Wellstar Pediatric Care
Partnering with parents for personalized child & adolescent care
Offering a seamless continuum of care throughout every stage of your child's life, from infancy through young adulthood. Using the latest technology, state-of-the-art diagnostics and innovative therapies our pediatric experts are well-equipped to treat common everyday illness, as well as complex childhood diseases and conditions.
About
Child & Adolescent Care at Wellstar
Wellstar partners with parents to deliver personalized, world-class care for children and young adults. We work closely with other child health specialists throughout Georgia to ensure your child has exactly what they need.
From wellness check-ups and immunizations to chronic and complex conditions, our team members customize treatment plans to create a comfortable family-friendly environment that encourages health and healing. Our child and adolescent experts manage the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of their patients from toddler to teen in good health or during times of illness.
We keep good healthcare close to your home, with many convenient locations, and deliver pediatric-specific care in Wellstar offices, physical therapy offices, urgent care centers and dedicated pediatric emergency departments at Wellstar Cobb, Douglas, Paulding and Kennestone medical centers.
Our Care Philosophy
Wellstar Child & Adolescent Care focuses completely on each child and their family to cultivate an environment of warmth, compassion and healing. We do everything with children in mind. Our pediatric team understands that children are not just smaller adults. Their emotional and physical needs are different and we use specialized equipment and techniques that are made for kids to help them get well sooner. No matter what your child’s health condition, you can be confident in our experience and skill in treating it.
Our Care Team
Working together, our pediatric experts across various specialties collaborate to develop a customized evaluation and treatment plan. Each child and their family is a key part of our team, allowing us to offer individualized care. You, as a parent, are essential to the health of your child, that is why we care for the entire family.
Child Life Specialists
Child Life Specialists are experts that can help children and their families overcome life’s most challenging events, and ensure that everything remains as normal as possible for children experiencing difficult or new environments. Child Life Specialists focus on providing coping mechanisms for children in stressful situations. They promote effective coping through play, self-expression activities and age-appropriate medical preparation and education.Wellstar Foundation
As a not-for-profit, gifts to the Wellstar Foundation make it possible to provide patients with additional resources and amenities for a higher level of comfort and care. Every dollar donated supports Wellstar’s vision of delivering world-class healthcare, carried out through patient-centered programs, advancements in technology and making reliable healthcare available close to home. Your generosity also makes it possible to provide free screenings and diagnostic services to uninsured and underinsured patients every year. For more information about how to support our fight against disease, visit the Wellstar Foundation.
Services
- Emergency Care
- Imaging
- Physical Therapy
- Allergy & Immunology
- Anesthesia
- Burn Center
- Cardiology
- Dermatology
- ENT
- Inpatient Pediatric Unit
- Neurology
- NICU
- Orthopedic Radiology
- Urology
Locations
Pediatric News
Highlights
Wellstar Offers Advanced Colorectal Cancer Care Close to Home
When a Wellstar patient is diagnosed with colorectal cancer, their multidisciplinary care team works with them to create a personalized care plan, with advanced, expert treatment available at every step of the cancer journey.
Innovative surgery options
Robotic surgeries offer patients several benefits such as less recovery pain, less blood loss, fewer complications and shorter hospital stays, or for some outpatient procedures, no hospital stay at all. That means patients can start living cancer-free sooner and get back to their routines and the activities they enjoy.
About 85% of colorectal cancer surgeries at Wellstar are now robotic procedures, said Wellstar Surgical Oncologist Dr. Sartaj Sanghera.
“Robotic surgery has really provided us the tools as far as the instruments and vision so that a larger cohort of surgeons in general, colorectal surgeons and surgical oncologists have been able to adopt the technology,” Dr. Sanghera said.
Patients with smaller, early-stage tumors may be candidates for transanal minimally invasive surgery, known as TAMIS. Rather than making an incision in the abdomen to remove a tumor, the surgeon is able to access the tumor through the anus.
“It is working through a natural orifice, through the anus. It’s not actually poking a hole in the belly,” Dr. Sanghera said. “It’s really minimally invasive.”
TAMIS is usually offered as an outpatient surgery with no hospital stay. It has been especially helpful in treating patients who may be at higher risk with traditional surgery due to their age or comorbidities, Dr. Sanghera said.
New approach to treatment is improving outcomes
The colorectal cancer experts at Wellstar have adopted a relatively new approach to treatment called total neoadjuvant therapy, or TNT — making surgery the last step in the cancer treatment process. Patients receive chemotherapy and radiation first, then finish treatment with surgery.
