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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 Services


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News


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Orthopedic Advice for the Weekend Warrior

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

Learn more
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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Limb Lengthening and Deformity Correction

Mending the bent and broken

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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
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Ryan Fitzgerald, DPM
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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
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Peter Johnson, MD
Orthopedic Surgeon
Allison Jones, PA
Physician Assistant
Steven Kane, MD
Orthopedic Surgeon
Ashish Kapila, DPM
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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
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Manish Noticewala, MD
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Timothy Oswald, MD
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Nilay Patel, MD
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Albert Pendleton, MD
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Michael Priola, DO
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Michael Quackenbush, DO
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Mohammad Qureshi, DPM
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Jeremy Reifsnyder, DO
Orthopedic Surgeon
Jamie Sachs, PA
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Steven Schulenborg, MD
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David Smith, MD
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Eric Steenlage, MD
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More Articles
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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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Highlights

Wellstar’s Atherton Place Honors 80 Years of Love and Service with Ray and Ellie Williams

Cheers and history intertwined on Friday, August 15, 2025, as Ray and Ellie Williams—both proud U.S. Navy veterans—marked an extraordinary milestone: their 80th wedding anniversary. Their remarkable love story began on one of the most pivotal days in American history, when Japan announced its surrender, bringing World War II to a close and ushering in a new era of peace.

Ray, now 101, served 21 years in the Navy, including during WWII and the Korean War. Ellie, who will turn 100 on August 31, proudly served in the WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service) program, a pioneering initiative for women in the U.S. Navy Reserve. The two met in April of 1945 when Ray returned from the Pacific and was sent to the Navy headquarters in Gainesville, Ga., where Ellie worked in the administration office. They married after a whirlwind four-month courtship.

A friendly image of Ray and Ellie

The couple exchanged vows on August 15, 1945, the same day Japan announced its surrender, marking the beginning of peace and the end of a global conflict. Their wedding day, linked to V-J Day (Victory over Japan Day), has become a symbol of love, sacrifice and the enduring strength of the human spirit.

Ray and Ellie remember their wedding day well. “It was a wonderful day,” said Ellie. “All the guys were celebrating that the war was over.”

“The mood in the nation was ultimate joy and relief,” said Ray. “And, of course, we had the personal joy of being newlyweds, so it was a double-joy for us.” 

Now residents of Wellstar’s Atherton Place, Ray and Ellie were among the honorees at a special ceremony on Friday, hosted by the community. The event, which also paid tribute to the many veterans who call Atherton Place home, brought together family, friends, fellow residents and Wellstar team members to celebrate not only the couple’s milestone, but also the legacy of service that defines the community.

The ceremony included a proclamation by Marietta Mayor Steve Tumlin, who declared August 15, 2025, as “Ray and Ellie Williams Day.”

“Their commitment to each other is truly inspiring,” said Anita Perkins, manager of resident care at Atherton Place. “It’s an honor to care for them and to celebrate their incredible bond with our entire community.”

Located on the campus of Wellstar Kennestone Regional Medical Center, Atherton Place offers a vibrant and supportive environment for seniors, several of whom are veterans. The event highlighted the community’s commitment to honoring its residents’ lives and legacies.

Keep reading
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PeopleCare

MarioCare

Being proactive with his heart health proved lifesaving for Marion “Mario” Stokes—and paved the way for a minimally invasive artery replacement procedure that has given him renewed energy to do what he loves.

Catching a heart concern 

Mario enjoyed a busy career as an attorney practicing commercial litigation. He also stayed active throughout his life, serving as a Navy Judge Advocate General Corps officer, becoming a certified scuba divemaster, and enjoying photography and studying history. When he noticed he was out of breath frequently—and his smart watch notified him of an irregular heartbeat—he discussed his symptoms with his primary care physician. 

An electrocardiogram detected a leaky aortic valve, and after discussion with his care team at Wellstar Center for Cardiovascular Care, Mario decided to proceed with a transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR).

Advanced, minimally invasive surgery

Aortic stenosis occurs when the aortic valve narrows, preventing normal flow of blood from the left ventricle, also known as the pumping chamber of the heart, to the aorta and the rest of the body. Over time, this narrowing causes the heart’s left ventricle to pump harder to push blood through the stenotic aortic valve.

“TAVR is an amazing technology offering a minimally invasive alternative to open-heart surgery,” said Wellstar Cardiologist Dr. Nabil Sabbak, who performed Mario’s procedure at Wellstar Kennestone Regional Medical Center. “The valve is delivered through a small catheter via a tiny incision in the groin, eliminating the need to open the chest or stop the heart. This approach is lower-risk for many patients and allows for a quicker recovery with less pain.”

Most patients are walking within hours of the procedure and leave the hospital within 24 hours, according to Dr. Sabbak. Many people return to daily activities within a week.

“I’m very sensitive to pain, but nothing ever hurt,” Mario said about his procedure.

‘It’s like a new heart’

Mario said his valve replacement has given him more energy than he had before, allowing him to enjoy his retirement and time with family. The improvement is evident in his regular walks around his neighborhood and exercise at Wellstar Health Place.

“There's a steep hill that's near our house. Before the procedure, I couldn't walk up the hill without stopping at least once or twice to pause and get my breath,” he said. “Now I can just walk right up—no problem. It's made a huge difference in my life."

He stays busy with his fiancée and their three-year-old granddaughter—taking her on trips to the zoo, botanical gardens and nature center—as well as visiting his two children in Las Vegas and Philadelphia.

“It's like a new heart. It's unbelievable really,” Mario said. “I slept twice as much before. Sometimes I'd sleep 10 or 12 hours a night and then maybe take a nap. I was really out of energy.”

He is also building strength at cardiac rehabilitation three times a week at Wellstar Vinings Health Park, as well as continuing treatment with his Wellstar heart care team.

“I have been super pleased with Wellstar,” Mario said. “The folks there are very professional, and they have a wonderful combination of intelligence, education and caring, from the receptionists to the nurses, physician assistants and doctors.”

Learn more about heart care at Wellstar.

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Mario Stokes

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