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Wellstar Orthopedics & Sports Medicine

Your favorite activities make everyday life your own, and bone or joint pain can keep you sidelined. At Wellstar, our skilled and caring team is ready to help you find relief and get back to life with less pain and more freedom.

Orthopedic specialists here offer complete care for all types of bone, joint and soft tissue injuries and conditions. From diagnosis and treatment through rehabilitation and recovery, we’ve got your back.

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Orthopedic Advice for the Weekend Warrior

Wellstar orthopedic surgeon Dr. D. Hodari Brooks shares information about common orthopedic injuries.

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Wellstar and the Atlanta Business Chronicle discuss the changing landscape of orthopedic care.

Table of experts: Advancements in ortho care

Wellstar and the Atlanta Business Chronicle discuss the changing landscape of orthopedic care.

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A friendly image of Hip and Knee Replacement

Hip & Knee Replacement Considerations

Keys to successful joint replacement surgery

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A friendly image of Limb Lengthening

Limb Lengthening and Deformity Correction

Mending the bent and broken

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Man exercising his upper body by stretching his arm

The 5 Dos and Don’ts of Managing Joint Health

Check out this advice for overcoming joint pain and staying at the top of your game.

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Hand Surgery: Precision & Compassion

My journey into the intricate specialty

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Our Team


Jason Andersen, MD
Orthopedic Surgeon
Sameer Badarudeen, MD
Orthopedic Surgeon
Grahm Bahnson, DPM
Podiatrist
Laurel Barras, MD
Orthopedic Surgeon
Stephen Becher, MD
Orthopedic Surgeon
Roshmi Bhattacharya, MD
Orthopedic Surgeon
Jennifer Blanda, MD
Orthopedic Surgeon
Edward Boos, PA
Physician Assistant
D. Hodari Brooks, MD
Orthopedic Surgeon
Jennifer Bruggers, MD
Orthopedic Surgeon
Joseph Burns, MD
Orthopedic Surgeon
Gilbert Chan, MD
Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeon
Brandy Cross, MD
Hand Surgeon
Michael Danaher, MD
Orthopedic Surgeon
James Denmark, DPM
Podiatrist
Jeffrey Donahue, MD
Orthopedic Surgeon
Tonia Dry, PA
Physician Assistant
Ryan Fitzgerald, DPM
Podiatrist
Daniel Holtz, MD
Hand Surgeon
Charles Hopkins, MD
Orthopedic Surgeon
India Hunt, NP
Nurse Practitioner
Rebecca Jackson, NP
Nurse Practitioner
Ashley Jenkins, NP
Nurse Practitioner
Johnna Johnson, PA
Physician Assistant
Peter Johnson, MD
Orthopedic Surgeon
Allison Jones, PA
Physician Assistant
Ashish Kapila, DPM
Podiatrist
Saurabh Khakharia, MD
Orthopedic Surgeon
Eric Kiskaddon, MD
Orthopedic Surgeon
Justin Kunes, MD
Hand Surgeon
Adetayo Lawal, MD
Orthopedic Surgeon
Poh Lim, NP
Nurse Practitioner
Melissa Martinez, DO
Orthopedic Surgeon
Jennie McCarthy, PA
Physician Assistant
David Michaeli, MD
Orthopedic Surgeon
Manish Noticewala, MD
Orthopedic Surgeon
Connor O'Sullivan, MD
Sports Medicine Specialist
Chika Okafor, MD
Orthopedic Surgeon
Eduardo Olmedo, MD
Orthopedic Surgeon
Timothy Oswald, MD
Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeon
Nilay Patel, MD
Orthopedic Surgeon
Scott Pearson, PA
Physician Assistant
Albert Pendleton, MD
Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeon
Michael Priola, DO
Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeon
Michael Quackenbush, DO
Orthopedic Surgeon
Mohammad Qureshi, DPM
Podiatrist
Jeremy Reifsnyder, DO
Orthopedic Surgeon
Jamie Sachs, PA
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Steven Schulenborg, MD
Pediatric Sports Medicine
David Smith, MD
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More Articles
John Elliot smiles after getting control of Parkinson’s symptoms with the Wellstar Parkinson’s and Tremors Program and a procedure called deep brain stimulation (DBS).