“Recognizing that rectal cancer is a systemic disease, with risks of spreading to other parts of the body, we have evolved in our management of rectal cancer, offering an operation as the last step in the treatment process,” said Wellstar Surgical Oncologist Dr. Sahir Shroff.
Wellstar has seen positive results with this technique.
“We have adopted that approach for nearly all patients now,” said Wellstar Hematologist and Oncologist Dr. John French. “We are seeing that if you do that approach, it’s safe, more patients are able to complete all the therapy lines, and we are noticing an increase in pathologic complete response rates.”
Pathologic complete response describes the absence of any detectable cancer cells in a tissue sample following a particular treatment. It refers to the absence of cancer cells in the area of the body where the tumor was originally located, as well as anywhere the cancer may have spread.
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy is based on the concept that a patient’s own immune system can fight their cancer.
When given, immunotherapy drugs wake up the patient’s own immune system to recognize and fight the cancer.Colorectal cancer patients are screened for four proteins that help with DNA repair. If these proteins are missing or mutated, the patient is more likely to respond to immunotherapy.
While immunotherapy has been groundbreaking in the treatment of stage 4 colorectal cancer, only about 15% of patients are found to be eligible for the treatment based on their protein screenings, Dr. French said.
If you are interested in immunotherapy, ask your provider about your care options.
Top-of-the-line rectal cancer care
Wellstar Kennestone Regional Medical Center has received accreditation from the National Accreditation Program for Rectal Cancer (NAPRC), a quality program of the American College of Surgeons.
To achieve voluntary NAPRC accreditation, a rectal center must demonstrate compliance with the NAPRC standards addressing program management, clinical services and quality improvement for patients. Centers are required to establish a multidisciplinary rectal cancer team that includes clinical representatives from surgery, pathology, radiology, radiation oncology and medical oncology.
Accreditation by the NAPRC is granted only to those programs that are committed to providing the best possible care to patients with rectal cancer.
Your cancer care team at Wellstar will advocate for you to receive the most effective treatment possible.
Highlights
9 Things You Need to Know About Type 2 Diabetes
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 1 in 10 Americans have diabetes. Of that group, 90-95% have type 2 diabetes. Because this condition often develops in people over 45, getting screened and getting the best treatment to live your healthiest life is essential.
"Diabetes is a chronic and complex condition, and treatments are continuously changing," said Georgia A Forrest, Wellstar primary care physician. "Teaming up with a primary care provider who personalizes your care plan to you and everything that makes you unique should be a top priority."
Whether you currently have type 2 diabetes, a family history of the disease or feel concerned about your overall well-being, you can take proactive steps to manage your health. Here are some key facts to help you better understand the relationship between diabetes and good health.
1. Undiagnosed diabetes costs you money & health
Not knowing you have diabetes carries high medical costs. Undiagnosed diabetes can increase your risk for death and other medical issues.
Diabetes was the eighth leading cause of death in 2021, the most recent data reported by the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force. And according to the American Diabetes Association, having diabetes doubles your risk for heart disease and stroke — heart disease is the number one killer in the U.S.
2. A diagnosis and personalized treatment can save your life
Knowing you have diabetes and then working to manage your blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol effectively can lower your risk of death and help you live a better quality of life.
3. Getting screened for diabetes is easy
The U.S. Preventative Services Task Force now recommends getting screened with a simple blood test at the age of 35 for people with no symptoms but who are overweight or obese. Even if you have no signs or family history of diabetes, it can lurk in your numbers. Getting screened can help you catch it early and even prevent it altogether.
Consider getting screened for diabetes if you:
- Are obese or overweight
- Are physically inactive
- Have a parent or full sibling with diabetes
- Are an African American, Latino, Native American, Asian American or Pacific Islander
- Have a history of cardiovascular disease
- Have hypertension
- Have blood work that shows an HDL of less than 35 mg/dl or triglycerides greater than 250 mg/dl
- Have a diagnosis of polycystic ovarian syndrome
- Have other medical conditions that lead to insulin resistance
4. Some people have pre-diabetes
If your screening shows that you have pre-diabetes, your blood sugar levels run higher than average but aren't within the range of type 2 diabetes. However, you have an increased risk of getting type 2 diabetes.
Identifying that diabetes is around the corner can help you stop it before it starts.
5. Diabetes treatment plans should be unique
When crafting a plan to address diabetes, the conversation must be about more than the numbers.
"Additional diseases or conditions you may be experiencing in conjunction with your diabetes should also become part of your individualized health plan," Dr. Forrest said.
