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I Understand

Wellstar Neurosurgery

1700 Hospital South Drive
Suite 102
Austell, GA 30106
Areas of Focus

Comprehensive care

We collaborate across specialties to recommend the appropriate level of care and create personalized treatment plans. 

Expertise & excellence

Patients can count on care trained to protect the spine—our neurosurgeons are board-certified and fellowship-trained.

State-of-the-art treatments

A range of minimally invasive and complex procedures are available to improve life for patients with neurological conditions.

Close to home

We’re dedicated to bringing compassionate, expert neuro care closer to home for patients and their families.

  • Wellstar Neurosurgery
  • About Us
  • Our Team
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(470) 956-4410 COVID-19 Info

Location


About Us

About Us

People with neurological conditions in South Cobb and nearby communities have access to expert care close to home. Our top-rated neurosurgeons work closely with specialists across the system to provide the most accurate diagnosis and personalized and comprehensive care. Wellstar neurosurgeons collaborate with each other and with experts in other specialties to help patients have the best outcomes.

While brain and spine surgery is our specialty, it is not always our recommended treatment for patients. Sometimes we recommend alternative treatments such as physical therapy and pain management for spine conditions or radiation oncology treatments for brain tumors. When no other treatment path is likely to be successful, surgical solutions for brain conditions, spine disorders and back and neck pain are recommended.

Our neurosurgeons perform a variety of minimally invasive procedures and complex surgeries at Wellstar Cobb Medical Center.

Brain surgery

We care for people with complex brain conditions, including:
  • Primary and metastatic cancer
  • Non-cancerous brain tumors
  • Brain trauma
  • Hydrocephalus
  • Facial pain
  • Stroke

Spine surgery

Our neurosurgeons perform a variety of minimally invasive procedures and complex surgeries, including:
  • Cervical disk replacements and fusions
  • Lumbar diskectomy and laminectomy surgery for low back pain syndromes
  • Peripheral nerve decompression surgery for various conditions, including carpal tunnel syndrome and compression neuropathies
  • Spinal deformity correction surgery
  • Spine trauma surgery
  • Surgery for spinal cord tumors (cancerous and benign)
  • Spine surgery for many other conditions

(470) 956-4410 COVID-19 Info
Meet our Team

Lakietta Culkin-Taylor, NP

Nurse Practitioner with Wellstar since 2016.

Specialties
Neurosurgery
Learn More
Marcus Gates, MD

Neurosurgeon with Wellstar since 2019.

Specialties
Neurosurgery
Learn More
Andrew Middleton, MD

Neurosurgeon with Wellstar since 2021.

Specialties
Neurosurgery
Learn More
Katrina Joyce, NP

Nurse Practitioner with Wellstar since 2015.

Specialties
Neurosurgery
Learn More

Meet our Team

Lakietta Culkin-Taylor, NP

Nurse Practitioner with Wellstar since 2016.

Specialties
Neurosurgery
Learn More
Marcus Gates, MD

Neurosurgeon with Wellstar since 2019.

Specialties
Neurosurgery
Learn More
Andrew Middleton, MD

Neurosurgeon with Wellstar since 2021.

Specialties
Neurosurgery
Learn More
Katrina Joyce, NP

Nurse Practitioner with Wellstar since 2015.

Specialties
Neurosurgery
Learn More

Lakietta Culkin-Taylor, NP

Nurse Practitioner with Wellstar since 2016.

Specialties
Neurosurgery
Education
Master of Science in Nursing

Marcus Gates, MD

Neurosurgeon with Wellstar since 2019.

Specialties
Neurosurgery
Education
Doctor of Medicine
Patient Rating

Dr. Marcus Gates is a neurosurgeon who specializes in minimally-invasive spine surgery, complex spinal disease, neuro-oncology and neuro-trauma.

Dr. Gates first found his passion for medicine after a serious car accident. While being treated, he was moved by the care and commitment of his medical team. In turn, Dr. Gates decided to dedicate his life to restoring patients to better health. As a Georgia native, Dr. Gates represented his home state during his time at Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee. At the prestigious institution, he earned a bachelor's degree in biology and graduated summa cum laude as the valedictorian.

After completing his undergraduate studies, Dr. Gates transitioned to Meharry Medical College where he also graduated as the valedictorian. During his time in medical school, he was drawn to the neurosciences and knew he could make a difference in the field.

Dr. Gates completed his residency at the world-renowned Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, serving as both chief resident and Instructor of Neurosurgery. He is also a member of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS) and American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS).

Every day, Dr. Gates enjoys using his skills to take on challenging and complex neurological cases. However, the most fulfilling part of his work is developing personalized plans for his patients and improving their quality of life.

Andrew Middleton, MD

Neurosurgeon with Wellstar since 2021.

Specialties
Neurosurgery
Education
Medical Education
Patient Rating

Katrina Joyce, NP

Nurse Practitioner with Wellstar since 2015.

Specialties
Neurosurgery
Education
Master of Science in Nursing
Patient Rating

Helpful Information for your next visit.

  • Appointments and Cancellations
  • Directions
  • Insurance and Payments
  • Prescription Refills
  • Printable Office Forms
  • Referrals
  • Neuro Rehabilitation
Appointments and Cancellations
Please call our office to schedule an appointment. If you need to cancel, we ask that you notify us 24 to 48 hours prior to the appointment. If you are more than 15 minutes late, your appointment will need to be rescheduled.

We use an automated appointment reminder system to notify you two days prior to your appointment.

How to prepare for your appointment
  1. It is imperative that you bring copies of all X-rays, MRIs and CT scans that pertain to your condition. Reports alone are not sufficient and a final neurosurgical opinion and recommendation cannot be given without a complete review of all pertinent studies. Please do not rely on referring physicians to send the films.
  2. If possible, please complete new patient evaluation forms prior to your appointment. Forms can be completed either before or at your scheduled appointment.
  3. Please bring copies of all medication lists with you. These lists should include medication name, dosage and frequency.

Directions
There is a parking garage in front of the building. Please expect to pay a fee to park.
Insurance and Payments
Wellstar accepts most medical insurance plans. We work hard to create lasting relationships with insurance companies to ensure you can receive the care you need.

Please call our office if you need help understanding your insurance coverage and financial responsibility.
 
Prescription Refills
Please call your pharmacy to request prescription refills. We respond to the pharmacy within 48 business hours.
Printable Office Forms

Authorization for Release of PHI
Authorization for Release of PHI Spanish
MyChart Adult Proxy
MyChart Child Proxy
MyChart Teen Proxy
New Registration Form
Notice of Privacy Practices Acknowledgement
Notice of Privacy Practices Acknowledgement Spanish
Patient Communication Designation
Patient Communication Designation Spanish
Patient Registration
Patient Registration Spanish
Referrals
For patients
Referrals are not required for appointments, but some insurance companies may require them to cover the visit and associated tests and procedures.

For providers
If you are a physician referring a new patient, please call the main office or send a fax. Wellstar providers can enter a referral in Epic. 
 
Neuro Rehabilitation
After surgery, our patients have access to Wellstar’s best-in-class inpatient and outpatient neuro rehabilitation at Wellstar Cobb Medical Center. Our multidisciplinary rehabilitation teams have neurological-specific training to help patients become as independent as possible and live their lives to the fullest.


Learn more about neurological rehabilitation at Wellstar or find the location nearest to you.
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