Wellstar ENT & Allergy Care
Live comfortably, live well
When ear, nose or throat issues prevent you from living your fullest life, our Wellstar team is here to help. From allergy testing and treatment to hearing assistance and sleep medicine, our experts are committed to helping you achieve your best health.- Wellstar ENT and Allergy Care
- About
- Health Highlights
- Conditions We Treat
- Locations
- News
About Us
Improving Health and Enhancing Your Quality of Life
Whether you’re dealing with a common condition like seasonal allergies or want to better understand and address symptoms that concern you, we offer a full range of services to help you feel better. Our otolaryngologists specialize in diagnosing and treating disorders of the ears, nose and throat (ENT) in adults and children. Our specialists bring knowledge, experience and the expertise of the entire Wellstar team to your care. Getting an accurate diagnosis is the first step in getting treatment that will improve your symptoms so you can feel better sooner. At Wellstar, we offer a wide range of screening and testing options to pinpoint the source of your discomfort so your doctor can get you on the road to recovery.Our Care Team
Every ear, nose or throat condition is different, so each person’s treatment must be, as well. That’s why our skilled and caring team will work with you to find the treatment that’s best for your unique circumstances. At Wellstar, our ENT team includes board-certified physicians with specialty training in many different areas all working together to provide the best possible care for you and your loved ones. Because of the complex nature of many ear, nose and throat conditions, specialists like these may contribute to your care, including:Allergy Testing
Both persistent and seasonal allergies can create bothersome symptoms, such as nasal congestion, itchy nose and throat, or sneezing. Ear infections and recurring sinus problems may sometimes be linked to allergens, which are substances we encounter that are harmless to many people, but cause an uncomfortable, sometimes dangerous immune system reaction in others. We can evaluate your symptoms and provide testing if allergies are suspected. Once we determine the source of the problem, we offer education, medications and allergy shots to help you manage your condition and alleviate symptoms that disrupt your daily life.Hearing Testing and Assistive Devices
What we hear connects us to the world and the people around us. Our ears enable us to communicate, help us learn and keep us safe. It may come as a surprise to learn that hearing problems aren’t always easy to recognize. That’s why screenings at regular intervals are recommended to help identify hearing loss that might otherwise go undetected — and why your doctor may recommend one if you’re experiencing related symptoms. When hearing loss is identified, our Wellstar audiologists offer additional testing to better understand the cause of your hearing loss and its severity. Based on the results, your doctor can recommend treatment tailored to your unique needs, which may include assistive devices such as hearing aids, cochlear implants or bone-anchored hearing devices.Non-surgical Therapies
While there are a wide variety of medical treatments for ENT disorders, whenever possible we begin with the most conservative therapies to help you find relief. These include home remedies, lifestyle changes and medications, but, depending on your needs, might also include speech therapy, allergy shots or assistive hearing devices, for instance.Advanced Surgical Techniques
When surgery is your best treatment option, you can count on our expert ENT specialists to use the most advanced surgical procedures, including image-guided surgery and robotic procedures. In many cases, surgery can be performed with minimally invasive techniques. When compared to traditional open surgery, minimally invasive procedures often result in less discomfort, better results and a faster recovery.Health Highlights

How to Conquer Your Seasonal Allergies
Dr. Timothy Ryan, board-certified ENT specialist at Wellstar, offers tips for preventing and managing allergy symptoms with 95.5 WSB’s The Weekly Check-Up.
Learn more
Keep Your Head & Neck in Check
Talk to your healthcare provider about how you can take charge of your health to prevent oral, throat and thyroid cancers.
Learn more
Well Starts with Allergy Care
If you’re one of the more than 50 million Americans suffering from seasonal allergies, take back control of your health with help from Wellstar.
Learn more
Wellstar Experts Treat Head & Neck Cancers
At Wellstar, a care team of expert specialists supports the patient and their family through the head and neck cancer treatment process.
Learn more
Keep Your Seasonal Allergies Under Control
Wellstar knows every "Achoo!" can make it difficult to enjoy outside activities. Try these simple strategies to take control of your seasonal allergies.