PeopleCare

JohnElliottCare

John Elliot was a builder who enjoyed meeting with clients and planning their future homes. But the effects of Parkinson’s disease made it hard for him to meet with clients and live his life. Then he found a new sense of hope thanks to the Wellstar Parkinson’s and Tremors Program and a procedure called deep brain stimulation (DBS). His experience is a powerful testament to the value of comprehensive care and how his neurologists, functional neurosurgeon and nurse navigator helped him rebuild his life. 

Symptoms that were hard to shake

 

John has been building custom homes in Marietta for 45 years—a career defined by personal relationships with his clients. He loves spending time with his family, hunting, fishing and bushhogging the multi-generational family farm.

But in 2015, John’s hands began to shake. A former client and friend who was a retired neurologist recommended he see Dr. Thomas Holmes, a Wellstar neurologist. 

A DaTscan, a type of nuclear imaging test that takes images of the brain, helped Dr. Holmes see a loss in John’s dopamine-producing neurons, which indicates Parkinson’s disease. The progressive neurological disorder affects a person’s motor functions and movements. 

At first, medication helped. But years after his diagnosis, John’s medications were barely effective.

“A big part of custom home building is your interaction with your client,” John said. “Meeting with the customer became somewhat of a problem.”

His tremors and involuntary mouth movements left him feeling embarrassed.

“I kind of went into a shell and didn't want to see people because they would make comments, particularly about the mouth movement,” he said. “You want to hide.”

Keep reading
Person holding baby sitting and speaking with another person

Highlights

Let’s Talk About Mom’s Mental Health

Being a mom* is hard. From the moment your baby is born, everything changes. New moms often feel tired, worried and overwhelmed. But sometimes, the feelings go beyond just being tired. Some moms experience serious mental health concerns—and we need to talk about it.

Maternal mental health means how a mother feels in her mind and heart during pregnancy and after giving birth. Many moms go through things like depression, anxiety or even scary thoughts. This is more common than people think. 1 in 5 moms experience perinatal depression. Mental health disorders—including substance overdose and suicide—are now the No. 1 cause of maternal death in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

There are some factors that can make it more likely for a mom to struggle with her mental health, including:

  • History of depression or anxiety
  • Difficult pregnancy or birth
  • Not having support from family or friends
  • Money problems or job stress
  • Feeling alone or not having time to rest
  • Race as a social construct (1 in 3 Black women may experience a mood disorder during or after pregnancy)

Even though many moms need help, it can be hard for them to access it. There are barriers to care, or things that can get in the way. Some moms are afraid to speak up because they worry people will think they are a bad parent. Others may not know where to go for help. Some moms don’t have health insurance or live far from a doctor. These problems can make it harder to get better. In addition, not all obstetrics clinicians have had sufficient training on the diagnosis and treatment of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs) and management of mental health medications during pregnancy and/or lactation. 

The good news: Help is out there. Mental health challenges after having a baby are treatable. And there are options that really work. Talking to a therapist—virtually or in person—can help moms feel heard and understood. Sometimes medicine can help too. Support groups, where moms can talk to each other, are also helpful. Getting rest, eating healthy and having help with the baby can make a big difference.

It’s very important that moms—and the people around them—know the signs of a mental health concern. Some signs to look for include:

  • Feeling very sad, angry or empty for days
  • Not wanting to eat or sleep
  • Feeling like you can’t bond with your baby
  • Having scary thoughts or feeling like you might hurt yourself or others

If you notice these signs in yourself or someone you love, speak up. It’s not a sign of weakness. It’s a sign of strength to ask for help. Every mom deserves to feel well and cared for.

Let’s be honest: Moms are superheroes. But even superheroes need support. We need to make sure that every mom knows she’s not alone. We must make it easier to talk about mental health. We must listen without judgment. And we must make sure help is easy to find.Healthy moms mean healthy families. When we take care of mothers, we take care of our whole community.

If you’re a mom who’s struggling, please know this: You are not alone. You are not to blame. And you can get better. Speak up, reach out and know that there are people who care and want to help. Ask your obstetrics care team and see these resources for moms and families.

Resources for patients and families

1. Postpartum Support International (PSI)

PSI offers education, training and resources for professionals working with families during the perinatal period. They also provide a clinician directory, helpline and certification programs.

Helpline: (800) 944-4773 (Text “HELLO” to (800) 944-4773)

2. Shades of Blue Project

This project focuses on maternal mental health support for Black and brown birthing people. They offer culturally competent resources, education and support groups and provide training opportunities for clinicians looking to improve care for underserved populations.

