrument responsiveness and precision across a wide range of procedures.

“The DV5 is ideal for many urologic procedures, such as prostate and kidney removal, bladder surgery and urinary tract reconstruction,” Dr. Miller said. “The improved range-of-motion and visualization features help us protect healthy tissues and nerves.”

Leaders from Augusta University and the Medical College of Georgia visited Wellstar Kennestone Regional Medical Center June 24 to highlight the continued growth of a metro Atlanta training program focused on preparing the next generation of physicians—and to hear directly from the students experiencing it.

The visit, part of Augusta University President Russell T. Keen’s Summer Tour, included conversations with third- and fourth-year medical students completing clinical training at the MCG Atlanta campus. Leaders checked in on student progress and gathered feedback on their day-to-day experiences working alongside physicians in one of the state’s busiest hospitals.

For Adrian Bozocea, a third-year medical student and a 2020 graduate of Wheeler High School, the experience carries special meaning. He was born at Wellstar Kennestone.

“It’s a crazy, full-circle moment, knowing that the culmination of my hard work has allowed me to serve in the community that’s built me up and made me who I am,” he said.

Bozocea said training in a familiar community adds a personal connection to patient care.

“It’s a nice feeling knowing you’re helping someone who has potentially served you at a restaurant or helped you find an item in a store,” he said.

Students at Wellstar Kennestone rotate through multiple specialties and locations as part of their training. Bozocea has already completed rotations in family medicine and obstetrics and is now in internal medicine, describing the experience as both rigorous and rewarding. He said what sets the Atlanta campus apart is its strong culture of learning.

“Every clinician is great at teaching. They’re passionate about what they do, and there’s a real culture of learning here,” he said.

Since opening in 2025, the Wellstar Kennestone campus has expanded its reach and capabilities. Dr. Louis Lovett, associate dean of the campus, said the program has strengthened its faculty by appointing Wellstar physicians to clinical teaching roles and adding new electives in surgical and medical subspecialties to complement six core rotations required of all students.

“We’re building a comprehensive training environment that prepares students to meet real-world healthcare needs,” Dr. Lovett said. “By combining strong core rotations with expanded electives and simulation-based learning, we’re giving them the skills and confidence to step into practice ready to care for patients.”

Dr. Lovett has also taken a hands-on approach with students, Bozocea said, frequently checking in and helping connect them with physicians in their areas of interest.

“He’s dedicated to students and passionate about his job,” Bozocea said.

Students gain experience across disciplines, including internal medicine, surgery, pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, neurology and psychiatry, while also training in simulation labs that allow them to practice procedures and patient interactions in a supervised setting.

Several students training at Wellstar Kennestone have ties to Cobb County and have expressed interest in returning to the area after graduation—an outcome leaders say reflects the value of training physicians in the communities they may one day serve.

For Bozocea, that path feels especially fitting: a future physician gaining hands-on experience in the same hospital where his own story began.