Learn moreConditions We Treat
- Cochlear implants
- Bone-anchored hearing devices
- Acoustic neuroma
- Balance disorders/dizziness
- Cholesteatoma
- Ear infection
- Earache
- Earwax impaction
- Hearing loss
- Ruptured eardrum
- Swimmer’s ear
- Tinnitus
- Vertigo
- Allergies
- Asthma
- Chronic sinusitis
- Deviated septum
- Nosebleeds
- Post-nasal drip
- Rhinitis
Our Locations
Suite 230
Woodstock, GA 30189
Suite 705
LaGrange, GA 30240
Suite 203
Holly Springs, GA 30114
Suite 207
Marietta, GA 30062
Suite 220
Hiram, GA 30141
Suite 100
Smyrna, GA 30080
Suite 304
Griffin, GA 30224
Suite 7
Austell, GA 30106
Suite 100
Douglasville, GA 30134
Suite 340
Marietta, GA 30060
Suite 205
Smyrna, GA 30080
Suite 305
Acworth, GA 30101
Suite 101
Roswell, GA 30076
Suite 201B
Roswell, GA 30076
Suite 205
Smyrna, GA 30080
Suite 340
Marietta, GA 30060
News
Related Articles

PeopleCare
MariaCare
Maria Fernanda Ortiz was a college junior, pursuing a degree in interior design. But at just 26 years old, her life took an unexpected turn. She discovered a lump in her breast, which led to a cancer diagnosis and expert, multidisciplinary care at Wellstar that would shape her professional aspirations in the future. Maria feels her hopeful attitude and compassionate care team at Wellstar helped her come through treatment with positive outcomes.
Feeling heard in healthcare
After Maria discovered a lump, she initially saw a doctor who went through the motions but didn’t seem to take her concerns seriously.
“He was so sure it was nothing because I am so young,” she remembered. “I didn’t think it was cancer, but I wanted someone who would get to the bottom of it.”
She then saw her OB/GYN who referred her to Dr. Laura Pearson, a Wellstar breast surgeon at Wellstar North Fulton Cancer Center, for a second opinion.
Maria got what she was looking for: a doctor who listened and would help her find answers.
“Maria is the perfect example of a patient advocating for themselves,” Dr. Pearson said. “She did exactly what she was supposed to do for someone her age who finds a lump. When it didn’t go away, she got it looked at. When she didn’t feel like she was being heard, she didn’t let it go.”
A surprising cancer diagnosis
Dr. Pearson immediately performed an ultrasound in the office, followed quickly by a biopsy, which came back positive for cancer.
"The diagnosis was scary," Maria said. “Dr. Pearson made it as simple as possible to understand by making sketches. She took the time to answer my questions—and she gave me hugs.”
Dr. Pearson added, “I try hard to be methodical and build a story: ‘This is what this means. This is how it applies to you.’ It’s important for patients to understand their plan and how it’s based very specifically on their situation.”
Maria was diagnosed with stage 2A breast cancer, meaning it was a small tumor but had spread to a nearby lymph node.
“The stage helps us understand how the patient is going to do with standard treatment,” Dr. Pearson explained. “At stage 2A, we’re looking at a 90% survival rate.”

Highlights
Epilepsy Expert Explains Diagnosis and Treatment
Having or witnessing a seizure can be frightening. But clinicians have made remarkable advances in diagnosing the causes and preventing future seizures with medications and surgery. “Seizures often seem scarier to bystanders than to patients,” said Dr. Thomas Holmes, a Wellstar neurologist. “Most patients don’t even remember them.” Epilepsy is more common than many realize—about 1 in 26 people will be diagnosed in their lifetime. On WSB’s The Weekly Check-Up, Dr. Holmes explained how epilepsy is diagnosed, why not all seizures mean epilepsy and what treatments are available. As director of neurodiagnostics at Wellstar, Dr. Holmes helped Wellstar Kennestone Regional Medical Center earn Level 3 Adult Epilepsy Center accreditation, recognizing its advanced care for patients with hard-to-treat seizures.