3. MotherToBaby

This organization provides expert, evidence-based information about medications and other exposures during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Their team also offers live chat and phone consultations.

Helpline: Call or text (866) 626-6847

Resources for clinicians

1. PEACE for Moms

This is a free psychiatric consultation service for Georgia clinicians caring for pregnant and postpartum patients. They offer provider-to-provider support on screening, diagnosis and treatment of perinatal mental health conditions.

2. Postpartum Support International Professional Resources

This group provides clinician training, consultation and certification in perinatal mental health. They also offer a perinatal psychiatric consultation service.

3. LactMed (Drugs and Lactation Database)

This is a National Institute of Health resource for up-to-date, evidence-based information on medications and their compatibility with breastfeeding.

Find a Wellstar behavioral health specialist near you or find a Wellstar OB/GYN.

*Mom and mothers are used throughout this article. However, I recognize and respect that not all birthing parents identify as female. At Wellstar, we believe in honoring every voice.

Keep reading
Two aortic specialists in Wellstar’s Comprehensive Aortic Program perform a complex aneurysm procedure together.

Highlights

Aortic Experts & AI Identify Thousands with Hidden Aneurysms

Wellstar’s Comprehensive Aortic Program has identified thousands of hidden aneurysms in the past two years. The goal of the program is to help people before their conditions become life-threatening.

Aortic aneurysms are bulges in the body’s largest blood vessel. They can burst and cause severe damage or death if they become too big. Unfortunately, most people never know they have one because they are typically asymptomatic until they rupture.

However, the aortic experts at Wellstar found a way to help people before they have an emergency.

“When patients have CT scans at Wellstar for other reasons, we use artificial intelligence (AI) to sift through them and find images of someone who may have aneurysm,” said Wellstar Cardiothoracic Surgeon Dr. James Ryan Burke. “That allows us to proactively contact them and bring them in if appropriate for evaluation to discuss that diagnosis.”

Since the program launch in July 2022, more than 4,700 people with aneurysms have been placed under surveillance—a protocol to monitor people who have a risk. Surveillance allows people to avoid undergoing unnecessary surgery but to know when the aneurysm grows larger and becomes a greater concern.

For people who had large, potentially life-threatening aneurysms, cardiovascular surgeons and vascular surgeons performed more than 700 advanced procedures at Wellstar Kennestone Regional Medical Center since the program began.

“These are major cardiac operations only performed in centers that offer complex aortic surgery,” Dr. Burke said. “The outcomes are best when done in experienced centers that do a high volume of procedures, like Wellstar Kennestone.”


Patient-centered aortic care

“This program is very patient-oriented. We have an excellent team of dedicated physicians at Wellstar to accomplish our mission and I think it’s very beneficial for both patients and physicians,” said Vascular Surgeon Dr. Michael Corey.

The aortic program at Wellstar provides a higher level of aortic care than a patient would typically find in a local hospital. What makes the program unique is:

  • The multispecialty team of aortic experts working together
  • The cutting-edge AI technology used to identify patients who are unaware they have an aneurysm
  • A high-tech hybrid operating room (OR) for open or minimally invasive procedures
  • The latest surgical techniques and technology
  • A high volume of procedures performed

“The aorta is the largest blood vessel in the body. It runs from the heart, through the chest and abdomen and down to the legs,” said Dr. Burke. “When you have a disease process involving the aorta, it requires multiple specialties.”

Wellstar’s specialized aortic team includes cardiovascular surgeons, vascular surgeons, cardiologists, anesthesiologists, radiologists, nurse practitioners and physician assistants.

There is also a cardiac hybrid OR that brings a catheterization lab and surgery suite together in one space, making aortic aneurysm treatment more efficient and encouraging collaboration between our expert providers.

“The hybrid OR is a state-of-the-art, innovative, open operating room where patients can receive complex aortic reconstructions—procedures that have open surgery components to them—as well as endovascular (or minimally invasive) aortic reconstructions. This all can take place in one nice operating room,” Dr. Corey said.

The aortic program is part of a larger heart care program at Wellstar, based at Wellstar Kennestone, the first in Georgia and the fourth in the nation to receive Comprehensive Cardiac Care Center Certification by The Joint Commission and American Heart Association. This is the highest certification in cardiovascular care.

 

Learn more or schedule an appointment with an aortic disease specialist.



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