A complete medical history helps your healthcare provider understand how other medications and treatments may interact with your symptoms and treatments related to type 2 diabetes.
6. Lifestyle modifications can make a big impact on diabetes
Lifestyle modifications may involve slight changes to your weight, the amount of exercise you get, your diet and even your sleeping patterns.
Changes don't have to be major. For instance, your doctor may suggest you lose around 10 pounds and exercise for 30 minutes five days a week.
Our primary care providers work with patients one-on-one but can also refer patients with pre-diabetes and diabetes to Wellstar Diabetes Services to help prevent the onset or manage the effects of diabetes.
7. S.M.A.R.T. diabetes treatment plans
According to Dr. Forrest, your overall plan should include "specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and timely (S.M.A.R.T.) goals and involve shared decision-making between you and your care provider. There should be plenty of follow-ups to keep the conversation fluid and open to modification."
8. Know your numbers — and acronyms (A1C, CGM, TIR)
Should your screening lead to a type 2 diabetes diagnosis, conversations with your health providers will focus on several acronyms and numbers.
“Know your ABCD’s of diabetes,” said Dr. Forrest. “Your A1C, blood pressure, cholesterol and the medications you are taking. Knowing these facts about your health will be key to your success.”
• A = Hemoglobin A1C goal is <7
• B = Blood pressure goal is <130/80
• C = Cholesterol goal is to keep bad cholesterol <100
• D = Drugs
Keeping the A1C low and within an optimal range will help prevent complications like eye damage, blindness, kidney failure and nerve damage.
A mainstay for type 2 diabetes management centers around constant glucose level monitoring. Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) provides readings every few minutes via a sensor inserted just below your skin. Monitoring glucose is a common way to help regulate insulin in your body, giving you the readings you need to self-adjust with insulin when appropriate. Average glucose levels should be 100 mg/dl or lower though they can increase if you've just eaten.
New developments introduced the importance of tracking Time in Range (TIR). Along with monitoring your glucose levels, TIR may impact your customized plan for maintenance. According to Dr. Forrest, the goal for TIR is 70% or more.
9. Receive individualized diabetes care at Wellstar
For diabetes management, a personalized, proactive approach can make all the difference. Wellstar's primary care providers are here to partner with you to help prevent or manage diabetes, heart disease and many other conditions.
"A true patient-centered approach for managing diabetes is the key to the future of this disease," Dr. Forrest said. "Get screened and speak up when it comes to your care. Opportunities for personalized and individualized medicine should be a part of your treatment plan as you move forward."
Find a primary care provider near you.
Highlights
Well Starts with Clean Colons
For many people, talking about colon health can be a little uncomfortable. However, medical issues don’t just go away if you ignore them.
Being proactive about your well-being with preventative care can help catch colorectal cancer or another serious condition early, often before it becomes a bigger problem.
Wellstar is committed to keeping your colon healthy with preventative screenings and expert care, so you can continue to live well.
Catch colorectal cancer early
Early detection is the best prevention, especially when it comes to colon cancer. If caught early, colorectal cancer has a survival rate of 91%.
“Colon cancer is the second most common cause of cancer death in the United States, so it’s very important that everyone gets screened,” said Dr. Cameron Body, Wellstar gastroenterologist. “For an average risk person, screenings should begin at age 45.”
Those with a higher risk or family history of colorectal cancer may need to start screening even sooner. Talk with your provider to start a screening schedule — and stick with it to stay ahead of the disease.
Schedule your colonoscopy today.
Why colonoscopies work
During a colonoscopy, your physician will view the inside or your colon and look for polyps or any other abnormal tissue that could be cancerous. This preventative testing is key to catching colorectal issues at the start.
“A colonoscopy is the gold standard when screening for colon cancer. The procedure itself is not painful, and we make sure you’re comfortable throughout the process,” Dr. Body said.
“The goal is to do a high-quality exam with a good prep to find polyps when they’re small and get them removed to minimize the risk of them subsequently developing into cancer,” Dr. Body explained.
“For colon cancer, it takes a polyp about five to 15 years to evolve into an invasive cancer,” shared Dr. Carmen Klass, oncologist and hematologist with Northwest Georgia Oncology Centers. “If you have a colonoscopy every five to ten years, they can remove the polyp and it will never be declared an invasive cancer.”
“In fact, if all Americans did their screening colonoscopies every five to ten years, then the death rate for colorectal cancer would drop by 50%,” Dr. Klass shared, urging people not to put off the preventative screening.