Diagnosing epilepsy
According to Dr. Holmes, a seizure happens when there's an “abnormal firing of neurons in the brain.” This electrical disturbance can cause a range of symptoms—some more visible than others. A person having a seizure may briefly lose consciousness, and other signs can include:- Trouble breathing or temporarily stopping breathing
- Sudden falls without warning
- Jerking movements or a sudden loss of muscle control
- Loss of bladder or bowel control
- Not responding to sounds or voices for a few moments
- Staring spells, sometimes with rapid blinking
Medications and surgery for seizures and epilepsy
For most people with epilepsy, medication is the first and most effective treatment option. How long someone needs to stay on medication depends on several factors, including what’s causing the seizures and what clinicians find during ongoing monitoring. Sometimes a seizure is triggered by a specific event, like a head injury. In those cases, Dr. Holmes explained, long-term medication may not be necessary. But if tests reveal a structural issue in the brain—like an area of damage—it usually means a higher risk of future seizures and longer-term treatment is often recommended. “You don’t necessarily need to be on medication for life, even if you have epilepsy,” said Dr. Holmes. Patients are regularly monitored, treatment plans are highly personalized and care plans are revisited to ensure the best outcomes possible. “If someone has been seizure-free for two to three years, has a normal EEG and no visible brain lesion, we’ll often discuss tapering off medication if the patient is open to it,” he said. Some people may struggle with seizure control despite medication. About 10% of patients don’t respond well to drugs—but there are additional treatments available. Wellstar’s EMUs can help determine where in the brain seizures are starting. In some cases, surgery to remove a small area of brain tissue can significantly reduce or even stop seizures. According to Dr. Holmes, this approach is successful in nearly 70% of cases. Other advanced options include laser surgery or a responsive neurostimulation—when a small device is implanted in the brain to detect abnormal activity and deliver a pulse to stop a seizure before it starts. Looking ahead, Dr. Holmes is optimistic. “There are going to be many options that are not drug-related,” he said. “Less invasive procedures are on the rise, and we’re learning more about the genetic causes of epilepsy—especially in children. Research and clinical trials may even lead us to gene therapies in the near future.” Epilepsy care is evolving rapidly, and for many patients, that means more control, fewer side effects, and real hope for the future.Epilepsy and Seizures Program at Wellstar
Our Epilepsy and Seizures Program is one of only a few such programs in Georgia. It provides comprehensive care to help children and adults manage seizures. The program also offers a streamlined pathway to determine if a patient is a candidate for advanced treatments, including minimally invasive surgery and deep brain stimulation. Wellstar Children's Hospital of Georgia and Wellstar MCG Health in Augusta are Level 4 Comprehensive Epilepsy Centers, the highest designation by the National Association of Epilepsy Centers. Wellstar Kennestone is a Level 3 Adult Epilepsy Center. Learn more about the Epilepsy and Seizures Program and Wellstar providers.
PeopleCare
KatieCare
The crash that changed everything
Katie was involved in a car accident on Georgia State Route 400 that sent her to Wellstar North Fulton in critical condition. She had suffered a traumatic brain injury, a lacerated spleen and multiple fractures—including to her ribs, left ankle and pelvis. Wellstar North Fulton is specially equipped to care for patients like Katie. Designated a Level II Trauma Center by the Georgia Department of Public Health and American College of Surgeons, the hospital serves the Northeast Atlanta community with immediate surgical intervention, 24/7 trauma coverage and seamless coordination across specialties. “When they first brought her in, she was obviously severely injured in multiple areas,” said Dr. Stephen McBride, a trauma and general surgeon at Wellstar. “She had a large scalp laceration that was bleeding. We also noticed significant internal bleeding from her spleen and multiple pelvic fractures.” A CT scan revealed a buildup of fluid in Katie’s abdomen, likely blood. She was taken straight to the operating room for what Dr. McBride called a “damage control operation.” “We opened her abdomen and took her spleen out, which was very severely injured,” he said. “Then it was a matter of getting her stable.” The surgery was a success—but it was only the beginning. Katie spent the next 10 days on a ventilator in the ICU. During her 19-day stay, she underwent multiple procedures and received care from a collaborative, multidisciplinary team: trauma surgery, neurosurgery, orthopedics, therapy and nursing.Finding clarity and compassion
Katie’s parents, Mary Lou and Jeff Fox, flew in from Virginia as soon as they learned about the accident—first alerted by a message from Katie’s smart watch. Jeff recalls speaking with Dr. McBride before takeoff and again after landing. “He was keeping us updated with what was going on with Katie from the start,” he said. At Wellstar North Fulton, the couple were met with empathy and reassurance under unthinkable circumstances. “When we got in, they took us straight to Katie,” Jeff said. “I didn’t know what to expect. It was probably the hardest moment of my life—seeing my baby there.” Katie was unconscious and on a ventilator, but her care team made space for both expert treatment and emotional support. Jeff remembers nurses and even the front desk team checking on them constantly—offering updates, comfort and prayer. One quiet act of compassion stood out. “The night of Katie’s accident, we stayed in the room with her,” said Mary Lou. “But her boyfriend, her roommate and a friend stayed in the waiting room. We don’t know who it was, but one of the caregivers placed blankets over each of them while they slept.” That moment—and so many others—confirmed they were in the right place. “I’ll never forget the love and care we received,” Mary Lou said.Milestones that mattered
Amid the uncertainty of Katie’s condition, small moments brought glimmers of hope. From the way her vital signs responded to blood transfusions to the subtle movements that followed, each step forward reminded her care team and loved ones that she was still fighting. One emotional turning point came when her boyfriend, Will Henley, sat with her for the first time since the accident. “I started talking to her about my day, and she opened her eyes,” he said. “I immediately asked her nurse if she had done that for anyone else and she said no. It wasn't much, but it was all I needed to keep my faith.” Even while unconscious, Katie’s team spoke to her directly. “That was very special,” Mary Lou said. “Her doctors always included her in conversations about her care.” Wellstar Neurosurgeon Dr. Benjamin Zussman became one of her biggest cheerleaders, celebrating every sign of progress. “We were exhausted and reality was beginning to set in,” Mary Lou said. “His enthusiasm helped us so much.” Slowly, Katie began following motion with her eyes. At one point, she mouthed lyrics to Taylor Swift songs when Will played them at her bedside. Throughout her time in the ICU, Katie’s care extended far beyond medicine. Nurses Sarah Kozarcanin and Sydney Dawson spent hours gently washing Katie’s hair to carefully clean around her head wound. “That was an act of love that was above and beyond to me,” Jeff recalled.Care united by purpose
As Katie came off the ventilator and slowly regained strength, the therapy team stepped in to help her sit up and begin basic movements. Her parents saw how seamlessly everyone worked together. Dr. McBride credits the hospital’s collaborative approach. “Our hospital does a great job having the appropriate consultants available—neurosurgeons for severe brain injury, orthopedic surgeons for severe musculoskeletal injury and, of course, trauma surgeons, physician assistants (PA) and nurse practitioners who care for our patients from start to finish,” he said. “And then there are the therapists, social workers and case managers—all of whom play a key role in recovery.” Jeff especially appreciated how the team included him and Mary Lou in the process. “Every morning, all the departments involved in Katie’s care would meet,” he said. “They’d always ask, ‘Do you want to join us?’ They valued our input.”Looking ahead with hope
Katie was discharged and transferred to inpatient rehabilitation, where her memory gradually returned. She and her family celebrated every milestone—especially the day she no longer needed a wheelchair. “Walking again felt like I gained a lot of freedom back,” Katie said. Just over four months later, she was back to work, driving and living independently. She credits her recovery to her care team, family and Will—now her fiancé. “His unwavering support and love during those months showed me that he would be the perfect husband,” Katie said. “If he could be my anchor and love me through that, I knew he would love me through anything.” Katie also discovered a new sense of purpose. “This confirmed every desire I had to become a PA,” she said. “I think it will give me a different connection to patients.” In the months after her discharge, Katie returned to the ICU several times to meet the people she had heard so much about—but hadn’t been able to remember. “Each time we visited, they’d say, ’You can go in the back way—you’re like family now,’” Mary Lou said with a smile. For Katie’s family, the hospital’s trauma survivor reception brought closure and gratitude. “We had always wanted to meet the first responders who got her out of the car and to the hospital,” said Jeff. "It was awesome that we finally had that opportunity.” “Seeing good outcomes is the best part of my job, without a doubt,” said Dr. McBride, who attended the event. “For someone like Katie—young, healthy and just in the wrong place at the wrong time—it’s rewarding to see her get her life back.” Katie’s story is a testament to the power of expert trauma care, teamwork and hope. “I will forever be grateful for the care, kindness and love the people at Wellstar North Fulton gave my family and me,” Katie said. “We will never forget any of them.” Learn more about trauma services at Wellstar.We use cookies for booking and general analytics. Learn more about or internet privacy policy.